Re: how to get rid of fragrant carpet smell

[Guest guest]

Do you know the source of the fumes? Is it recently installed so

that the fumes are because it is new (e.g. less than one year old)?

If so, is it the carpet or padding? Was it glued or tacked down?

If not new, then it may be the manner in which it was cleaned prior

to your moving into the place. The past tenants may have had it

professionally cleaned or habitually vacuumed it with fragranced

powders like carpet fresh.

Lastly, there may have been something done in the place such as

painting or new cabinetry put in. Fumes were absorbed into the

fibers because the place wasn't ventilated properly. Hopefully the

place was not exterminated or 'bombed' so that pesticides were

absorbed into the rug.

Depending upon the source, you might do different things.

If 'bombed', the rug needs to be removed entirely. You cannot get

pesticides out of fabric and steam cleaning it will merely

activate/volitalize the chemicals again. Knowing the source is

therefore important.

For other things, vapor cleaning or even steam cleaning with just

water may help remove odors if due to previous cleaning products

used on it.

Putting on a layer of plain baking soda for awhile to absorb scents

and then vacuuming is helpful but it will have a bleaching effect if

left for too long so you could wind up with some damage to the

color. However, I have found this helpful in the past.

For reduction in fumes (but not at the source) you can take aluminam

pans and fill with a layer of baking soda. Keep that on shelves, in

closets and out in the room if needed for additional absorption of

odors. Shake the pan to freshen and increase absorption every few

days and replace weekly or as needed.

You may prefer to cover the rug although again, depending upon the

source it may not work. You may use scatter rugs which are washable

cottons or even Denny Foil if very problematic.

The landlord may let you replace the rug or lift it and live with

the wood flooring below, storing the rug somewhere mutually agreed

upon if this is what you need to do.

These are things I have seen people do over the years. Hope it is

helpful.

Barb Rubin

--------------------------------

>

> Dear List Members,

>

> We recently had to move to an apartment while we move towards mold

remediation on our home. Most every other place we've found wad as

bad or worse than our home. The apartment we found has no apparent

mold or must smell-- but there is a fragrance that we would like to

get rid of. Air filters seem to help somewhat, but we think it may

be in the carpet. Has anyone had any success in getting rid of such

odors in a rug? I'd sure appreciate any help. While I'm not

seriously mcs, I do have some sensitivities, but mold is the worst

offender for me-- I would like to minimize whatever chems may be in

the place. It is sadly the best we've found in the area.

>

> Many thanks for your feedback,

> Jac

>

[Guest guest]

my naturopath has told me there is some non-toxic, natural stuff that will

" seal " the carpet-I believe you use it with a carpet cleaner...I've never used

it but my friend has and it worked for her (she has mcs)..I may have to use it

soon, too...

> From: Jac <jacobadler123@...>

> Subject: [] how to get rid of fragrant carpet smell

> " Sick Building Group " < >

> Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008, 9:23 PM

> Dear List Members,

>

> We recently had to move to an apartment while we move

> towards mold remediation on our home. Most every other

> place we've found wad as bad or worse than our home.

> The apartment we found has no apparent mold or must smell--

> but there is a fragrance that we would like to get rid of.

> Air filters seem to help somewhat, but we think it may be

> in the carpet. Has anyone had any success in getting rid of

> such odors in a rug? I'd sure appreciate any help. While

> I'm not seriously mcs, I do have some sensitivities, but

> mold is the worst offender for me-- I would like to minimize

> whatever chems may be in the place. It is sadly the best

> we've found in the area.

>

> Many thanks for your feedback,

> Jac

[Guest guest]

There is a product you can purchase at Pet Smart called OdorZout. It says on

the container that it is 100% Natural with no perfumes or chemicals. Made in

the U.S.A.(can you believe that?) " A Green Product " . Go to 88Stink.com for

more info. A friend used it in the car after her puppy got sick and it worked

wonders!

Sue

Dear List Members,

We recently had to move to an apartment while we move towards mold

remediation on our home. Most every other place we've found wad as bad or worse

than

our home. The apartment we found has no apparent mold or must smell-- but

there is a fragrance that we would like to get rid of. Air filters seem to help

somewhat, but we think it may be in the carpet. Has anyone had any success in

getting rid of such odors in a rug? I'd sure appreciate any help. While I'm

not seriously mcs, I do have some sensitivities, but mold is the worst

offender for me-- I would like to minimize whatever chems may be in the place.

It is

sadly the best we've found in the area.

