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FACTS ABOUT ODORS AND ODOR CONTROL |
| The
current scientific data of how we actually smell odors proposes
that odor molecules fit into smell receptor sites in our noses
based on their shapes and sizes. Thus, a combination of odor
molecules fitting into a specific group of receptors will send
a message to our brain that we smell lemon, for instance. So
it stands to reason that if we eliminate odor molecules, or
change them so that they don't fit the receptors in our noses
the same way as before, we can reduce odor problems.
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| PROCESS
OF ODOR CONTROL |
| The process of odor
control is straightforward: |
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Locate the source of the
odor
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Remove as much as possible
-
Treat the remaining residues
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Locating the source and cleaning the area
are also reasonably straightforward. The substances to
be removed dictate the types of cleaning methods, and the
products used. (The product references that follow will
discuss cleaning methods).
Treatment of residues can take many forms. Selection of a
particular treatment depends on the problem (or problems)
being addressed. Generally there are eight types of deodorizers
available, and each works in a different fashion: |
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| TYPES OF DEODORIZERS |
| Adsorbents |
These are solid materials, usually in granular
or powdered form. Adsorbents act to "scrub" odor
molecules from the air. A typical adsorbent is activated
charcoal. |
| Biocides |
kill or inhibit the growth of odor-causing microorganisms
like mold and mildew. |
| Encapsulants |
coat odor molecules and set up an odor barrier |
| Enzymes |
eat up odor-causing organic products like grease and food |
| Molecular Modifiers |
change the physical structure of odor molecules causing
them to be perceived differently in our noses |
| Neutralizers |
halt off-gassing caused by chemical reactions. Neutralizing
a sulfuric acid reaction will eliminate the associated sulfur
smell |
| Oxidizers |
speed up the organic decomposition process and "use
up" the available odor causing source materials. Skunk
odor and stale food smells in refrigerators respond well
to oxidizers. |
| Masking Agents |
are not really deodorizers, but are commonly used in conjunction
with the above products to replace unpleasant smells while
the products are working to eliminate the odor sources. |
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| APPLICATION
GUIDE |
| Smoke/Odor Problem |
Product(s) Used |
Method |
| Pet/Urine Odors |
- Acid Pre-Spotter
- Enzyme
Odor Remover Area Spray
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Pre-treat with Acid Pre-Spotter, rinse
and extract with Enzyme Odor Remover. Treat hard surfaces
and areas under carpets with Area Spray |
Mold/Mildew Odors
Tobacco Smoke Odors
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- All Surface Decontaminant
Cleaner
- Air Neutralizer Liquid or
- Orange Odor
Counteractant
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Clean affected area per
label instructions. If necessary treat after with Microban
Disinfectant. Clean affected area(s), then apply deodorizer
as per label instructions. Use Orange Odor Counteractact
on hard surfaces, per label instructions. |
Spoiled Food Odors
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- Enzyme Odor Remover or
- Liquid
Oxidizer
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For
food spilled on carpets: clean
and remove as much as possible, and treat with Enzyme
Odor Remover. For odors in refrigerators,
freezers, etc.
clean surfaces and apply Liquid Oxidizer per label instructions. |
General Cooking/Living Odors
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- All-Purpose Deodorizer Additive or
- Deodorizing
Carpet Detergent with Enzymes or Odor Counteractant
- Detergent
Rinse or
- All-Fiber Deodorizing Acid Rinse or
- Kill
Odor Mist
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Add All-Purpose Deodorizer Additive to
detergent solution per label directions.
For greasy carpets: use Deodorizing Carpet Detergent with Enzymes.
For carpets with combinations of odors: use Odor Counteractant Detergent
Rinse as a final cleaning step. If you prespray and rinse with an acid
solution try All-Fiber Deodorizing Acid Rinse.
Use Kill Odor Mist as a general deodorizing fog after cleaning per label
instructions. |
General Smoke Odor Removal
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- General Purpose Smoke Odor
Remover
- Ultimate Odor Remover
- Granular Odor Counteractant
Solvent Based Thermal Fogging Agent or
- Water Based Thermal
Fogging Agent
- Blue Degreaser
- Powdered Wall Wash
- Liquid Wall Wash
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Step1:
Spray
a solution of General Purpose Smoke Odor Remover and water
onto odor sources.
For heavy odor situations, add Ultimate Odor Remover to the spray solution.
Step 2:
Apply Granular Odor Counteractant per label
instructions.
Step 3:
Hot fog with either Solvent Based or Water Based Thermal Fogging
Agent.
Step 4:
Spray walls with a solution of Blue Degreaser and hot water and
wash with a solution of General Purpose Smoke Odor Remover and either
Powdered Wall Wash or Liquid Wall Wash. |
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| ANIMAL URINE |
1. Components
Water,
yellow pigment, urea, uric acid, cholesterol, enzymes,
etc. Eventually, due to rapid bacterial action, the acid
nature of the urine is changed to a highly alkaline compound
(ammonia). Ammonia can cause loss of fiber color often
mistakenly associated with the presence (yellow color)
of urine.
2. The territorial nature of animals
If animals are present, urine is present; i.e., they
will mark and remark (after deodorization) their territory
- it's simply part of their psychological make-up!
Seventy-two percent of homes have at least one animal.
The breed or pedigree of the animal is irrelevant.
3. Odor amplification
Urine spots are highly absorptive. Alkaline salts
in urine attract moisture from the air.
Humidity amplifies odor.
Carpet cleaners introduce humidity into the home environment, so having your
carpet cleaned may cause urine smell to become more apparent through no fault
of our own.
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4. How to take care of your urine problem yourself
When
the urine leaves the animal, it is in an acid state,
so it must be neutralized so that it doesn't cause damage
to carpet fibers.
- Remove the majority of the urine by
blotting with a clean white towel.
- Press down firmly
to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Repeat until
no stain appears on cloth.
- Then apply 1 teaspoon mild
liquid non-bleach laundry detergent (laundry detergent
is alkaline, so it will neutralize the acidity in
the urine) to 1 quart water apply to the spot with spray
bottle (do
Not overwet) to
the spot and continue to blot until stain
is not apparent. Do not substitute with
dish detergent, as this can leave excess
residue. Try not to use more laundry detergent
than what is called for, since excess detergent
left in the carpet can cause resoiling.
- Your
next step will be to apply straight water
to the spot to rinse all detergent residues.
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With time urine will change to an alkaline
substance (ammonia), 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water will
be your best spot remover if urine is already dry. If not,
use above procedure. The vinegar will neutralize the alkalinity
of the urine to prevent any color loss to your fabric or
carpet fiber.
Urine can be a major problem , For
minor odor problems a straight cleaning with
a deodorizer and disinfectant can take care of the problem .
If the problem is more severe an enzyme can
be injected directly into the underpad to eat out the
alkaline salts which are the base of an odor problem.
A special Blacklight is needed to locate the source.
In most cases it is necessary to lift the carpet, replace
the underpad, and even apply sealer to the sub-floor
to lock in odor molecules. Some consumers and companies
will apply a deodorizer to the source and believe the
problem has been taken care of. However, these procedures
only mask the odor, they do not deal with the problem
directly. |
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