Have you noticed that strong bleach smell lingering in your house after a thorough cleaning? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with some simple tips to help eliminate that unwanted odor and make your home smell fresh again.
One effective method is to focus on ventilation. Opening windows and doors will allow fresh air to circulate and help disperse the bleach odor. You can also use fans or turn on exhaust fans in bathrooms or kitchens to encourage airflow.
Using air fresheners or odor-neutralizing sprays can also help mask or eliminate the bleach smell. Choose a fragrance that you find pleasant and spray it around the room as needed.
Another natural approach is to utilize odor-absorbing substances. Placing a bowl of lemon juice, baking soda, activated charcoal, cat litter, or Vinegar in the room can help absorb and neutralize the bleach odor over time. Leave the bowl overnight or for a few hours to allow these substances to work their magic.
Remember, it may take some time for the bleach smell to dissipate completely, so patience is key. Implementing these tips should gradually help improve the scent in your home and make it a more enjoyable environment for you and your family.
How to Get Rid of Bleach Smell: Effective Methods to Eliminate the Lingering Odor
We’ve all been there – you finish cleaning the bathroom or kitchen with some heavy-duty bleach products, and then the smell just lingers for days.
It’s strong, it’s unpleasant, and it makes your whole house smell like a public pool locker room. Not exactly the fresh scent you were going for!
But don’t worry, you don’t have to live with that harsh bleach odor forever.
With a few simple tricks, you can get rid of that bleach smell and enjoy a fresher, cleaner-smelling home once again.
Related How To Get Rid Of Indoor Odours And Bad Smells
1. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a good way to eliminate the bleach smell in your house after cleaning. It is good when it comes to absorbing odors, so if you are keeping some in your house, you can make use of it to deal with the smell in your house.
What you have to do is place the baking soda on a plate and place it somewhere in the house. If the smell is in different rooms, you can place a plate with the baking soda in each room.
However, this method is not effective instantly, but it gives results after some time. If the smell is very concentrated, consider using more baking soda for effectiveness.
If you use bleach in the kitchen, then place the baking soda there since it is the source of the smell.
This method is ideal for rooms with poor ventilation where the air is not able to flow freely into the house.
2. Open the Windows
Opening the windows will help air things out by ensuring there is maximum ventilation in the house. The air flowing into the house will disperse the bleach smell, bringing in the fresh air.
However, the method may take some time to work, so try keeping the windows open for a long time, even if it means the whole day.
If you have a fan at home, try using it for better results by positioning it in such a way that it will push the air inside the house out through the open windows. This will help dilute the bleach smell with time.
Use more than one fan and ensure that you have positioned them well for better results. Note that bigger fans are more effective than small ones.
3. Use Vinegar
As earlier mentioned, a mixture of vinegar and bleach creates a very toxic and unpleasant gas. This can be dangerous, so you should be careful whenever you are using the two together.
However, you can use vinegar to get rid of the bleach smell in your house.
What you have to do is put some vinegar in a bowl and place it in the house with a bleach smell, then close the door. Give it enough time.
For instance, you can leave the bowl there overnight. This method works well, and the room may end up with a vinegar smell instead.
The other way to use vinegar is to boil it in a pan to eliminate the smell in the entire house. Vinegar is very effective as long as you are cautious when using it.
Place the vinegar in the area that you feel is more concentrated for good results.
4. Use Air Purifiers
When strong chemical odors are released into the environment, it does not only affect the quality of the air but also can affect the health of people exposed.
This is often worse for those who are chemically sensitive.
People who are sensitive to chemical exposures will be majorly affected by chemical fumes and bleach odors. This exposure can initiate symptoms ranging from acute to severe in terms of severity.
One of the most recommended air purifiers that will filter bleach odor is the Germ Guardian Air Purifier from Guardian Technologies.
Not only will an air purifier get rid of bleach odors, but it will also combat and mitigate toxic and harmful chemicals and odors within the airspace of your indoor environment.
5. Natural Odor Absorbers
Nature provides us with some powerful allies in the battle against unwanted odors. Placing a bowl of natural odor absorbers in the room overnight can work wonders.
Options like lemon juice, baking soda, activated charcoal, and vinegar have unique properties that help neutralize and absorb the bleach scent.
These natural methods not only remove the odor but also leave your space smelling fresh and chemical-free.
Candles and Incense: Infuse Fragrance
Lighting scented candles or incense can be a delightful way to transform your home’s atmosphere.
The fragrance from candles and incense can infuse your space with inviting aromas, creating a cozy and pleasant environment.
Choose scents that resonate with you and make your living space more enjoyable.
6. Wash Fabrics and Soft Surfaces: Eliminate Lingering Odors
Sometimes, the bleach smell can cling to fabrics, upholstery, and soft surfaces in your home. If you notice this, consider washing these items to eliminate the lingering odor.
A good wash or the use of fabric sprays can freshen up your linens, curtains, and upholstery, ensuring your home remains free of the bleach scent.
7. Repaint and Seal: A Long-Term Solution
If the bleach smell persists in painted areas, such as walls or ceilings, you might consider a more time-consuming but long-lasting solution.
Repainting these affected surfaces and sealing them can effectively eliminate the odor.
While this option requires more effort and time, it provides a lasting fix that ensures your living space remains odor-free.
Is it bad to sleep in a room that smells like bleach?
Sleeping in a room with strong bleach fumes is generally not recommended due to potential health risks:
- Bleach contains chlorine, which produces toxic chlorine gas when mixed with other cleaning products or ammonia. Inhaling chlorine gas can irritate the respiratory tract and cause coughing or breathing difficulties.
- The fumes from bleach contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Prolonged exposure to VOCs has been linked to health issues like asthma.
- Strong odors can disrupt sleep quality. The smell may make it harder to fall or stay asleep.
- Some people can experience sensitivity or allergic reactions to bleach fumes, like nasal irritation, sneezing, eye-watering, and headaches. This would impact sleep.
To reduce risks, it’s best to allow any rooms cleaned with bleach to fully air out with windows open before sleeping in them. Make sure not to mix bleach with other cleaners.
Using low-odor or fragrance-free varieties can also help minimize disturbing odors.
If fumes are still noticeable after airing out, an alternative cleaning product may be safer for better sleep quality and health.
Speaking medical attention is advisable if symptoms persist from bleach exposure.
