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Getting rid of pesky odors
Seasonal house cleaning will give your home a fresh, clean smell, especially after we have been keeping all our doors and windows shut during the cold winter months. As soon as you started keeping the windows closed, your house started to take on a stale and musty odor, it only serves to make the home smell worse, if someone is always smoking inside. In fact, cigarette smoke can be the worst of all the odors in your home. You are only fooling yourself if you think the problem can be covered up with lighting candles, or spraying air fresheners. We want to offer some tips that you might find a little more effective at removing cigarette odors from your home.
Cigarette smoke in your carpets
The smell of cigarette smoke can last for years in carpet and upholstery fibers. Smoke particles also discolor and cling to the walls, surfaces of appliances, and clothing. Yet, if you are a smoker, you probably are not even aware of the cigarette odors in your home. The best thing is to call one of your non-smoking friends in to give you a trusted opinion. When it comes to removing odors from carpets; sprinkle baking soda over the suspected areas, and let it sit for a couple hours. This will allow the baking soda to absorb the odor. Vacuum the treated carpets with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. If this does not remove the odor, you will need to rent a carpet and upholstery cleaner.
Deep cleaning the fabrics
If you have ever experienced spending the night in a smoky bar, you cannot forget how you could still smell smoke on your clothes the next day. The same process applies to the fabrics in your home. They will hold onto any lingering smoke from constant smoking in the home. While it might not necessarily be possible, try to collect all the fabric in your home. This includes throw rugs, pillows, bedding, blankets, and curtains. If you have a large enough washing machine, you can throw all these through a cold wash cycle with 2 cups of vinegar added to the load.
After washing, do not use high heat to dry them. The heat seems to reactivate the smoke smell. Instead, use a low heat, fluff cycle. If it is possible, dry them in the sun, which will be even more effective in removing the odor. For larger, bulkier items, you may need to take them down to a dry cleaner. This especially includes delicate items like curtains and window treatments. Many window treatments are expensive, and it is best to get professional help, rather than risk shrinking or damaging them in your washer. After the fabric items have been washed and are odor free, put them in large garbage bags and store them in a smoke free location until you are able to remove the odor from other surfaces in the home.
Seasonal house cleaning services in Charlotte, NC
Every home is unique, and that is why Gloria M’s Cleaning Services are customized to meet your cleaning and housekeeping needs. They offer free in-home consultations in an effort to understand your expectations for your household cleaning. Gloria M’s Cleaning Services offers flexibility in the frequency of home cleanings, and options for “green” cleaning services upon request. Keeping your special considerations and your budget in mind, they provide consistent and dependable seasonal house cleaning services.