How to Tackle Home Odors Like a Pro

Even the most beautiful home can feel uninviting if it’s full of unpleasant odors. In some cases, it may take being out of your home for a while or a painfully honest guest to clue you in to the fact that your house smells stale or sour. Lingering odors in the home can be embarrassing and can take away from the atmosphere you’ve thoughtfully worked to create through your furniture, decor and personal touches throughout each room.

The good news is, you can deal with stubborn home odors. Though you may be tempted to mask the scent by spraying a room freshener spray, to really get rid of bad smells in your house, you want to find more lasting solutions that truly deodorize and not just cover up odors temporarily.

Let’s take a quick tour through your home to find some common culprits and explain how to get rid of bad odors in your house like a seasoned cleaning professional. Then, we’ll talk about the cleaning products you’ll want to keep on hand for deodorizing, what can absorb bad odors and, finally, what to do if you can’t get rid of bad smells in your home.

Entryway

When you, your family and guests step into your home, their first impression will come from your entryway. For some, this is a formal foyer, and for others, it’s a mudroom. In either case, objects like shoes, umbrellas and bags can tend to collect near the door. The primary source of odors here is typically shoes. Especially when shoes become damp, they can breed bacteria that cause them to stink. There are a few ways you can take care of the issue. A straightforward method to soak up deodorize shoes is to tuck dry tea bags containing black tea into each shoe and leave it overnight.

You may also want to consider adding a source of fragrance like a reed diffuser or an essential oil diffuser in your entryway, so you can greet anyone who comes through the door with a pleasant smell.

Living Room

Let’s step into your living room, great room or wherever you and your family tend to hang out. There are several potential places where odors can hide in these rooms, so let’s briefly talk about each one.

  • Sofa: You may not think about cleaning your couch unless someone spills something on it, but sofas tend to experience a lot of wear, and they need refreshing from time to time. A great way to do this is to sprinkle baking soda on all the upholstered parts of your couch, let it sit for around a half hour and then vacuum it off. This trick will leave your sofa, and any other upholstered furniture in your house, smelling cleaner than ever. If your couch needs a deeper cleaning, consider hiring a professional cleaner to steam-clean it.
  • Carpets: Like couches, your carpets also experience a lot of wear and can develop unpleasant odors. Steam cleaning is a popular method of cleaning for carpeting and area rugs. You can also get your carpet shampooed for a deep clean. If you want to freshen your carpet a bit, the baking soda trick works here, as well. In this case, you want to use plenty of baking soda to make sure it penetrates the fibers of your carpet and absorbs any odors hiding out in there.
  • Curtains: Curtains are another item in your home you may not think to clean. As with all fabrics, curtains will absorb and hold onto odors present in your home and can become dusty. For these reasons, you should take your drapes down and wash them about once every three months. In the meantime, use your vacuum’s brush to clean your curtains weekly.

Most people don’t just want to know how to prevent home odors, but also to get ideas for replacing them with pleasant ones. There are plenty of ways you can do this in your living room. In addition to conventional ways of filling your home with fragrance, such as candles, wax warmers and oil diffusers, you can also try using a fabric refresher spray on your upholstered furniture, carpet, and curtains to keep them and the whole room smelling fresh. For a unique smelly house remedy, try lighting a tea light nested in a glass bowl of coffee beans. The warm aroma is sure to please your guests.

Bathroom

Let’s now step into the bathroom, a place where odors can easily take over if you don’t proactively work to prevent them. Again, we’ll look at a few common sources of odors in your bathroom and how you can deodorize, so your bathroom smells pristine every day.

