Heidi Norton
Incense is a great way to add a pleasant aroma to your apartment, but sometimes the scent can become overpowering and you may want to get the incense smell out of your apartment. There are several ways to do this, including using baking soda, activated charcoal, or white vinegar. You can also try airing out your apartment by opening the windows and using a fan to improve airflow, which can help clear the scent. If the incense smell is coming from fabrics, you can try washing them or hanging them outside to air out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | Open windows, create a cross-breeze, use fans |
| Absorbent Substances | Baking soda, activated charcoal, white vinegar |
| Cleaning | Wash fabrics, use soapy water, dilute ammonia, or plain warm water |
| Odour Replacement | Simmer spices (cinnamon, cloves, lemon), use scented candles or essential oils |
| Technology | Ozone generator, UV treatment |
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What You'll Learn
Use an air filter or an ozone generator
If natural methods like ventilation and baking soda are not enough to get the incense smell out of your apartment, you may want to try an air filter or an ozone generator.
Ozone generators are devices that produce ozone gas (O3) to break down and neutralize odors, bacteria, viruses, and other airborne contaminants. They are often advertised as air purifiers or cleaners. However, it is important to note that inhaling ozone can be harmful to humans and animals, and there is limited scientific evidence that it is effective in removing odors. Some vendors of ozone generators claim that their devices have been approved by the federal government for use in occupied spaces, but this is not true.
If you decide to use an ozone generator, be sure to follow safety precautions. Open doors and windows after treatment to allow the ozone to dissipate, and wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before re-entering the space. Ensure that the smell of ozone has dissipated before allowing people, pets, and plants to return. It is also recommended to use an air purifier to speed up the process.
As an alternative to ozone generators, you can try using an air filter. Look for a high-efficiency particle filter or an electrostatic precipitator, as these have been found to be more effective in removing particles from the air than ionizers. If your home has a central forced air system, consider upgrading the filter to at least MERV 13.
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Neutralise odours with baking soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an alkaline substance that neutralises odours through a chemical reaction. When it comes into contact with acidic odours, it reacts to neutralise them, producing a less odorous compound. This change in pH helps eliminate the smell.
Baking soda is a versatile and effective deodoriser that can be used in many ways to remove incense smells from your apartment. It can be sprinkled on carpets, rugs, and mattresses, and left for up to an hour before being vacuumed up. You can also create a baking soda paste by mixing it with water, which can be used to clean and deodorise surfaces like sinks, cutting boards, and litter boxes. For fabrics and upholstery, sprinkle baking soda and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming or wiping away the residue.
To remove incense smells from your dishwasher or oven, you can use baking soda as well. For the dishwasher, simply dump a cup of baking soda into the machine and run it through a rinse cycle. For the oven, make a paste with half a cup of baking soda, a few tablespoons of water, and a squirt of degreasing dish soap. Coat the oven with the paste and let it sit overnight, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.
While baking soda is an excellent natural odour neutraliser, it may not completely eliminate very strong or stubborn smells. In these cases, an additional step may be needed, such as an enzyme cleaner or a product like Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2), which breaks down odour molecules at their source.
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Absorb scents with activated charcoal
To get incense smell out of your apartment, you can use activated charcoal, a substance that has been used for centuries to remove toxins and odors. Activated charcoal is highly porous, enabling it to absorb odor-causing molecules in the air. It is also nontoxic, although it should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Activated charcoal can be purchased online or from hardware stores and pet stores. It comes in various forms, including powder, pellets, and whole pieces of charcoal. To absorb scents, you can place the charcoal in bowls or canisters and set them around your home, focusing on areas prone to unpleasant smells, such as the kitchen or bathroom. You can also place the charcoal in sachets or small fabric bags and hang them in closets, laundry areas, or other locations.
Another option is to use activated charcoal bags, which are designed specifically for odor absorption. These bags are often made of bamboo charcoal and can be placed in discreet locations around your home, such as closets, basements, and shoe racks. They are convenient, as they come with hanging hooks, and the charcoal is well-packed in sturdy fabric bags.
