Bleach is known for its powerful cleaning capabilities, effectively targeting even the most stubborn spots. However, its potent odor can be quite overwhelming and can linger for days, making your living space uncomfortable. If you’re wondering how to remove the bleach smell from your house after cleaning, worry no more. We have several tried and tested tips to help you eliminate this unwanted scent.
First and foremost, ventilation is key to mitigating the bleach odor. Open windows and doors, and utilize fans to promote airflow. Additionally, consider using air fresheners to help mask the smell.
Furthermore, leaving a bowl of lemon juice, baking soda, activated charcoal, cat litter, or vinegar in the room overnight can be beneficial as these substances are known to absorb unwanted odors, including the scent of bleach.
By following these simple yet effective tips, you can ensure that your home is both spotlessly clean and pleasantly scented, without having to compromise on one for the other.
What Causes the Bleach Smell?
The odor experienced when cleaning with bleach is not actually the bleach itself, but rather a chemical reaction caused by proteins present on the surfaces being cleaned.
It is important to note that with frequent use of bleach, the strength of the smell reduces due to the gradual decrease in protein build-up over time.
However, despite regular cleaning, some individuals may still find the smell of bleach overwhelming.
To create a safer and more pleasant environment for you and your family, let’s explore several effective ways to minimize the lingering smell of bleach in your home.
How to Get Rid of Bleach Smells after Cleaning?
Ventilate the Area
To effectively eliminate bleach smells after cleaning, ventilation is a vital method that should be employed. Open at least one window to facilitate the flow of fresh air into the room. For optimal results, if possible, consider opening multiple windows on opposite sides of the space, allowing air to circulate freely.
In case you don’t have windows on multiple sides, an alternative is to briefly open a door, which will enhance the airflow within the area. Expanding on this, utilizing fans can further augment the ventilation process. While pedestal fans are preferable in this scenario, any type of fan will suffice. Strategically position the fans to optimize the airflow and disperse the bleach odor from your home.
For an additional freshening effect, you may want to consider mixing a few drops of citrus essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture into the path of the fan to infuse a pleasant deodorizing aroma into the ventilation.
Keep in mind that the ventilation process may take a few hours to fully eliminate the bleach smell. If it is not feasible to keep the area open for an extended period, leave it open for as long as possible and repeat the procedure whenever convenient.
Use an Air Purifier
When looking to purchase an air purifier to eliminate the smell of bleach from your home, it is important to consider various factors. These devices come in different styles and are readily available both online and in numerous stores.
To ensure effective performance, it is recommended to choose an air purifier that can achieve a minimum of five air exchanges per 200 square feet, which is considered standard for an average-sized room.
In addition to removing the smell of bleach, air purifiers can provide numerous benefits. They are capable of effectively eliminating allergens present in the air, which can improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of allergies or respiratory issues. Therefore, investing in an air purifier can contribute to creating a healthier living environment.
Use Vinegar
When it comes to cleaning agents, it is generally not recommended to mix vinegar and bleach. The combination of these two substances can be dangerous and result in the release of fumes that may cause respiratory issues.
Instead, we suggest using vinegar as a means to eliminate the lingering odor of bleach after cleaning. Here are a few safe ways to use vinegar:
- Place a medium-sized bowl filled with vinegar in the room that has been cleaned with bleach. Close the door and leave it overnight for optimal results.
- Boil a pot of vinegar in a heavily affected area of your home that has a strong bleach smell. Please make sure to monitor the pot to prevent the vinegar from burning. Leave it on the stove for as long as possible to allow the vinegar to work its magic.
By utilizing this method, the vinegar will effectively absorb most, if not all, of the bleach smell. It’s worth noting that one downside of this approach is that your home or room may have a slight vinegar odor. However, you can easily address this by following our initial suggestion of ventilating the area.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that is essential to have on hand. Not only can it be used for unblocking drains and cleaning stains, but it is also effective in eliminating unwanted odors from your home.
One interesting fact about baking soda is that it can even help absorb the smell of bleach. To utilize baking soda in a room that smells of bleach, simply place a cup filled with baking soda in the freshly cleaned space.
Allow it to sit for a few hours or even overnight to effectively neutralize the odor. This simple yet effective method will leave your room smelling fresh and clean.
Use Activated Charcoal or Kitty Litter
Activated charcoal and cat litter function similarly to baking soda, effectively absorbing unpleasant odors present in your home. To achieve optimal results, simply utilize a small amount of these substances.
For areas that emit a strong bleach scent, place a cardboard box or other suitable container containing activated charcoal or kitty litter within the room.
Allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight. When you return, the space should return to its original, non-bleach-smelling state. This method ensures a fresh and odor-free environment.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is an effective solution for eliminating unpleasant bleach odors in your home and from your hands. To effectively utilize lemon juice for this purpose, create a solution by mixing it with water and transfer it into a spray bottle.
You can then proceed to spray the solution in various areas such as the air, couches, curtains, and other pieces of furniture. For optimal results, consider spraying near fans to facilitate proper ventilation and dispersal of the citrus scent.
How to Get Rid of Bleach Smell on Hands
After cleaning with bleach, if you notice that your hands smell like bleach, there’s a simple and effective solution. You can use lemon juice to eliminate the bleach odor and leave your hands smelling fresh and clean. Just take a few pieces of lemon and rub them directly onto your skin. The acidity of the lemon will help neutralize the bleach smell.
In addition to lemon juice, another method to eliminate the bleach odor is by using ground coffee. Rubbing ground coffee on your hands can effectively remove the lingering smell of bleach, leaving your hands smelling pleasant.
It’s important to note that regular exposure to bleach can be harmful to your skin. To protect your hands, we highly recommend wearing gloves whenever you’re cleaning with bleach or other harsh detergents. This will help prevent any potential damage to your skin.
Wrapping Up
After cleaning, the strong scent of bleach can sometimes be overwhelming. However, with a little extra effort and patience, you can achieve not only an impeccably clean home but also a pleasant-smelling one.
To mitigate the smell, it is recommended to ventilate the area by opening windows and doors. Additionally, utilizing fans, air purifiers, and deodorizers can further enhance the air quality.
For a more natural approach, you can leave items such as vinegar, activated charcoal, baking soda, or cat litter in the room overnight. Alternatively, consider spritzing the area with a refreshing lemon and water spray.