Crystal Cleaning uncovers all the secrets to a cleaner and fresher-smelling home or office in Tampa Bay or Clearwater, Florida.
The only way to get your home smelling clean and fresh is to maintain it with various cleaning methods. Odors from pets, people, trash, rot, mold, mildew, smoke, dirt, grease, and grime can plague a home. Instead of masking the smells with fragrance, you must keep your home smelling clean and fresh with these natural remedies. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy beautiful scents. Crystal Cleaning uncovers all the secrets to a cleaner and fresher-smelling home or office in Tampa Bay or Clearwater, Florida.
Offensive Odors
But first, let’s address the elephant—or rather—odor in the room. Offensive smells radiate from litter boxes, dog beds, garbage cans, diaper pails, clothes hampers, pillows, and mattresses sneak up in a house. Although your nose may have adapted to the smell, it doesn’t mean your home smells clean and fresh to visitors. The longer you allow those odors to linger, the more difficult it will be to get rid of them.
1. Inspect Soft Surfaces
Where do these odors like to linger? Carpets, rugs, pillows, upholstery, bed linens, drapes, and curtains are magnets for dust, dirt, and unusual smells. Once spills dry and grime and dust settle in, odor-causing bacteria find a home. These bacteria can turn into something worse—mold and mildew.
If you haven’t done this yet, start by washing all of these items that can go through the laundry (pillows, blankets, bedding, curtains, and so forth). Call in the Tampa Bay professionals—such as Crystal Cleaning—for big jobs that include carpets and draperies.
Most importantly, if there’s a spill or accident of a biological nature, such as urine or vomit, clean it up immediately with a good enzymatic cleaner, then follow with Nok-Out.
2. Moisture Causes Lingering Odor
Moisture is the number one cause of household odors, especially in homes in Florida. Do you wonder if moisture is the source of a sour smell when you walk into your home? Fear not. We have some safe solutions to prevent moisture from taking over your home.
First, invest in an economical hygrometer to measure specific humidity in the air. Test all the rooms of your home, top, and bottom. If the humidity level is above 60%, purchase a dehumidifier. In Florida, residents should avoid wall-to-wall carpets and rugs because they can trap moisture, especially bathrooms.
Next, place moisture-absorbing crystals like Damp-Rid in closets and bathrooms. Be sure to monitor them, as they need to be replaced monthly. Also, don’t let wet things like towels sit in hampers for any length of time. Run used sponges through the dishwasher at least every couple of days. Most importantly, hang bath mats over the shower or towel rod after every use, so they dry out and stay fresh.
3. Freshen the Air Naturally
The easiest (and cheapest) way to freshen any space is to open the window. Let mother nature help out with those leftover cooking smells or lingering odors. To create cross-ventilation, open windows in opposing areas of the room or house. When it’s chilly outside, even during the winter, crack a window for a short period to circulate fresh, clean air.
4. Clean the Refrigerator
Once a month, deep-clean your refrigerator. When you clean your refrigerator regularly, it is quick and easy!
First, remove everything to a counter so you can see what you have. Next, throw out everything that’s no longer safe to eat. Then, give the inside of the fridge a thorough scrubbing with an all-purpose cleaner. Follow up with a scrubbing using vinegar. If it’s still a little stinky, spray it down—even the vents—with Nok-Out, and do not rinse, allowing Nok-Out to air dry completely.
5. Neutralize the Air
Odor neutralizers smell of nothing and keep your home smelling fresh and clean. Activated charcoal filters are another great way to neutralize the air in bathrooms, closets, and other areas prone to smells. Hang them in a closet, or keep them in a drawer for ultra-freshness.
Another tip? Next time you replace your furnace filter, spread 20 drops of your favorite essential oil on it. When the fan is running, it will disperse the scent throughout the home.
6. Light Some Scented Candles
Don’t expect that fresh-baked-cookies scented candle to eliminate the odor coming from the trash can. However, once you have achieved the smell of nothing with a neutralizer and deep clean, scented candles or essential oil diffusers can create a wonderful atmosphere. However, don’t go overboard.
Too many different smells in the house can backfire on you. Therefore, one candle (maybe two) can fragrance an entire home. Or one diffuser is likely all you need.
DIY Home Air Freshener
Here’s a DIY air freshener you may want to try from EverydayChesapeake.com:
Mix a 1/2 cup white vinegar, a 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 20 drops of your favorite essential oil and put it in a small spray bottle. Shake the bottle well before every use. Lightly mist the spray over carpet, upholstery, pillows, blankets, and clothes. Take it easy on the sprays to allow the moisture to dry quickly.
Contact Crystal Cleaning for a Deep Clean
Contact Crystal Cleaning for a deep cleaning for your home or office to maximize the opportunity to create a fresher, better spelling space. We are available six days a week to offer Tampa Bay and Clearwater, Florida homes and offices a flexible service. Call today! 727-313-4560