To enhance the effectiveness of activated charcoal, you can combine it with other methods. For example, you can use a fan to circulate the air and direct the incense smell towards an open window, allowing fresh air to ventilate the room. You can also try placing bowls of baking soda around the home, as it has odor-absorbing properties.
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Ventilate the room with fans and open windows
To get rid of the incense smell from your apartment, one of the most effective methods is to ventilate the room with fans and open windows. This helps to circulate fresh air and dispel the lingering incense odor. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the process:
Firstly, open all the windows in your apartment to allow fresh air to enter and facilitate the dissipation of the incense smell. If possible, open windows in multiple rooms to create cross-ventilation and increase air circulation.
Now, bring out your fans and strategically position them to maximize the ventilation process. Place one or more fans near the open windows, ensuring they are facing outward. This setup will enable the fans to push the incense-laden air out of the apartment and draw in fresh air from outside.
For optimal results, consider using more powerful fans, such as box fans or squirrel-cage blower fans. These types of fans can move a larger volume of air, enhancing the ventilation process. If you have a window-mounted fan, place it directly in the window frame, as this will be more effective for blowing air out of the room.
While the fans are running, you can also utilize the air purifier, as mentioned earlier. An air purifier with an odor-absorbing filter will help capture and eliminate any remaining incense odor particles from the air. This combination of fans and an air purifier will work together to efficiently remove the incense smell.
Additionally, you can employ natural odor absorbers like baking soda or vinegar. Set out bowls of baking soda or vinegar in various places around your apartment. These substances will help neutralize and absorb any lingering incense odors that the fans and open windows might miss.
By following these steps and maintaining good ventilation, you should be able to effectively eliminate the incense smell from your apartment. It may take some time, but rest assured that the combination of fans, open windows, and natural odor absorbers will leave your living space smelling fresh and pleasant once again.
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Wash fabrics or hang them outside to air out
If your fabrics have absorbed the incense smell, you can try washing them or hanging them outside to air out.
For washable fabrics, you can try using laundry boosters, which are washing additives that help remove bacteria and smells from clothing. You can use store-bought brands or organic homemade soaps, such as Borax or baking soda. If using a store-bought variety, mix 1/2 cup (120 ml) with your detergent and wash your clothes in warm water. Read the instructions on the label to ensure the product is suitable for the fabric you are trying to clean.
Another option is to add 1 cup (240 ml) of vinegar to your wash cycle. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and can be used in place of laundry detergent to absorb unpleasant odors. You can also apply a simple solution made with ingredients like baking soda, lemon juice, or coffee grounds to the garments before washing them in the machine.
For fabrics that cannot be washed, try hanging them outside to air out for a few hours. Fresh air can help lift trapped odors from fabrics, and the sun helps eliminate bacteria and freshen them up.
Additionally, you can try sprinkling baking soda over the fabrics. Baking soda is great at absorbing unwanted odors. Just make sure to cover the entire area for best results, and let it sit for a few hours or overnight before vacuuming it up.
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Frequently asked questions
Try these methods to get the incense smell out of your apartment:
- Open the windows to let in fresh air.
- Place a fan near an open window to help push the smell out.
- Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, furniture, or fabrics that retain the incense scent. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum it up.
- Place bowls of baking soda around the room to absorb the odour from the air.
- Wash any fabrics that retain the incense smell, such as curtains, couch covers, or clothing.
Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, furniture, or fabrics that retain the incense scent. Make sure to cover the entire area for the best results. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum it up. You can also place bowls of baking soda around the room to absorb the odour from the air. Remember to change the baking soda every few days.
Activated charcoal can be used to absorb the incense smell. Place the charcoal in a bowl or a sealed plastic bag and leave it in the room. You can also try using a small-scale ozone generator to destroy the odour molecules, but be careful to avoid breathing in the ozone.
If the incense has permeated your walls, you may need to repaint them. You should also replace any carpets, as the incense perfumes can soak into these surfaces. Additionally, remember to replace the furnace filter.
Yes, you can try simmering spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and lemon slices in a pot of water on your stove. This will make your home smell pleasant and help overpower any leftover incense scent.