  • Toilet brush: You already know to clean your toilet frequently, but what about your toilet brush? For most people, their toilet brush sits in a brush holder where gunk and grime can collect and begin to smell. An ideal solution to this problem is to pour a small amount of scented cleaning product into the container that holds your brush.
  • Used towels: Reusing towels is a great way to save water, but after a while, used towels can begin to smell musty, especially if the air in your bathroom is moist. To prevent the issue of musty-smelling towels, put them in the laundry after about three uses. And don’t keep a hamper in the bathroom without frequently emptying it. Damp towels in a hamper won’t get much aeration, which will make the mustiness a lot worse.
  • Bathtub/shower drain: Drains can often become clogged due to a buildup of soap, hair and other materials that form a layer of smelly gunk. To get rid of the smell, you need to clear out your drain. You can purchase products specifically designed to do this, or you can try using some scented bleach. If you want to use natural ingredients you already have around the house, pour a cup of baking soda into your drain, let it sit a minute, then follow it up with two cups of vinegar. After about 30 minutes, wash it down with hot water.

People tend to prioritize adding fragrance to their bathrooms, but they often stop at just placing a can of air freshener on a shelf or the back of the toilet. These sprays present a couple of problems. One is that they only disperse fragrance when someone sprays them, and the other is that the chemicals in these sprays can be harmful to your health. In a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council, 86 percent of the air fresheners they tested contained phthalates, a group of chemicals a growing body of research has found to have potentially negative health effects.

If you want to avoid these chemicals and keep your bathroom smelling fresh, try using essential oils. One way to do this is to dab some essential oil onto cotton balls and keep them in an open container, like a small jar or bowl, on a shelf in your bathroom. You can also dab some essential oil onto the inside of your toilet tissue roll. A little bit goes a long way toward making your bathroom smell wonderful.

Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a haven where you can relax at the end of the day and get a peaceful night’s sleep. The air quality in your bedroom can either help or hinder the atmosphere. Here are a couple of areas to pay attention to and how to get rid of odors in the bedroom.

  • Mattress: Considering you spend about a third of your life on your mattress, it’s no wonder it can get pretty dirty. Of course, washing sheets or duvet covers frequently is essential for keeping your bed fresh and clean, but you should also clean your mattress periodically. Otherwise, it can become covered in sweat, dust mite droppings, mold and fungi. Pour a box of baking soda over the mattress, leave it for 24 hours and then vacuum it.
  • Closet: Closets and wardrobes can become dusty and musty. Wash clothes that have sat in your closet for a long time to keep dust from piling up. A good way to keep your whole closet smelling fresh is to hang some herbal tea bags or porous bags of coffee beans around your closet.

To remove indoor house odors and improve the air quality in your bedroom, run an air purifier periodically. This step is especially important if you have pets or if you smoke in your home. If white noise helps you sleep, run your filter at night. You may also consider having an essential oil diffuser in your room. Dropping in some eucalyptus or lavender oil at night will help you relax.

Kitchen

Your kitchen can be a source of some wonderful smells, but it can also be a major source of odors in the home. Let’s look at a few common sources of bad smells in your kitchen.

  • Trash: Emptying the trash when it gets full usually isn’t enough to keep it from smelling. Bits of debris will inevitably cling to the inside of your trash can and cause it to smell. To fix this, periodically wash the inside of your trash can with hot, soapy water. Then, place one or two fabric softener sheets in the bottom to absorb odors in the future.
  • Garbage disposal: If you have trouble finding the source of a bad smell in the kitchen, it could be your garbage disposal. For easy odor removal, toss in some rinds from lemons, limes or oranges and let the disposal run. It will leave your kitchen smelling fresher than ever.
  • Fridge: Spoiled food or pungent foods like cheese can make your fridge a major source of odors in your kitchen. Make sure to throw out spoiled food and to sanitize the shelves of your fridge periodically. Additionally, placing an aerated container of baking soda or a half a lemon on the middle shelf of your fridge can help deodorize and leave your fridge smelling fresh.
  • Cooking: While they can be delicious, certain foods, like garlic or fish, can overwhelm your kitchen and other parts of your home with strong odors. Odors from cooking not only linger in the air, but can get absorbed into upholstery and fabric. If you’re cooking fish especially, place a bowl of vinegar on the stove for easy odor removal. The best way to deodorize your house is to leave some open containers of baking soda around your kitchen to help remove lingering food odors from the air.

