I bought my house almost three years ago, and it still smells like potpourri from the previous owners. They had bags of it everywhere—in the cabinets, on shelves, and even in the garage! I've tried using essential oils, running an air purifier, and airing out the house by opening the windows, but nothing seems to help. What are some effective ways to eliminate this smell?
3 Answers
I’d steer clear of more oils or scented products. They could just mix with the existing smell and make things worse! The source of the smell might be in the carpets, ceilings, or walls. Have all the previous owner's furniture been cleared out? Maybe consider shampooing the carpets if you haven’t yet.
Have you thought about using an ozone machine? It works really well for smells like that, but just make sure you’re not in the house when it’s running, and don’t leave any pets inside either. It might take a few treatments, but it’s one of the best bets you have to clear out those lingering odors.
If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, consider getting rid of it. Carpets can trap all sorts of smells and might be the source of the problem.
Yeah, just remember to remove any clothing with elastic or plastic before you run it, since ozone can damage them.