genuinegirly

All winter, we've been cooking exciting dishes. Unfortunately these smells tend to linger. Then they start to pile up on top of one another. Without being able to open our windows and air out our apartment during the wintertime, I'm really not sure how to cleanse the air.

We have an air filter and a couple of houseplants. They don't seem to make a dent.

We have tried scented candles and air fresheners, they only add to the cacophony of existing smells.

Any advice is apprecaited!

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

Baraka_Guru

Unforch, there is little else you can do besides open a window.

Houseplants do relatively little, despite common beliefs, and scented candles and air fresheners only add chemicals. Actually, burning candles can put pollutants into the air, only making things worse.

An air filter would be the next best thing to fresh air, I suppose.

You might want to try using vinegar and water to clean from ceiling to floor in your kitchen, as smells can cling to surfaces and ceilings. Some people even boil vinegar and water for 10 minutes, but I'm not sure if this works.

Try cleaning the walls in the rest of the apartment as well.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

genuinegirly

We've been able to open our windows a couple of days for a couple of hours here and there, but there is no window in the kitchen, where the bulk of the smells congregate.

I'll attack the walls as you describe this weekend. I'll let you know if it helps.


I wonder how much of the smell is leaking in from other apartments nearby, and how much is our own doing.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

ring

I closed the windows when it was colder than -10 (Farenheit),
this winter, otherwise they stay open a little, (an inch or less),
most of the time.

I admit to having the heat on while the windows are open.

Have you ever experienced that sleepy, groggy feeling
inside any building without oxygen?, be it sitting by a roaring fireplace
with no fresh air coming in,
or a large office building filled with dead-air. (too much carbon dioxide)


Edit: Just saw your post,
good luck with the cleaning,
Spring is just around the corner!

Baraka_Guru

Give'er a go. Don't be afraid to go strong: 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water.

Also try building one of those vinegar and baking soda volcanoes in your kitchen sink. That should eliminate smells coming from there. Maybe let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it away. Even pouring boiling water down sink drains help, so imagine what a vinegar volcano would do.

__________________
Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

snowy

The method for cleaning a drain with baking soda/vinegar/water, according to Kim and Aggie from "How Clean Is Your House?":

1. Sprinkle baking soda down the drain. Use about a half a cup per drain.
2. Pour white vinegar into drain, a bit at a time.
3. Once foaming subsides, rinse drain with boiling water.

This works for sink drains, tub drains, shower drains, etc.

Scouring your sink with baking soda will also help with day-to-day odors. I personally don't like the smell of vinegar too much, so I use hot, soapy water with a smidge of baking soda instead of Baraka's recommended vinegar-water cleaning solution.

And don't forget your fridge--stick a box of baking soda in it to absorb any odors in there. Also, if you haven't cleaned your trash cans in a while, that can help, as can sprinkling a bit of baking soda in the bottom of the trash bag once it's in the can.

Odors are a big problem in our kitchen as well--we have no vent or fan. We do have a window, fortunately, but it doesn't make much of a difference for long-term odors, as residues from cooking cling to the walls. Yuck. But hot, soapy water with a bit of baking soda seems to do the trick.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

RogueGypsy

If you can't open the windows, a thorough cleaning is the best method. When I say thorough, I mean everything: behind, under and around everything. The odor is usually from bacteria and until it's dead or gone, it will smell. Dust is the biggest contributor, it gives all those nasty little particles a place to live and grow, so a thorough dusting will help too.

The vinegar and water trick works, but the smells will come back if the source isn't removed. Just leaving a glass of 50/50 water and vinegar on the counter will freshen the air. Boiling it works faster.
Activated charcoal will absorb odors as well, you can get a 5lb bag at the fish store for about $2. I leave ashtrays around the house with about 1/2 cup in each. My brother and I both smoke, but the charcoal keeps the odor to a minimum. Or so say my none smoker friends, me, I can't smell anything anyway.

__________________
Methods, application and intensity of application vary by the individual. All legal wavers must be signed before 'treatment' begins. Self 'Medicating' is not recommend. However, if necessary, it is best to have an 'assistant' or 'soft landing zone' nearby. Any and all legal issues resulting from improperly applied techniques should be forwarded to: Dewy, Cheatum & Howe, Intercourse, PA 17534. Attn: Anonymous.

girldetective

Hey gg, I understand coffee is quite good at removing odors as well. Just a dish of it in the open air, any kind will do.
It might not tackle the whole problem, but maybe after the cleaning to remove the vinegar smell?

__________________
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons...be cheerful; strive for happiness - Desiderata

ASU2003

I hate the smell of vinegar. I don't think the smell could ever get that bad that I would consider using vinegar.

Bleach and water is what I would use.

RogueGypsy

There is little or no vinegar smell from a glass 50/50 water/vinegar. There is some odor when boiling, but goes away pretty quick.

I don't like the smell of vinegar either, but a few years ago a friend proved how effective it is:

He had a refrigerator that had been left full of food, unplugged, baking in the desert sun for a year. We both puked the first time he opened the door, it was bad! After hosing it out and scrubbing it with Lysol then bleach, it still had the same odor with a hint of pine and bleach. So he stuck a glass 50/50 water and vinegar in it, closed the door and left it over night. The next day ALL odor was gone, no vinegar, no bleach, no pine, no rancid food. All gone. Vinegar is some amazing stuff.

__________________
Methods, application and intensity of application vary by the individual. All legal wavers must be signed before 'treatment' begins. Self 'Medicating' is not recommend. However, if necessary, it is best to have an 'assistant' or 'soft landing zone' nearby. Any and all legal issues resulting from improperly applied techniques should be forwarded to: Dewy, Cheatum & Howe, Intercourse, PA 17534. Attn: Anonymous.

Willravel

Wait, it's just the air? You've cleaned the floors, counter tops, sinks, fridges, and walls and it still smells? There's only one solution:

Invite 30 of your closest friends over to your house. Hand out pieces of peppermint gum to everyone (or cinnamon if you're awesome). Lock the door, put some pillows on the ground, and then play a few rounds of "whomever passes out last from hyperventilating wins". I'll tell you a secret—everybody wins.

hunnychile

I've never heard of living someplace where you can not open at least one window.

That's scary in a huge way! And almost sci-fi like.

__________________
"I need compassion, understanding and chocolate." - NJB

ring

Yes it is.
A couple of weeks ago the air temp was 25 below 0 (Farenheit),
and the windchill was 48 below 0.

It was a very claustrophobic feeling for me.
It felt like being in a small space craft----with the cold vacuum that would not
sustain life, just outside the window.

Vinegar is the best all around cleaner and freshener.
I use gallons of it, especially for removing hard water deposits.

It is also good to drink it in small amounts as a cleansing tonic.