Top 5 Tips for Getting Rid of Bad Smells

70% of Brits have experienced worsening or new smells arising in their homes since being stuck at home during the lockdown, according to a survey of British consumers conducted by Aqdot Limited, owners of Oderase: the fragrance-free odour-erasing brand.

Nobody likes the mouldy cheesy whiff of sweaty trainers in the shoe cupboard as the whole family are cooped up for days on end at home. With more people at home comes more body odour and more waste from the bathroom to the kitchen bin. Smells can easily build up quickly and linger & waft throughout the home to the annoyance of all.

So what's the best way to tackle the stench? Here are our top 5 tips for getting rid of bad smells.

1. Think indoor air quality, not just pongs & stenches

Breathing fresh clean unpolluted air is important for our health & wellbeing. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), indoor air pollution from biological agents in indoor air related to damp and mould increases the risk of respiratory disease in children and adults by 50%.(1 ) Some bad smells can be a helpful signal of household (or personal!) hygiene. Follow the smell to establish the cause or the culprit, and deal with it, but beware of odourless pollution too. A Carbon Monoxide detector, for example, is an essential piece of kit for modern homes.

2. Banish VOCs - the common whiff offenders

Most bad smells are caused by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These microscopic particles can waft through the air, and at too high concentrations can have long-term health effects, according to Public Health England.(2)

3. Prevention is better than cure

Of course, keeping your home well ventilated, and regular cleaning is the best way to keep the air fresh, clean and pleasant in your home. Air purifiers, present in about one third of UK homes according to our survey, and air conditioning systems in offices, are often used to help to prevent bad smells from building up and lingering.

4. Tackle the cause, don't just mask it

Many traditional air fresheners may not remove VOCs, but simply release an artificial perfume to temporarily overpower your nose with scent so they cannot detect the VOCs for a short while. 87% of Brits agreed that most air fresheners only mask bad smells in the home temporarily, according to our survey.

5. Use a fragrance-free odour-erasing spray

For some people, fragranced sprays are too strong and too artificial and for some they cause allergies. Oderase is a range of fragrance-free odour-erasing sprays, that are so effective there is no need for any artificial masking fragrances. These water-based mists simply capture the VOCs, removing the bad smells, and restoring the home to its fresh, clean natural balance.

(1 )

https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/air-quality/data-and-statistics

(2 ) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/831319/VO__statement_Final_12092019_CS__1_.pdf

Image used under license from Shutterstock.com

air freshenerJing Zhang