Cleaning expert shares tips on how to get stinky and stubborn odors out of the home
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Lauren Edmonds
Mar 20, 2022, 19:34 IST
Fiona Mills works with Spaulding Decon, a company that tackles everything from homicide and suicide cleaning to mold remediation.Courtesy of Fiona Mills
Fiona Mills is a former hoarding technician and current franchise business coach at Spaulding Decon.
Mills, 32, shared advice on how to eliminate stinky odors in your home.
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There may be several reasons why a home reeks of smelly odors.
While trash pile-up may account for some odors, Fiona Mills pointed to other sources like mold and mildew, pets, smelly sneakers, leftover food in the garbage disposal, dirty AC filters and ducts, and dirty drains — especially in washing machines.
Coffee grounds and charcoal pouches can help dispel odors around the home
Mills told Insider that home remedies like damp coffee grounds could help absorb odors, while white vinegar placed in a container is good for odor absorption and removal. Her go-to odor removal solution are charcoal pouches.
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"Charcoal absorbs odors and neutralizes the air particles," Mills said. "It absorbs unpleasant scents—not just masks them. While other odor control techniques cover up the smells, activated charcoal eliminates them."
Mills said using charcoal AC filters is a cost-effective alternative for people who don't want to buy an air purifier
Mills said homeowners could use the charcoal AC filters instead of other AC filters but suggested those seeking air purifiers make sure the machine has a HEPA filter.
"A HEPA filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. Theoretically, it removes 99.9% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles floating in the air," she said.
Use disinfectant sprays instead of aerosol sprays like Febreze
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Mills said aerosol sprays like Febreze only fragrance the air, but "a spray such as Lysol attacks the odor in the air, killing the odor forming particles and leaves a nice fragrance behind."
"If you want to use an aerosol spray with a purpose, use a disinfectant spray that is also fragrant rather than just an 'air freshener' that is basically perfume for the air," Mills said, adding that sprays like that "only buy time."
Mills said common ingredients like baking soda or vodka could help fight pet odors
Mills admitted that pet odors could be a "nuisance," so it helps to sprinkle baking soda on carpets and furniture before letting it sit overnight. The baking soda, an odor neutralizer, can be vacuumed in the morning.
Mills also said vodka could help.
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"A spritz of straight vodka at an area that smells like animals will eliminate the odor when it evaporates," she said, adding that owners should regularly wash pet beds and toys. Using other methods like activated charcoal pouches, odor-absorbing gels like Fresh Wave, air purifier machines, and charcoal AC filters also work.
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