If you want your kitchen to smell delicious, try simmering water on the stove with fragrant spices or fruits floating in it. For example, during the holiday season, oranges, cranberries and cinnamon create a warm and festive aroma. Brewing coffee is also a great way to fill your kitchen with a smell everyone loves. Filling your home with warm, wonderful scents is one of the best smelly house remedies.

Basement

Basements are usually cold environments that promote condensation and mold growth. They tend to be dank and musty and can leave everything you store down there smelling strongly of that unmistakable “old house smell.” A great way to combat this issue is to run a dehumidifier in your basement. Eliminating moisture will fight off mold and help the smell big time. You may also want to use an air purifier to help filter out dust and other pollutants in the air.

When Odors Can Be Dangerous

It’s important to note that, sometimes, odors can be a red flag that something is wrong. Here are just a few hazards that can cause bad smells:

  • Mold
  • Gas leak
  • Spilled chemicals
  • Blocked chimney

If you’re not sure what is causing a bad smell in your house, don’t just shrug it off. Do your best to find the source, and if you can’t, investigate these issues specifically. If you think your house may have a gas leak or other serious problem, evacuate immediately.

Must-Have Supplies to Deodorize

While keeping your home clean is an important step to keep odors away, using cleaning products that are full of harsh chemicals can do more harm than good. Not only can these products have a strong, sharp smell, but they can also be bad for the environment and for your health. That’s why, at Thai Cleaning Service, we only use Green Seal-certified products to clean your home. Using green and natural products is the best way to deodorize your house. Here are a few must-have supplies to keep on hand.

  • Soap
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Sanitizing spray
  • Fabric refresher spray
  • Fabric softener sheets
  • Essential oils
  • Lemons

How to Prevent Home Odors

If your house never smells fresh, or if you try and fail to get rid of odors, you may need to hire a professional cleaning service to scope out the issue and give your home a good, deep clean. Maintaining cleanliness in your home is one of the best ways to prevent home odors.

At Thai Cleaning Service, the hard work and expertise of our employees, along with our green cleaning methods, will leave your home feeling cleaner than ever and smelling wonderful. We proudly serve many communities in the greater Baltimore area. We understand that, no matter how much you want your home to stay clean and to smell nice, life can be busy. So consider calling in the pros. We will treat your home with the same level of respect and care as our own. A clean, inviting home that smells as good as it looks is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and your family, so why wait? Contact Thai Cleaning Service today!

How Do You Remove Red Wine From a Carpet?

Many people love the idea of curling up on the couch on a Sunday night, a glass of red wine in hand and a romantic comedy on television. What no one wants is to deal with the inevitable aftermath of a red wine spill. Whether it’s on your couch, the carpet or your clothes, red wine stains put up a good fight. In case you’re struggling with how to remove old and new stains, here are some tips for wine stain removal to try on your own.

The Chemical Spine of Red Wine

Red wine consists of chromogens, the primary substance found in many types of plants that’s responsible for dyes. Tannins are also found in the wine — organic materials that contribute to many ink products. Think of red wine as a dyed ink blot, and you’ll begin to see how stubborn its stains are.

When you spill wine, the liquid moves in two ways — down and out. Couch cushions are a little slower in absorbing the liquid than your carpet, which is why it’s crucial to act fast.

Red Wine Stain Removal: The Do-Nots

There are a few key reminders of things you should not do when trying to treat red wine stains. The big ones include:

  • Don’t scrub.
  • Don’t wait.
  • Don’t apply heat.

By scrubbing the stain, you’re spreading the liquid out while using pressure to push it down. You should blot the area instead, using dry fabrics to lift the stain. If you wait too long, you won’t be able to blot out any liquid — while it’s possible to remove old red wine stains, it becomes nearly impossible the more you wait.

You also don’t want to apply any heat to the area. High temperatures will change the chemical processes of the wine, making it easier for it to bond to the porous material instead of lifting from it.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains From the Carpet

If you’re in need of a list of tactics to attack and remove your old red wine stains, here are some items you should keep stocked in your house:

  • Table salt
  • Club soda
  • White vinegar
  • Oxi cleaner

In some instances, if the stain is fresh, directly pouring boiling water on the area and blotting it with a dry paper towel can lift most — if not all — of the stain. After that, your next go-to is to add a dry powder or material to the spot. Table salt works the best — pour a small pile onto the heart of the stain, let it sit for a few minutes up to an hour, then use a towel or cloth to blot the area.

