4 Bad Outdoor Smells and How to Fight Them

For new homeowners, the thought of getting smacked in their faces by a less-than-savory smell is the least of their worries. Between juggling landscaping duties, unpacking boxes, and learning the lay of the land, who can blame them? For individuals who are settling into their homes and want to know why the exterior of their property smells like the dumpster at an NFL game, here’s what they need to know.

Dry P-Trap

A P-trap system is utilized within homes to capture and prevent harmful bacteria and gases from re-entering the interior of the property. Without these devices in place, homeowners would soon feel the detrimental effects of their water and sewage system, such as headache, fever, nausea, deliriousness, respiratory infections, and organ damage.

For owners who’ve begun to notice the stench of eggs around the exterior and interior of their homes, a dried P-trap is to blame. The problem occurs when the water contained within the P-trap’s piping dries up, and gases push back into the interior and exterior of a home. Addressing this issue is a brilliant way to make one’s home smell pleasant and inviting.

Industrial Fumes

Some individuals — specifically those who live near factories or industrial sites — notice their homes have an awful stench that originates from their local businesses. While convincing the factory to move to a new location seems like a brilliant idea, complaints typically fall on deaf ears. However, homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief knowing there are tricks and tips to make their surroundings smell pleasant and inviting.

First and foremost, property owners should exchange their air filters in their homes more frequently than individuals who live in non-industrial zones. Although their mileage may vary, replacing air filters on a three to four-month basis provides fresh air in their home and kicks industrial smells to the curb.

Next, utilizing a combination of white vinegar and ingenuity around the home absorbs would-be smells and prevents them from plaguing the area. To create this homemade concoction, put a cup of distilled white vinegar into small containers and place them around the home. Within a 24-hour window, the vinegar will absorb the foul smells and leave the area smelling amazing once more!

Animal Stench

For those of us who have pets that we hold near and dear to our hearts, we know how smelly they can be. Wanting to avoid hurting our pet’s feelings, we seek and formulate ideas to eliminate their less-than-pleasant odors that creep into our daily lives.

An effective means of achieving this goal is by placing activated charcoal powder into the areas where your pets use the restroom. For cat owners, this process is simple: put some charcoal inside of their litter box to absorb the nastiness without disturbing your sassy feline’s environment. And for the canine owners who let their dog use the bathroom in their backyard, placing some charcoal around their favorite potty locations is ideal for eliminating those pungent animal odors.

Smoke

Whether you live in a neighborhood of chain-smokers or next to a forest that frequently becomes engulfed in flames, the smell of smoke can stop us dead in our tracks. But how do homeowners get rid of the pesky smoke that floods their homes, exteriors, and storage spaces? If it seems like an uphill battle, think again! Here are the tried-and-true methods to eliminate smoke smells and refresh one’s home in a matter of days:

  • Bowls of distilled white vinegar
  • Use box fans, desktop fans, and ceiling fans
  • Steam-clean walls, curtains, hardwood, and furniture
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Strategically-placed candles
  • Carpet shampooing
  • Mopping hardwood surfaces
  • Air purifiers

As a last-ditch effort to rid one’s house of smoke, we suggest using ammonia-based products. However, use extreme caution when using ammonia, and only rely on this product only when other forms of cleaning have failed. Before you know it, wildfire smoke, seasonal burning residue, and second-hand toxins will cease to exist inside your home. You can also use the best air purifiers for wildfire smoke if you are frequently exposed to it, as anyone downwind of California.

Wake Up and Smell the Roses

Like most things in life, being proactive provides better results compared to waiting until the last second. Rather than sitting around the home until the smells become too unbearable, take heed and utilize the strategies and tips listed above to block odors before they arrive at your front door.

By dedicating a few weekends to smell-proofing your home and exterior, you cause would-be odors to turn and flee. The next time you’re lying in bed at night soaking in the pleasant aromas flooding your home, you’ll be thankful you followed our advice!

Pritam Chakrabortty
Pritam Chakrabortty
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