Is there a lingering smell in your home that you just can’t seem to beat? You’ve tried air fresheners, candles, and plug-ins, but they only mask the problem for a little while. The key to a truly fresh home is to identify and eliminate the source of the odour.
Understanding the Source
Odours are caused by bacteria and molecules that embed themselves in soft surfaces like carpets, upholstery, curtains, and even drywall. To get rid of the smell, you have to get rid of the source.
How to Tackle Common Household Odours
1. Pet Odours (Urine, Dander)
- The Problem: Pet urine contains uric acid crystals that don’t dissolve in water, which is why the smell returns on humid days.
- The Solution: For fresh accidents, blot thoroughly. For set-in smells, you must use an enzymatic cleaner. These products contain enzymes that break down and “eat” the uric acid crystals. For widespread pet odour in carpets or a favourite sofa, professional steam cleaning with a specialized enzyme treatment is the only way to fully penetrate and remove the source.
2. Smoke Odours (Cigarette, Burnt Food)
- The Problem: Smoke particles are sticky and cling to every surface, especially walls, ceilings, and fabrics.
- The Solution: This requires a deep clean. Wash walls and ceilings with a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water. Launder or steam clean all fabrics, including curtains and upholstery. Place bowls of activated charcoal around the room to absorb remaining odours.
3. Musty & Mildew Odours
- The Problem: This smell indicates the presence of mould or mildew, usually caused by excess moisture in a basement, bathroom, or closet.
- The Solution: First, find and fix the source of the moisture (a leak, poor ventilation). Use a dehumidifier. Clean visible mould from hard surfaces with a vinegar or specialized mould-killing solution. The musty smell often lingers in carpets and furniture, requiring a professional deep clean to remove the mould spores.
When DIY Isn’t Enough
If you’ve addressed the source and the smell persists, it’s trapped deep within soft surfaces. Professional hot water extraction is powerful enough to flush out the odour-causing particles that household methods leave behind.
Tired of living with unpleasant smells? Contact My Canada Cleaning to discuss how our deep cleaning services can permanently freshen your home.