Archive for IAQ

Issues That Affect Odor and Indoor Air Quality

Odors in your home can come from everywhere and everything, including (but certainly not limited to) cooking, pets, smoke, and even dirty clothes.  Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, as well as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat are all possible side effects of short-term exposure to pollutants found in indoor air with poor quality.  Health effects from poor indoor air quality can be experienced soon after exposure or even up to years later.

The quality of the air in your home can directly affect the health of you and your loved ones.  But not to worry, because there are a number of things you can do to reduce odors and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.

  • Have your air ducts cleaned. Dirty air ducts and dryer vents can not only restrict air flow throughout your home, but they can also affect your health.  Not only can we clean them for you, but we also use an Anti-Microbial Disinfectant to inhibit the growth of molds, mildews, and odor causing bacteria.  This will help keep the air in your home fresher, longer!
  • Thoroughly clean carpets and upholstered furniture. Your furniture, as well as your carpets, can play host to all kinds of dirt, bacteria, and odors that can affect the air quality of your home.  We use a number of steps to care for each one and help improve air quality.
  • Remove pet urine immediately. If not treated quickly, pet urine odor can be incredibly tricky to completely remove.  We can determine just how severe the odor damage may be and proper course of treatment to remove the odor. This could range anywhere from minor impact, which may only require a simple cleaning, to a more intense impact, which may require cleaning the subfloor, padding, carpet backing, and sealing the subfloor.  No matter the severity, we can help your home smell clean and free of pet odors again.
  • Heavy duty cleaning of walls, ceilings, cabinets, etc. This is especially helpful with cooking smells and smoke. Be sure to only use products that are meant to be used on these types of surfaces.  Repainting walls, ceilings, or wooden furniture would also help to cover up any lingering odors.
  • Dust frequently and properly. The hard surfaces and floors in your home should be cleaned at least once a week with a damp rag or mop to capture the dirt and dust.  Dry cloths and feather dusters will just push those allergens and dust right back into the air.
  • Invest in a dehumidifier. Humidity levels in your basement or crawl spaces can easily become quite high, created a moldy or musty smell.  A dehumidifier will reduce the humidity level and the subsequent mold; keeping your home smelling fresh.

Candles are another great way to reduce odors in your home. However, candles can sometimes leave a trace of soot in rugs or carpets that can be quite difficult to remove depending on the severity of the soot.  Keep an eye on your candles and don’t burn them for too long at one time.  Although they tend to be a bit more expensive, soot free candles are certainly an option.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, Sams is here to help.  Feel free to contact us at any time.

Enjoy this article? Pass it on!