When living within an apartment, there is a great need to eliminate unpleasant odors as soon they develop. The living space is often small, so you want to make sure that you’re making the most of it.
Odors can develop from a variety of sources, and vary in their degree of difficulty to remove. Fortunately, by taking the proper steps in neutralizing your flat’s funk, you will be able to return freshness back within your apartment.
Simple Smell Solutions
1 Open Windows
Opening the windows will provide some temporary relief, and work to sweep much of the aroma outside. This solution is most effective with short-lived bathroom, cooking and bodily odors.
Smoking Smell Solutions
1 Bleach
Open the windows within your apartment, and create a solution of one part bleach for five parts water within a bucket. Using a large spunge, wipe down the walls, making sure to be delicate enough not to harm the underlying paint. If the ceiling is flat a flat surface, it is advised that you do the same treatment to this surface as well. After covering all of the walls and ceiling with this solution you can let the fresh air sweep through the apartment to air dry and carry away the smell.
2 Vinegar + Baking Soda
If you prefer to avoid using bleach, an odor reducing formula from baking soda and vinegar can be produced. Mix 1 part baking soda, 1 part vinegar and 5 part water and mix thoroughly. Taking a large cloth and work this solution into all of the wall and ceiling surfaces within the apartment. Once completed, you can open the windows and allow fresh air sweep to through the apartment. This will air dry the moisture from the interior, and clear out much of odors from the apartment.
3 Baking Soda
Carpet can be a major challenge for removing smoke odors. The smoke gets within the visible carpet fiber and often makes it’s way within the underlying padding. As a solution, you can sprinkle baking soda in high quantities across the flooring and work the powder in with your feet. After leaving baking soda to sit for 24-48 hours you can vaccuum the powder up.
For an entire guide on removing smoke odors from your apartment, click here.
Urine Smell Solutions
1 Step 1: Black Light + Baking Soda
Surveying the apartment with a black light can save you time in locating the sources of the urine odor. After shutting all of the blinds within your apartment, turn on your black light and begin surveying the floor. When you come across a glowing splotch, you can drop a small amount of baking soda as a marker. After surveying the entire apartment, you can open the blinds, and begin using activated enzyme solution on these locations.
2 Step 2: Enzyme Based Cleaning Agent
Cleaning solutions that utilize enzymes are essential for cutting through pet organics like urine. The enzymes go to work in eating the odor producing residues and neutralize odors within the fiber. Simply pour a cup of the enzyme solution on the affected area making sure to fully saturate it. You can then blot the area of the solution, and letting the remaining moisture deep within the carpeting air dry. As the the solution drys, much of the unwanted aroma will be carried off. Enzyme cleaning products like Nature’s Miracle and black lights can be purchased at any pet store.
[contact]
If you were unable to removal all of the odor with baking soda and vinegar, you can try sprinkling high quantities of backing soda over the entire surface of the carpeting. Be sure tho let this baking soda sit within the carpet between 24-48 hours to allow time for the powder to absorbe the remaining smoke smells. After a minimum of a day, you can return to vacuum this high quantity of baking soda up and out of the carpet. After this, your carpeting should be left smelling odor-free.
Any linens within your apartment should be placed through detergent wash to get out smokey odors. Be sure to wash everything you can fit within your washing machine, including the curtains, chair cushions, sheets, pillows, sofa covers, clothing in your closet.
Large upholstery couches and recliners require a steam cleaner due to their large size. Pour extra quantities of vinegar in with the steam cleaning detergent when using the cleaning hose to neutralize odors within these pieces of furniture. Large items like couches may take a long will to dry out, so it is recommended that you leave the window open while the furniture is drying out.