What odor treatments are available?
So the source of that persistent odor that has been plaguing you and your home in Wichita, Kansas, has been identified. Now what do you do? What odor treatments are available? We will cover a few common sources of odor, along with odor treatments that are effective for several scenarios.
DO ALL ODOR TREATMENTS WORK?
Some odor treatments will be more effective than others. For example, imagine that two separate homes in Wichita, Kansas, have been subjected to flooding that resulted in the carpets getting wet. One of the homes had a wet vacuum service done to remove the water. The other home also had the water removed with a wet vacuum service, but also had the carpets and carpet pad pulled up and dried. The home that only had the surface water removed will most likely have future issues with musty and sour odors, as well as potential health issues due to mold having been able to spread because the carpet and carpet pad were not fully dried. So while there are options, it is imperative that the treatment is effective not only now but in the future as well.
LET’S TAKE A MOMENT WITH THE FUNGUS AMONG US, MOLD
Mold is a fungus that grows on objects, porous materials, deteriorating materials, and other surfaces in Wichita, Kansas, and all over the world. Mold is a natural part of the environment and can be found almost anywhere that moisture and oxygen are present. And as uncomfortable as this fact might make us, mold spores are almost always present in outdoor and indoor air. There are certain things needed for mold to grow, though, which are:
- Mold spores
- Moisture-rich environment
- Suitable surface that will provide nutrients to the mold
This is the reason that the EPA states that the real key to mold control is moisture control. There are times when moisture and water are out of our control in Wichita, Kansas, but thankfully there are treatments available that can help get rid of harmful mold and its musty odor. These include:
- Water-extraction vacuums
- Damp wiping with proper procedure and materials
- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum
- Mold removal
Mold remediation treatments’ efficacy depends greatly on the size of the area and what type of material the mold is present on. If, for example, in a house in Wichita, Kansas, mold has started to grow on a porous material, the only real efficient and effective way to get rid of the mold is to completely remove the area that has mold growth. All of these mold odor treatments have their intended use, but care should still be taken to consider all of the steps so that odor is eliminated as well as the mold itself.
NOW LET’S VACUUM UP SOME CARPET FACTS
Carpets in a home are used for a variety of purposes in Wichita, Kansas, from insulating a person’s feet from the cold to absorbing noise to adding color to a room. That being said, there are some things about carpeting that can be not so lovely. Carpet is a collector of many things including dust, dirt, pet hair, and other allergens. And those are just the ones we want to think about. The ones we’d rather not think about collecting in carpet include dust mites, insect feces, bacteria, and mold. It is said that knowledge is power, and it’s true, because even though these facts can be disconcerting, these issues are manageable with the proper treatment, and odors can be eliminated. Common treatments for carpet odor include:
- Regular vacuum cleaning
- Spot carpet treatment
- Professional carpet cleaning
Regular vacuuming is necessary for everyday dust and particles that may settle on the carpet. But when an odor is present, unfortunately, regular vacuuming is probably not going to do much for the odor itself. There are spot carpet treatments available that can be effective on certain odors and the cause of the odor, but it is essential that the directions be followed and tested to ensure that they will not ultimately damage the carpet. Professional carpet cleaning can safely remove dirt, spots, and odors without leaving any residue behind.
TAKE SOME DEEP BREATHS, IT WILL BE OK
Most people in Wichita, Kansas, and around the United States spend 90% of their time indoors. It is estimated that concentrations of pollutants are 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. These high concentration levels can be attributed to several causes. One of the major factors that can cause poor indoor air quality is lack of ventilation. The issue of inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. As consumers, it is possible to reduce the use of products that lower the air quality in the home, but without proper ventilation, those concentrations of pollutants can still build up and affect the air quality and comfort of the home. Thankfully, there are solutions that can help:
- Limit the use of products in the home that will affect indoor air quality
- Install and use an indoor air purifier
- Arrange for air duct and vent cleaning
It may be easy to limit or eliminate certain odors by changing or stopping the use of certain household products. Indoor air purifiers can be useful when dealing with some airborne allergens, but may not be quite as effective with odors. If the odor is more due to the lack of ventilation, having the vent/air ducts cleaned in a home would provide the home with not only better ventilation and air quality, but also prevent further odors from accumulating and affecting the indoor air quality.
Whether you are looking for mold remediation, professional carpet cleaning, or air duct and vent cleaning, FreshCo Cleaning and Restoration can help to remove odors and to help improve indoor air quality in your home. Give us a call today, and we will be happy to help!
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— Pam B. in Hutchinson, Kansas
