“What’s that Smell?” - Eliminating Odors
Your apartment can retain a smell, bad or good, longer than a house will because an apartment usually has less ventilation. If you burn your popcorn, or discover a moldy, smelly “something” in the back of your fridge, don’t feel that you need to walk around with a clothes pin on your nose. Instead, eliminate the stink with these tips:
Microwave Mystery
To get rid of that penetrating food odor that greets you full-force every time you try to nuke something, follow these steps:
- Unplug the microwave and unfasten the cabinet body using a screwdriver. Slide it back slightly to clear any internal brackets and then lift it off.
- Clean the oven using a vacuum that has a crevice tool attachment. Vacuum the fan, all the internal parts and the vents on all sides of the chamber. Do not put your hands or any metal parts into the chamber as this can cause shock.
- Reassemble the oven and plug it back in.
- Fill a bowl with half water and half vinegar and microwave it on high for five minutes. The vinegar solution will loosen food particles so that you can easily wipe them out with a moist cloth or paper towel.
If the smell doesn’t go away, you may have burning electrical parts. This should be handled by a professional. Odds are, it might be less expensive to buy a new microwave rather than pay to have it repaired.
Pet Problems
- If urine is the problem, use vinegar or a urine neutralizer that is available in most pet stores.
- If the smell persists and/or is embedded in your walls, treat the area with a fast-drying sealer that can be bought at a home improvement store. This will contain the smell and keep the odors from spreading.
- If you don’t have a pet and realize the smell is left over from a previous owner, contact your landlord. This way, you’re going on record stating that it didn’t come from you and your security deposit won’t be at risk.
Musty Aroma
A musty smell is caused by the microorganisms associated with moisture or air that is not being circulated. To eliminate the smell you need to find where the moisture is coming from. When you locate the moisture, use an antimicrobial spray to control or stop the growth of the microorganisms. Also try opening your windows wide on dry days to allow air to circulate.
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