Katrina Rosales
Living in an apartment building means sometimes having to deal with unwanted smells from your neighbours. Whether it's cigarette smoke, food odours, or strong chemical fragrances, these smells can be annoying, unhealthy, and even trigger allergic reactions. While it can be difficult to completely block these smells, there are several strategies you can use to minimise their impact on your living space. From sealing up cracks and improving air circulation to using air purifiers and natural odour absorbers, you can take back control of how your home smells.
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What You'll Learn
Seal entryways with door sweeps and weather stripping
If you're looking to block chemical fragrance smells from an apartment below, one effective method is to seal entryways with door sweeps and weather stripping. This creates a barrier against outside elements, including fragrances, smoke, and other chemicals.
Door sweeps, also known as door bottoms, are simple to install and highly effective at reducing leaks and blocking outside elements from entering your home. They can be purchased ready-made or custom-made to fit your door opening. To install a door sweep, simply cut it to the length of your door and nail it to the interior or exterior surface, ensuring it makes contact with the door for a tight seal. If your door is exposed to rain, it is recommended to install the sweep on the interior to prevent water from pooling on top.
Weather stripping is another useful tool for sealing entryways and preventing unwanted smells from entering your apartment. It is often used in conjunction with door sweeps to ensure a comprehensive seal. Weather stripping can be applied to the perimeter of older entry doors, as well as the door jamb around a new screen or storm door, providing excellent insulation and reducing air leaks.
By utilizing door sweeps and weather stripping, you can effectively seal entryways and create a barrier against chemical fragrance smells from the apartment below. This two-pronged approach ensures that gaps and cracks around your door are minimized, reducing the infiltration of unwanted odours and improving the overall air quality of your home.
In addition to sealing entryways, other strategies to block chemical fragrance smells include using air purifiers, cleaning with natural products like vinegar and baking soda, and ensuring proper ventilation in your apartment. By combining these techniques, you can effectively reduce the impact of unwanted smells and create a more comfortable and healthy living environment.
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Use an air purifier with charcoal filters
If you are struggling with fragrance smells from the apartment below, one of the best solutions is to use an air purifier with charcoal or carbon filters. This is a highly effective method of removing chemical fragrance smells from the air in your home.
Air purifiers with charcoal or carbon filters are designed to absorb and contain odours, as well as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and smoke. They are often used in combination with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is proven to be the most effective technique for dealing with particulate pollutants. The activated charcoal or carbon in the filter has a small electro-positive charge, which attracts and absorbs negatively charged impurities and chemicals. This includes things like formaldehyde, benzene, VOCs, radon, trihalomethane, nitrogen dioxide, chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and other man-made gases.
There are several air purifiers on the market that use activated charcoal or carbon filters. For example, the IQAir Health Pro Plus has a large activated charcoal filter, as well as a pre-filter, HyperHEPA filter, and fan. The Alen 75i also combines activated charcoal with a high-quality HEPA filter. These air purifiers are not typically low-priced, as they require a large amount of carbon to be effective, and this is an expensive material. However, they are an excellent solution for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) as they can absorb formaldehyde, perfumes, and household cleaning chemicals, making the air in your home fresher and healthier.
If you are struggling with fragrance smells from a neighbour, it is worth investing in an air purifier with charcoal or carbon filters to improve the air quality in your home and protect your health.
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Improve air circulation with exhaust fans
Improving the air circulation in your apartment can help reduce unwanted smells from your neighbours. Exhaust fans are a great way to do this.
First, check your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to ensure they are pulling air at an effective speed. You can do this by holding a piece of toilet paper up to the fan and letting go. If the fan is powerful enough, it should keep the paper suspended. If not, your building's roof fan may need to be inspected.
If your exhaust fans are working effectively, make sure to turn them on whenever you cook. This will help remove potentially hazardous fumes, moisture, and odours. It will also help remove oil and smoke residue from your walls and furniture.
If your apartment has windows, you can try cross-ventilation. Open two windows on opposite sides of your apartment and use a fan to bring air in from one side, move it across the room, and out the other window. This will help the room feel less stuffy and cooler.
If your apartment is attached to your neighbour's and you are unable to get them to run an exhaust fan, you may want to provide easy access to makeup air through a window that is not on the side of the building where the fragrance is coming from.
Finally, make sure your landlord is changing out your air filters regularly. If not, ask them to allow you to do this. Air filters block things like dirt, dust mites, pet dander, and spores.
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Sealant for gaps in walls
If you are experiencing unwanted smells from a neighbouring apartment, there are a few things you can do to prevent the infiltration of fragrance. Firstly, identify the source of the smell and whether it is coming from a neighbour with an adjoining wall, another apartment, or the outdoor air.
One option to prevent smells from entering your apartment is to use a gap filler to seal any gaps, cracks, or openings in your walls. Gap fillers are made from polyurethane-based polymer, which expands rapidly upon application, filling gaps of up to 3 inches on a single application. For wider gaps, multiple layers may be required. Gap fillers not only block unwanted smells but also help prevent air leaks, pests, moisture, and other elements from entering your space. They are easy to use and can be applied with a straw adapter or a spray gun.
If you are looking for a more natural solution, you can try cleaning the affected areas with vinegar and baking soda, and then painting the walls. Alternatively, Deodoroc mineral blocks are a product that many chemically sensitive people have found effective in removing unwanted smells.
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Baking soda, vinegar, and charcoal to neutralise odours
Baking soda, vinegar, and charcoal can all be used to neutralise odours. Here are some ways to use these products to block chemical fragrance smells from an apartment below:
Baking Soda
Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline substance that neutralises acidic odours through a chemical reaction. It can be used to minimise unwanted smells around your home, such as in your garbage can, carpet, or furnishings. To use baking soda, sprinkle it on vacuumable surfaces like carpets, rugs, and mattresses, let it sit for up to an hour, and then vacuum it up. For enclosed spaces like refrigerators or closets, you can keep baking soda in a vented jar and allow it to sit, refreshing the powder every month or so.
Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar can be used as a natural, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and safe alternative to commercial air fresheners. It contains mild acetic acid, which can inhibit odour-causing bacteria. To use vinegar as an air freshener, pour it into a spray bottle and mist the room as often as needed. You can also add essential oils or ingredients like herbs, citrus peels, or flower petals to the vinegar to create a pleasant scent. Place a bowl of vinegar in a discreet spot, such as the corner of a bookshelf or cabinet, to neutralise odours in a specific area.
Charcoal
Activated charcoal is particularly effective at removing odours. To use charcoal, place it in tubs or hang charcoal sacks or pouches around the room for extended periods. For more odorous or larger areas, you can use multiple tubs of charcoal or pour charcoal into the bottom of a bin to neutralise the smell.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to block chemical fragrance smells from the apartment below. Firstly, identify the source of the smell and whether it is coming from a shared vent or through the walls. If it is the former, you can use vent filters with activated charcoal. If it is the latter, seal any gaps in your front door with a door sweep and weather stripping. You can also use products like Deodoroc mineral blocks or air purifiers with charcoal filters.
Natural remedies for blocking chemical fragrance smells include placing bowls of charcoal around your home, using baking soda or vinegar, or chewing peppermint gum.
To prevent fragrance smells from entering your apartment, ensure your windows and doors are airtight and that your door closes properly. You can also use a draft-stopper to seal the bottom of your door.
If your neighbour is causing fragrance smells, try talking to them first. They may not be aware of the issue and may be more courteous going forward. If this does not work, you can get your landlord involved to help mediate the situation.
