Lance Carson
Incense is a popular way to create a calming atmosphere and is often used during meditation and yoga. However, the smoke produced by incense can be overpowering and linger for a long time, affecting the health of those who inhale it. Long-term exposure to incense smoke has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and upper respiratory tract cancer. As a result, it is important to know how to get rid of incense smoke and its smell to maintain a safe and pleasant environment.
How to get rid of incense smell
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Open windows | Creating a cross-breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the room can help clear the air inside. |
| Fans | Using a fan can help push the stale air out, making the process faster and more effective. |
| Air purifier | An air purifier can help clean the air and get rid of the incense smell. Look for one with a HEPA filter or an activated carbon filter. |
| Baking soda | Baking soda can absorb unwanted odors. Sprinkle it on carpets, furniture, or anywhere else that's holding onto the incense scent. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum it up. |
| Vinegar | Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, then spritz it around the room. The vinegar smell will disappear quickly, taking the incense smell with it. |
| Activated charcoal | Activated charcoal can absorb scent molecules at a molecular level. Place it in bowls around the room to trap and absorb the incense smell. |
| Repainting | If the incense smell has permeated into walls or other surfaces, it may be necessary to repaint or otherwise replace the affected surfaces. |
| Ozone generator | An ozone generator can be used to destroy odor molecules, but it is important to avoid breathing in the ozone. |
| UV treatment | UV treatment may help with surface contamination, but it can be tricky and requires careful handling. |
| Household cleaning products | Ordinary household cleaning products can be used to clean incense smoke from walls and ceilings. Test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not damage the paint. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a fan to ventilate the room
Burning incense releases a variety of hazardous chemicals, including benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These chemicals can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and nausea. Long-term exposure to incense smoke can also increase your risk of heart disease and upper respiratory tract cancer. Therefore, it is important to ventilate the room when burning incense.
One way to ventilate the room is to use a fan. A fan can help disperse the smoke and reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals. Place a fan at one end of the room, pointing it towards an open window. This will allow the fan to suck in the air and odour and push it out of the room through the window. Let the fan run for an hour or so until all the incense smell is gone.
If you don't have a window or vent in the room, a fan can still help to circulate the air and prevent any buildup of odors. Just be sure to keep the fan running for a while to ensure that the smoke and odors are dispersed.
In addition to using a fan, you can also improve ventilation by opening a window. Even cracking a window a few inches can provide some added ventilation. However, be aware that the smell may still escape and linger in other parts of your home or neighbouring homes, especially if you are burning strong-scented incense.
To further reduce the impact of incense smoke, try burning it in a well-ventilated area, such as a living room, rather than a closed space like a bedroom or bathroom. These areas tend to be hotter and have poorer ventilation, increasing the concentration of smoke and hazardous chemicals.
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Place incense on a heat-resistant surface
Incense has been used for centuries across the world, and its scent is often calming and relaxing. However, it is important to be cautious when burning incense, as it can pose a health and safety hazard if not handled properly.
When burning incense, it is crucial to place it on a heat-resistant surface. This is because the incense stick can easily topple over and start a fire if placed on a flammable surface such as wood or fabric. To prevent this, always use a heat-resistant surface such as a concrete, ceramic, glass, or metal incense burner. These materials are less likely to catch fire and cause accidents.
Additionally, ensure that the incense is placed in a stable holder or stand to keep it upright and secure. Avoid using flammable holders, such as those made of wood, fabric, plastic, or paper/cardboard. These materials can easily catch fire if the incense embers fall on them.
It is also important to never leave burning incense unattended. Always stay nearby and keep an eye on it to prevent any potential fire hazards. If you need to extinguish the incense, do not blow it out like a candle, as this can disperse burning embers. Instead, press the lit tip against a heat-resistant surface until the ember breaks off, or use a bowl of sand or water to safely put it out.
By following these precautions and placing incense on a heat-resistant surface, you can safely enjoy the calming scent of incense while minimizing the risk of accidents.
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Use incense burners with perforated holes
Burning incense sticks can fill a room with a beautiful scent, but the smoke can be overpowering and even hazardous to health. To reduce smoke, consider using an incense burner with perforated holes, also known as a backflow incense burner.
Backflow incense is a relatively new type of incense where the smoke flows in the opposite direction to regular incense, moving downwards instead of upwards. This type of incense is usually in the shape of a cone or a stick, with a small, hollow tunnel through the centre, ending in a hole at the bottom. When backflow incense is burned, the smoke enters the hollow tunnel, cools as it moves through the tunnel, and exits at the bottom, flowing gently downwards.