The next step in treating a red wine stain is to use a combination of club soda and white vinegar. This mixture will break up the molecules of the wine. If everything else has failed, invest in an oxi cleaner. Oxi cleaners are your best bet in treating and removing old red wine stains.

Whether you’re struggling to remove a red wine stain or would rather leave it all to the professionals, contact Thai Cleaning Service today to treat your carpet and avoid a disaster that becomes irreparable.

Tips for Cleaning up After a Party

Everyone loves the idea of a good get-together. Whether it’s a holiday party, a family reunion or just a night in with some friends, having people over at your house for food, drinks and entertainment is the perfect recipe for a great time.

Unfortunately, the post-party cleanup often feels like a dreaded chore. Don’t let this cleaning deter you from having the best party you can have. Here are some tips for cleaning up after a party like a champ.

Start Cleaning Before Guests Arrive

The best way to combat post-party cleanup? Do as much as you can before the night or get-together begins. If you’ve prepared appetizers or a meal, run your cooking tools and dishes through the dishwasher and empty it right away. This step leaves your sink and dishwasher wide open for the dishes that are bound to gather throughout the party.

Think Ahead for Messes and Trash

You hope you won’t have to deal with spilled wine or crushed food, but accidents do happen — especially in rowdy and crowded settings. Keep a bucket or pail on the ground or counter to collect empty beer bottles and recyclable cups. Keep a small dustpan or vacuum nearby to sweep up food crumbs and flakes quickly.

It’s also a good idea to keep your rugs and best decorative pillows hidden to avoid the tricky spot-cleaning treatments that may be required otherwise. Make sure you keep a supply of Tide pens or wet wipes around in case of sticky countertops and accidental spills on clothing.

Contain Your Guests

The last thing you want going into an evening of cleaning up after a party is to have to move from room to room, tracking down where your guests dropped food or left their cups. Keep your guests comfortable in one or two main party rooms, such as the kitchen and the living room. If you don’t want guests wandering around, lock or close doors, and turn off the lights in hallways and bedrooms.

Start With the Kitchen

One of the best tips for post-party cleanup is to begin with the kitchen. After your guests leave, think of everything that needs to be put away in your kitchen. Gather up all the dirty dishes, glassware and utensils, and pop them into the dishwasher. Store leftover food in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Give a quick wipedown to all countertops, making sure you don’t allow any water rings or wine spills to take form overnight.

Focus on Stains and Smells

Before you go to bed, take a quick inventory of any stains your guests may have left behind. Treat them as soon as possible to reduce their chance of permanence. Empty the trash to remove sources of food odor. If you have citrus peels or skin lying around, grind some of them down in your garbage disposal to keep your sink smelling clean and fresh.

These steps are some of the best ways to clean up after a party. Of course, if you’d rather go to bed and call it quits, you can always allow Thai Cleaning Service to take care of the rest. Call or request an estimate to schedule your post-party cleanup services right away.

What Is the Best Way to Clean Pet Stains?

Pet stains are unavoidable around your home. Even the most well-trained dogs and cats will have accidents or fall ill, leaving a mess. All pet owners struggle with the dilemma of how to clean pet stains — while there’s no one clear, cut-and-dry answer, we do have a few pet stain removal tips to ease the process.

Blot, Don’t Rub

Before you even think about which product to use on your stain in question, the first thing you need to do is blot the area. Soaking up excess liquid like urine will allow your cleaner to penetrate the soiled area in a deeper and faster way. And instead of rubbing the stain, which could cause it to further seep into your carpet, remember that blotting the area lifts the stain.

Vinegar Is a Miracle Ingredient

The ability for vinegar to lift and treat old stains allows it to work like a miracle drug. It’s non-toxic and leaves behind no residue, ensuring a safe area for your pet to be around after cleaning. Vinegar will also neutralize the ammonia found in urine — which causes odors to formulate — treating not just the stain but also the source of the smell.

