Odors are usually caused by the decomposition of organic material. The dust that accumulates in empty rooms, along with other types of dirt will mix with the air and give it an unpleasant smell.
However, if you take some simple steps to control household odors, this unpleasant smell can be avoided. Household odors can cause respiratory problems, so it is important to control them. Some effects of household odor on health are:
- Irritations in the nose, throat, and trachea.
- Development of asthma or persistent cough.
- Aggravation of allergies to pollen, animal hair, etc.
- Aggravation of allergic reactions to dust mites, their feces, and body parts that they carry on them.
While we know that sometimes we cannot avoid smells in our home, there are steps you can take to control household odors. Here’s how:
Table of Contents
Clean thoroughly
Clean in all areas where there is organic material (dust). Vacuum carpets and furniture to remove dust, dirt, animal feces, or food bits. Wash upholstery in your house with detergents that are free of perfume.
Wash walls with detergents that are not too abrasive. Bleach the walls if you have mold on them, but make sure it is diluted because bleach can damage surfaces. Wipe hard surfaces (tables, counters) with a solution made of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach.
Clean all appliances that produce smells: ovens, microwaves, refrigerators. If they are dirty inside, clean them out before using them again. If odors persist after cleaning appliances, try leaving an open box of baking soda near the appliance for one night. You can deodorize and clean your carpets with vinegar solutions (1 cup water + 1/2 cup vinegar) once a week if possible, more often if they are heavily soiled.
Clean up accidents immediately. Whether your pet peed on the carpet or your toddler decorated the wall with crayons, it’s important to clean up messes as soon as possible. It will be harder to remove them if you let it be.
Avoid strong-smelling foods
Avoid cooking curries, fish, or other types of food that can leave strong smells in your home. You should also avoid smoking indoors if you want to control household odors. Eating strong-smelling food and smoking indoors can cause serious health problems.
You can clean refrigerators inside and out once a week with hot water and baking soda (1 cup water + 1/2 cup vinegar + 2 tbsp baking soda) then wipe with a clean cloth with no perfume on it or paper towels before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.
Adhere to Waste Disposal Rules
Adhere to organic waste disposal rules of local authorities. If possible place them outside the house (in the yard). Keep trash cans tightly closed; do not allow the lid to slam down on garbage. Bag your garbage so that it cannot release bad odors.
Open Windows And Doors
Keeping the air circulating in your house will help to control household odors. Open all doors and windows for a few minutes every day to let fresh air in. If you live near the sea, open your windows when salty breezes are present to refresh the smells in your home.
Use fans or dehumidifiers when it is humid inside your house to reduce humidity levels, or deodorants and vaporizers (a machine that emits vapor). Deodorants and vaporizers work like magic if applied properly: they attract and absorb smells and then let them go outside with the rest. You can also circulate some coffee beans around objects in rooms with unpleasant smells to make them smell good again!
Check For Mold Infestation
Household odors can cause respiratory problems, so it is important to control them. If you have mold in your house, you should contact your local health office to test for mold if you suspect your house is contaminated because household odors are often caused by mold infestation.
Mold could be found on wet walls and around windows if they are not properly sealed or installed, or under carpets and furniture (if walls and ceilings aren’t waterproofed). You should remove all carpets and upholstery to check for mold.
You should also contact professional cleaners who will conduct a mold testing procedure and help you get rid of it by spraying disinfectants inside. If the presence of mold is very heavy, they will help you in removing all surfaces and objects where mold could grow.
Do Not Keep Dirty Laundry Lying Around
Keep your dirty laundry in its hamper and not on the floor. If you do not have room for a hamper, make sure that dirty laundry is taken to the washing machine as soon as possible. The longer it lies around, the more it will give off bad scents.
Here are some tips on how to control household odors. If you follow these helpful tips, your house will be free of bad smells in no time! While they can sometimes be hard to get rid of, these tricks will help you keep the smells under control.
Meta title: Guide to Eliminating Home Odors
meta desc: Home odor removal starts with understanding where foul smells come from and knowing the best ways to remove them. This guide can help you with that.