“What’s that Smell?” - Eliminating Odors
Cooking Contamination
If an oily or smoky smell is haunting you (often the results of a cooking experiment gone bad) odds are the smell has been absorbed by fabric items in your home. Clean the drapes, blinds and carpeting first. Use a spray odor neutralizer made specifically for fabrics. If the smell still lingers, the only way to remove it may be through thermo-fogging, a process that can only be done by professionals. If the smell came from a neighboring apartment, or was there when you moved in, talk to your landlord. If you knew about the smell when you signed the lease, you may be stuck with either living with the odor or paying to have it removed.
Sour Scent
A “hotel room” like odor can be very frustrating as it is more difficult to identify where it may be coming from.
- Start out with the simplest solution: an air spray like Febreeze works for many apartment-dwellers who have smelled a light but consistent odor. You can also try leaving a bowl of white vinegar out for 24-48 hours (vinegar absorbs odor).
- If the scent seems to be coming from the carpet, try cleaning it with a steam cleaner, add Oxyclean to the cleaning solution for optimal scent control.
- Moldy smells near the walls may be cleared up by washing the walls with a water-bleach solution of 1:10, or 1:4 if the smell is very strong.
- If you live in the right climate, an air conditioner can work wonders as it filters the air in your apartment.
Cigarette Stench
Try these solutions to rid your apartment of this annoying smell.
- Place a bowl of white vinegar or activated charcoal in the room and leave it there for 24-48 hours. Both substances will absorb the smell.
- Spray baking soda on carpets and rugs and leave it overnight. Vacuum it up the next morning.
- To rid the air of the smell, wave a rag soaked in vinegar around the room.
- For small items like hats or pillows, place the item in a sealed bag with some dryer sheets and let it sit overnight or until the smell is gone.
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