To burn backflow incense, light the pointy end of the incense cone or stick with a match or lighter. Ensure the incense is immersed in the flame and gently fan or blow out the flame once a small flame is visible. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke coming out of the bottom, the incense has been correctly lit.
To avoid smoke escaping from the backflow incense burner, ensure the plate holding the incense is clean and the hole is unobstructed. If the burner has been used multiple times, resin from previous incense cones can get stuck to the plate. It is recommended to clean the burner after every 2-3 cones burnt.
Using a backflow incense burner with perforated holes will help to guide and direct the smoke, creating mesmerizing downward-flowing plumes of smoke. This type of burner is ideal for those who wish to enjoy the fragrance of incense without the smoke and mess.
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Sprinkle baking soda on fabrics and upholstery
If you're looking to remove the smell of incense from fabrics and upholstery, baking soda is a great option. Not only is it effective at minimising odours, but it's also a natural, chemical-free solution. The alkaline properties of baking soda help neutralise acidic compounds that cause bad smells.
To use baking soda on fabrics and upholstery, start by sprinkling it generously over the affected areas. Make sure to cover the entire area for the best results. You can also gently work the baking soda into the fabric with a soft-bristled brush, being careful not to brush against the fabric's grain to avoid damage. Let the baking soda sit for 20 minutes to a few hours, or even overnight if the odour is strong. The longer you can let it sit, the more effective it will be at absorbing and neutralising the incense smell.
After the baking soda has had time to work its magic, it's important to vacuum it up thoroughly. Use a handheld vacuum or a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to ensure you remove all the powder from the fabric. This step is crucial, as leaving baking soda residue on your fabrics can lead to a mess later on.
If the incense smell is particularly stubborn, you may need to repeat the process or combine it with other odour-removing techniques. For example, you can try placing bowls of baking soda around the room to absorb lingering scents in the air. Additionally, opening windows and using fans to create a cross-breeze can help ventilate the space and speed up the odour removal process. You can also try hanging fabrics outside in the fresh air and sunlight, as this can help lift trapped odours.
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Use low-smoke incense
Burning incense is a common practice in many cultures and religions. However, it can also be a source of indoor air pollution and may pose health hazards when used frequently and over long periods. In particular, long-term daily exposure to incense smoke has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and upper respiratory tract cancer.
To mitigate these potential health risks, one option is to use low-smoke incense. Low-smoke incense products are ideal for those who are sensitive to incense smoke or who live in modern homes or apartments with limited ventilation. These types of incense sticks are also perfect for small or narrow spaces and for those who want to concentrate more on the individual fragrances.
There are several low-smoke incense options available on the market. Nippon Kodo, for example, offers a range of low-smoke incense sticks, including "Less Smoke," "Lesser Smoke," and "Little to None." These incense sticks are made primarily from charcoal and fragrance, resulting in a lower emission of particulate matter. Other brands that offer low-smoke incense include Jittoku-Koh and Koukando's Sennenko, which are wood-based and thicker than average incense sticks.
When choosing a low-smoke incense, it is important to consider the thickness of the stick and the quantity of charcoal it contains, as these factors can influence the amount of smoke and particulate matter produced. Additionally, some types of incense, such as Indian-style incenses and large Chinese joss sticks, produce a significant amount of smoke and may not be suitable for indoor use or for those with respiratory sensitivities.
To further reduce the impact of incense smoke, it is recommended to use proper ventilation. Opening windows and using fans can help dissipate the smoke and improve air quality. It is also important to be mindful of the amount of incense burned and to follow recommended guidelines, such as the suggestion by Taoist priest Chung Kwang Tong to burn only one stick of incense in the morning and one at night.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to get rid of incense smells. You can try improving airflow by opening windows and using fans to push out the stale air. You can also use natural absorbers like baking soda, activated charcoal, or even bowls of vinegar to absorb and neutralise the odour. If you're looking for a quick fix, you could try lighting scented candles or using essential oil diffusers to mask the incense smell.
If incense is burned regularly, it's a good idea to invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter to improve air quality and capture small particles. You could also consider repainting walls and cabinets to "seal in" the smell.
Natural absorbers like baking soda, activated charcoal, and vinegar are effective in removing incense odours without the use of harsh chemicals. Placing bowls of these substances around the room will help absorb the scent molecules.