Many thanks for your feedback,

Jac

**************Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for

FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

(http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020)

[Guest guest]

If the carpet is new, open your windows as much as possible. I know in

this hot weather that can cause some to sigh but it helps so much! We

have new carpet and I try to open every day. If I cannot air the whole

house daily, I might do a room. I do air the housr out for a couple of

hours a week. During high pollen season I don't do this. I find for me

personally, the air is best right after a fresh rain.

If your carpet is not new and has been loaded with Carpet Fresh or

other stuff, try sprinkling plain baking soda all over the floor and

allow to sit for 24 hours.

[Guest guest]

I've tried 'carpet lock-out' or sealers (by AFM) and found it worse

than the carpet fumes themselves. Some like it though. However,

having 'mcs' tells you little about what you can or can't tolerate.

Best to go with minimal chemical exposures rather than be concerned

with 'smell' issues. Many toxic things have little or no odor.

Barbara

>

> my naturopath has told me there is some non-toxic, natural stuff

that will " seal " the carpet-I believe you use it with a carpet

cleaner...I've never used it but my friend has and it worked for her

(she has mcs)..I may have to use it soon, too...

[Guest guest]

If this is 100% zeolite, it can be used like baking soda to absorb

odors but it won't alter the source of the fumes. Make sure you ask

about the MSDS sheet to ensure you are hearing about 100% of the

product. Some MSDS sheets tell you about 2% of the product or 70%

and you are left in the dark about other things.

Make sure you don't ingest or inhale it though.

" Natural " has no legal meaning. Also, enzyme cleaners are often

called natural but contain concentrated proteins and may be

allergenic to some.

Barb

==================================================

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

Thanks very much for the advice. And my apologies for not writing back sooner.

We are in a hotel and I need to go to the local coffee shop for internet access

for the moment.

The apartment isn't new-- about 6 or 7 years old. The odor is a straight

fragrance; like a sweet fabrese type. The place was carpet cleaned we think with

some deodorizer and the appliances/sinks, etc maty have been cleaned with

something called " odoban " . Painting was just a touch-up. Odd for us was that the

original apartment we wanted to rent was supposodly cleaned with vinegar and

that place was real bad with some fumes, not fragrance that my wife, myself and

two friends reacted a bit too. The place we are now in has none of that, just an

apparant fragrance.

So far we have vacummed (we bought a dyson)which pulled up a tremendous amount

of dirt. These dysons are amazing. Then we took your advice and spread out some

baking soda for a day and vacummed again. The baking soda in part looked a

little grayish after vacuuming. Today we steam cleaned with mostly hot water,

and a mix of a non-toxic cleaner (citrisafe), a little alchohol and some

grapfruit seed extract. We're hopeful that this is helping.

The apartment was never bombed, but has had some pesiticides sprayed around the

edge of the walls. Been about a year and the landlord won't let them spray while

we are there.

If these present efforts don't solve the fragrance issue enough, we amy try the

AFM carpet products and if that doesn't work, we may repaint with a non-toxic

paint. If you or any other list members have any other ideas, we sure would

appreciate it. If we don't reply right away, it is not for lack of appreciation,

but rather the difficulty in getting online.

Thanks very much,

Jac

> Do you know the source of the fumes? Is it recently

> installed so

[Guest guest]

Thanks. I think your naturopath is referring to the AFM safecoat product. If it

turns out to be something else, please do let me know.

Thanks again,

Jac

> my naturopath has told me there is some non-toxic, natural

> stuff that will " seal " the carpet-I believe you

> use it with a carpet cleaner...

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sue,

Do you or your friend think it would work on a chemical fragrance as well?

Thanks, Jac

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barb,

I'm sorry to hear that the carpet seal made things worse. Did you use the carpet

shampoo first or go straight to the carpet seal? Was there more smell associated

with adding this or was it that it made you more ill? I hear you about smell not

being the main concern as opposed to what is not smelled being even worse. But,

I'm also concerned about the source of the smell itself and any long term

effects.

I know what you mean about not knowing what will affect us or not. It is always

this dang trial and error scenario.

What did you do to remedy the worsening situation with the carpet sealer?

Thanks again,

Jac

> I've tried 'carpet lock-out' or sealers (by AFM)

> and found it worse

[Guest guest]

, try the OdorZOut from Pet Smart.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sue,

I went to our local Pet Smart and they don't carry it, but I will look for it

online.

Thanks, J

> , try the OdorZOut from Pet Smart.

>

> Sue

[Guest guest]

_http://www.88stink.com/_ (http://www.88stink.com/) Info for the OdorZOut

**************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget?

Read reviews on AOL Autos.

(http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017

)