How to Deodorize a Room

We've all been there. Your room has "acquired" a smell, and you just can't seem to get rid of it. Things that are clean generally shouldn't smell, but some odors have a way of getting all over everything. This article explains several ways that really work to lessen odors in a room, in order of effectiveness and relative ease. Use the ones that seem most appropriate to your situation, but for really bad odors it may be worth using multiple methods to attack the smell. Finally, don't panic; these suggested solutions really do work. With a little time and effort the odor can be significantly reduced in a couple of days.

Steps

Using Nature's Fresheners

1. Open the window. Unless you think the odor is coming from outdoors, let in fresh air and sunlight. They will work together to lessen any strong smell. If nothing else, opening a window will make the rest of the cleanup more bearable. This is a very important step, as nothing else helps get rid of odors better than fresh air.
   
   • If the weather simply doesn't permit, try to ventilate the room some other way, such as by turning on a fan ducted to the outdoors.
2. If possible, take smelly items outside to air out in the sunshine. Bring them in at night. Do a sniff test. If one of the items is the cause of the odor, don't put it back in the room. Deal with it appropriately: pitch, steam clean, re-upholster, etc.
   

Removing the Source

1. Remove the source of the odor. Don't go to the trouble to remove an odor from an area if its cause is still present, making more. Take out the trash, bathe the dog, clean out the fridge, or do whatever it takes to stop any more odor from being created.
   
2. Check air vents and wall outlets for odor sources. A dead mouse in the wall will smell up the whole room, but will be most noticeable around a wall outlet. You will either have to wait months for that to go away or you'll have to remove part of the wall to get to the remains. You'll also have to seal the hole into the wall (likely in the attic) where the mouse entered.
   

Cleaning to Deodorize

1. Vacuum the room. This includes not only carpets, but also upholstery and curtains. If you like, you can sprinkle baking soda or a carpet deodorizer into the carpets first. Give it some time to absorb oils and smells, then thoroughly vacuum it out, making several passes. Carpet deodorizers often come with their own scent which also stays around for a while, so make sure you pick one with a scent you actually like. Vacuuming also pulls dust and debris out of the carpets.
   
   • Be sure to change the vacuum bag regularly when cleaning up odorous areas.
2. Wash hard surfaces. This includes glossy paint, hard flooring, walls (glossy/semigloss paint only), counter tops, sinks, tables, and the like. Any mild cleaner that will remove oils without damaging the surface or paint will do.
   
   • A simple half water, half distilled white vinegar mix is very effective. It also takes advantage of vinegar's odor removing properties. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, try adding some essential oils. Tea tree, lemon and orange are all also antibacterial agents which can help combat odors. This is, in fact, a very effective cleaner, which can be used for regular cleaning.
   • Flat paint and wallpaper are difficult to wash. Instead, try a dry sponge to remove the film that accumulates on walls and ceilings^[1]. Look for them in janitorial stores and good housewares stores. Dry sponges are a treated, natural rubber that works well on dry surfaces, usually brown or red.
     • Fold the sponge over so that only part of a surface touches the wall at a time, then draw them along the wall.
     • Fold the sponge another way when the first surface gets dirty.
     • When the entire sponge is dirty, which is to say black or brown on all surfaces and no longer removing dirt, discard it and use a new one. Don't get a dry sponge wet or attempt to wash it.
3. Shampoo the carpet or have it professionally cleaned. If you think the odor is in the carpet, or the carpet still harbors odors, clean the carpet or have it done professionally. If you know the odor was a specific spot on the carpet, you could also spot treat that area.
   
   • See how to remove pet urine from carpet or how to clean pet vomit from carpet if these are the cause of the problem.
   • If you know the carpet is the problem, you may have to replace, or at least remove it to eliminate the odor entirely, especially if it is very badly stained, it has gotten wet, or it has mold or mildew in it.
4. Wash clothing, bedding, and linens if they smell like whatever you are trying to remove. Hanging them outside to air dry might also help, especially on a sunny day if they can handle direct sunlight. Don't forget throw rugs, blankets, and any other fabric items that have become a fixture in the room. Dry clean anything that can't be washed but ask first, as dry cleaning can set some odors for good (such as mothball scent).
   
5. Clean the light bulbs. If you have cigarette smoke, or something equally pervasive, the light bulbs will get a coating on them from the build up of chemical substances from the cigarettes or other source. When you turn on the light and the bulb begins to warm up, the "scent" will return. Keep the light bulb clean and it won't be a problem.
   
   • Try CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs). Some compact fluorescent bulbs have a titanium dioxide coating that works to absorb odors when the bulb is turned on. ^[2] Not all compact fluorescent bulbs have this coating, so look for it specifically if you want a bulb for this purpose.
6. Have your upholstery cleaned or do it yourself with an upholstery cleaner. Check first in an inconspicuous area that the upholstery is colorfast and compatible with whatever you're using. Don't forget to vacuum under seat cushions, too.
   
   • For leather upholstery, wipe it down with oil soap or saddle soap made for leather.
7. Change the filters in any ventilation, heating, or air conditioning system. Those systems work better when the filters are regularly cleaned anyway, and if you're trying to get rid of odors, there's no sense having them circulate in your ventilation system. If you think the ventilation system is the source of the problem and changing the filters didn't help, see about getting your ducts cleaned.
   