Multiple grocery, drug and pet stores sell stain removal for pet owners, but there are natural cleaners that can be made at home. One simple recipe is to combine one cup of white vinegar, one cup of lukewarm water and two tablespoons of baking soda. You can apply the mixture directly to the stain, or you can treat the stain with the baking soda first, allow it to sit for five minutes and then add the liquid mixture on top and blot.

Allow Baking Soda to Sit

When you want to clean a pet stain that’s the source of some bad smells, throw in baking soda to whatever cleaner or mixture you’re using. It will soak up the current stain and penetrate through your carpet fibers to neutralize the odor and keep it from spreading.

Rinse the Area After Treatment

Once you’ve applied your cleaner or mixture to the stain and blotted it away, you’re going to want to rinse the area. This routine is especially important for spots that may have had exposure to bleach-based products, as the chemicals can be harmful if ingested by your pet. Simply fill a bottle with lukewarm water, spray to thoroughly dampen the area and use a clean towel or cloth to blot away the excess water until dry.

Avoid Steam Cleaning

While vacuuming over your carpet after treating stains is an excellent clean-up method, avoid using any steamers for urine stain removal. The heat that resonates from steam cleaners can penetrate into the urine and bind the protein into the fibers of your carpet, which will make it much harder to remove the stain as well as the odor.

Use these pet stain removal tips the next time you need to do a quick spot treatment. If you need a more substantial removal from your home carpet, contact Thai Cleaning Service for a free estimate to receive a personalized and professional cleaning.

Common Home Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Regular household cleaning is one of the most important tasks you can do to improve your health and overall enjoyment of your home. As a result, your cleaning routine can become second nature. But you can also become trapped in unhealthy habits that undermine your best efforts to keep your house looking great. Avoid these beginner cleaning mistakes to preserve your furniture and peace of mind.

Using Too Much Cleaner

Using more cleaning product doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll end up with better results. In fact, the opposite could be true.

Soaking your cloth with cleaning product or over-spraying will likely lead to noticeable streaks. You’ll also spend more time cleaning up excess spray than you’ll spend actually cleaning the desired surface. Spray a little product and continue to add more as needed rather than wasting your time wiping up drips.

Mixing Cleaning Products

Never mix any cleaning products together. Period. Not only is this action ineffective at cleaning your home, but it’s also downright dangerous. Combining the wrong ingredients can create a fatal toxic gas. Unless the manufacturer’s directions clearly state that you need to combine a product with another substance, avoid mixing any chemicals. Clean using one product at a time, and safely store each cleaner after use.

Scrubbing Carpet Spills

At some point, you’ll spill some sort of liquid on your carpet. If you’re like most people, you’ll immediately run to the cabinet to grab some rags and scrub like mad until the stain disappears. But scrubbing stains will irreversibly damage the carpets’ fibers.

Instead, blot the area with a dry towel or paper towels until no more liquid is absorbed. Then, apply carpet stain remover as necessary after checking the label for proper care instructions.

Cleaning Windows on a Sunny Day

While cleaning windows seems like a pretty common-sense task, many people don’t realize that cleaning them on a sunny day increases the chance of streaking. The hot sun will also cause the cleaner to evaporate more quickly.

Wait until nighttime or a cool, cloudy day to do any window cleaning — when the sun isn’t shining, and the temperature stays under 70 degrees.

Not Cleaning Often Enough

The most common cleaning mistake is actually not cleaning at all.

When you put off cleaning your house, you increase the chances of harboring mold, bacteria and dust-borne allergens that hurt your health and the longevity of your furniture and electronics. A regular cleaning schedule ensures that your cleaning chores won’t take as long and that you’ll have fewer problems to worry about in your home.

At Thai Cleaning Service, we understand that not everyone has the time and energy left at the end of the day to clean their house on a regular schedule. That’s why we provide affordable weekly, bi-weekly and monthly services throughout Baltimore and the surrounding communities. Contact us today for a free estimate, and see the difference a locally owned cleaning service can make in your home.