Using Vinegar

1. Fight smells with vinegar. Overnight, set a bowl of distilled white vinegar in the room. In the morning, the air will be fresher. You can also use this to deodorize your clothes without the need for washing. Put some distilled white vinegar in a bath with some hot water and hang your clothes above it. Some more odor fighting uses for vinegar include:^[3]
   
   • Leave a bowl of vinegar out for 24 hours to remove the smell of cigarette smoke from a room.
   • A little vinegar added to the hot cinders of a fire will remove smoky smells from a room.
   • Remove fridge odor by washing regularly with hot soapy water, followed by a wipe down with a damp cloth soaked in hot water with a dash of vinegar.
   • Place a half cup each of vinegar and water in a heatproof dish. Place inside the oven and heat to boiling. Then turn off the oven and let it stand overnight. The next day, wipe over with a cloth dampened in hot water and vinegar. The odors should be gone.
   • Pour 2 1/2 cups of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Leave for 30 minutes, then simply flush. The toilet will be fresh again.
2. When cooking highly aromatic food, place a medium sized bowl of vinegar with high walls next to the stove. This will help to absorb the odor and prevent it from wafting through the rest of the house.
   

Masking the Odors

1. Mask the smell with aromatherapy.
   • Burn scented candles. The act of burning the candles and their scent will work together to eradicate the odor. Bear in mind that many candles will just mask the odor, so this should be a temporary measure or last resort if you can't deal with the source of the odor.
     
   • Use a diffuser to distribute a scent.
     
   • Use store-bought room fresheners and/or products.
     
   • If you'd prefer an unscented approach, try a spray or odor-absorbing gel. Use this for upholstery or anything else that can't be easily washed or dry cleaned.
     
   • Burn incense. Sometimes, nothing will get through the smell better than burning incense. Again, this is likely just to mask the smell.
     

Getting Rid of Moldy Odors

1. Kill mold spores using chlorine dioxide. This is used on boats to control musty odors, and in libraries to control outbreaks of mildew.
   
   • There are several convenient sources of small amounts of chlorine dioxide that are sold for use in boats and closets. For example, one suitable product is mildew odor control bags, which can be found doing an online search. Another suitable product is sachets (for example, MB DeoTrex-30 Sachets), again to be found through an online search.

Painting or Redecorating

1. Before going to the expense of painting, crumple as many sheets of newspaper as you can and put them in the stinky room for several days. The more newspaper, the better the odor-absorbing capacity. However, you don't want to leave newsprint stains on anything, so you might put down a clean, old sheet under the newsprint. Leave the room closed up with the newspaper in it for several days. A week or two is even better.
   
   • This method also works well for stinky car trunks.
2. Paint the room. If all the other measures to remove the odor have failed, try painting the room. And, if necessary, replace the carpet or wallpaper. The new materials will have an odor of their own, but it should dissipate quickly.
   
   • If you are painting to remove odors, make sure to do the preparation properly. Wash the walls with a solution of TSP (trisodium phosphate) according to package directions before painting. Allow them to dry, then apply a stain-blocking primer before applying paint.
   • If the odor still persists, such as a really bad one like pet urine soaked into the carpet, you may have to replace the carpet and underlay. If you do have to go this far, paint the floor before laying the new carpet so as to seal any odor left into the sub-floor.

Using Ozone

1. Generate ozone. Ozone generators produce O3, which actually oxidizes organic molecules (a common cause of smells). Ozone shocking is used in extreme cases, such as house fires and floods, by filling an area with a high volume of ozone for 1-10 hours depending on the type of generator used. Ozone in small quantities is generally considered safe, but in moderate to high levels it may irritate the throat, cause watery eyes, or aggravate asthma symptoms. To neutralize bad smells a generator must be able to produce 1000mg/hr and remain at that level for 1 hour for a 100 s.f. area. Ozone leaves a distinctive smell of its own, oftentimes referred to as the "thunderstorm smell" (lightning produces high quantities of ozone). However, depending on what Ozone binds to, certain molds for instance, it can create a different type of smell that can linger for many weeks. There is not a lot of literature on Ozone effectiveness and many manufacturers claims are exaggerated or unsubstantiated (see http://ift.tt/1cYYiGJ).
   
   • See "Warnings" below for safe use of ozone. Always read the manufacturer's label carefully before using.

Baking Soda and Lemon juice

1. Mix a small amount of baking soda, and a squeezed lemon into a spray bottle.
   
2. Spritz around the room where all the smells are coming from. You don't need to drench it, just spritz it. This is best done on a hot and sunny day.
   
3. Open the windows and let the house air out.
   

Tips

• Use a steam mop/cleaner (or use a steam wallpaper remover with a cloth or rag) on fabrics and hard surfaces including floors, baby and pet toys and bedding.Steam kills bacteria, and it's safe as it's totally chemical free, and an effective deodorizer.
• Keep a fabric softener (plastic) refill hidden under a seat. The pleasant odour will permeate the area quickly. When the fabric softener smell fades, move the packet to your laundry and buy a new one for the room.
• It's best, and easiest, to never introduce the odor in the first place. If you succeed in removing an odor, take steps to make sure that whatever caused it doesn't happen again.
• If you have pets, it helps to keep the surfaces clean. Dirty pets make for a dirty smelling house.

Warnings

• If you think the odor is caused by molds, chemicals, rats, or another potential hazard, safely address the hazard, not just the odor.
• Some deodorants and room-fresheners are highly flammable when they are exposed to heat or fire, so keep a watch before using them.
• Molds can be toxic. Find out if mold is part of the problem.
• Ozone is also toxic to humans, so be sure to read all instructions before using an ozone generator. Ozone is heavier than air and can build up around the floor. This is dangerous to small children and pets. House cats are especially sensitive to ozone poisoning.
• Chlorine dioxide is an irritant. If you are using chlorine dioxide, air the room out before occupying it. Or, keep the door closed if you are deodorizing a closet.

Related wikiHows

• How to Get Bad Smells out of Carpet
• How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in a Room
• How to Make a Room Smell Fresh
• How to Get Rid of Cat Spray Odor
• How to Deodorize Your Locker for a Fragrance Pod

Sources and Citations

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