QUIMICA Y EL LIDER: ODOR CONTROL

How To Remove Odors From Facilities

By CleanLink Editorial Staff

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Do fresheners actually kill odors and/or bacteria in the air? Can you explain the science of how this works?

McGuire: Most fresheners do not “kill” anything unless they are part disinfectant. They are simply a cover-up for the foul odor. A registered disinfectant with the proper claims is needed to kill bacteria and generally needs to be applied at the odor source to be effective. The odor itself is caused by molecules that have the ability to emit a vapor. These molecules are generally created by the bacteria. As these molecules become airborne they emit a vapor that hits the olfactory system, allowing people to then identify it as a pleasant or foul odor. To eliminate the odor, you need to choose a product that attacks the odor molecule.

Malik: It depends on the product formulation and its claims. An air freshener is a product designed to mask or remove unpleasant room odors. If it is designed to mask odors only, it will overcome a malodor by overwhelming it with a stronger odor for a period of time, but it will not break the malodor down.

If an air freshener is designed to break down malodors, it will contain odor counteractants in addition to fragrance. The odor conteractants neutralize the malodor by breaking down its molecules into the air. An air freshener with odor counteracts is the best solution for a facility with offensive malodors such as smoke and rotting food that should be removed from the air.

An air sanitizer can reduce airborne bacteria making the air you breathe healthier and cleaner. The simplest definition of how it works is a molecule from the air sanitizer attaches to a bacteria molecule and causes it to become inert.

Ferris: Let’s take urine odors – one of the toughest cleaning professionals face. Urine odor comes from naturally occurring bacteria and uric acid crystals (crystalized urine residue). Porous damp surfaces like grout host the bacteria, which feed on urine. Uric acid crystals often stay trapped in these porous surfaces and release strong odors as the bacteria consume the urine. Humid conditions or rewetting the surface can reactivate odors. The only real way to completely eliminate odors – not just mask them – is to eliminate those naturally occurring sources of odor.

Daluga: Ideally, "clean" smells like nothing at all, and thusly, custodial executives should seek odor solutions that don't employ phony fragrances that simply cover up odors.

Can you over freshen when it comes to odor control? Is there such a thing as too much of a good scent?

McGuire: Of course. The best policy is to use a technology that eliminates not masks the odor. Masking is the blending of two different odors that can become just as offensive as the odor itself. Once the odor is eliminated you can use a scent to freshen the air.

Malik: Air fresheners formulated with odor counteracts are the optimal solution to both break down and neutralize malodors and leave a fresh scent behind. Without the odor counteractant, an air freshener masks the malodor by overwhelming it with a stronger odor, but does not neutralize the malodor. When using multiple cleaning or odor control products, it’s ideal to ensure the fragrances complement other scents in the area to create uniformity. Competing fragrances contradict each other and can become unpleasant.

Malik: It’s important to understand the size of the area that needs odor control coverage, and match this to your system of choice, along with the supplier’s cubic foot recommendation. When continuous and consistent odor control is desired, the optimal delivery solution is a wall-mounted dispenser. Typically metered aerosols cover larger cubic feet and deliver higher doses of continuous fragrance vs. passive air systems or fan systems and gel cups. Passive air and fan dispensers disperse neutral and low fragrant oils and typically have a lower coverage area than a metered aerosol. These examples of wall mount dispensers that deliver continuous odor control coverage are great solutions for common areas such as lobbies, break rooms, restrooms, hallways and conference rooms.

Liquid and hand held sprays are good solutions for spot treatments to supplement a wall-mounted dispenser program that offers continuous odor control and/or air sanitizer benefits.

Daluga: A sound odor management strategy employs a number of different delivery methods for odor control products. Use of a passive solution, such as a gel that works using ambient airflow, will address odors 24/7, while sprays will address odors immediately on an at-need basis. Other products, such as air and surface liquids or laundry additives, are designed to address specific odor issues at their source (mop buckets, wash loads, etc.). Indeed, each delivery method has a place in a sound odor management strategy.

Some facilities are actively working towards promoting green and sustainable initiatives. Where do air fresheners fit into that type of program?

Daluga: There are myriad odor control products on the market, but very few that use natural ingredients and fit under a "green" or "eco-friendly" heading.

Malik: While some cleaning product categories are rated green by third-party certifiers, there are no green certification standards for air fresheners. Even without third party certification, air fresheners can fit into green and sustainable initiatives. The optimal system will depend on the facilities odor control needs and goals of the sustainable initiative. For example, passive air care systems that offer low VOC continuous air freshening without the use of batteries or any power source, or metered air care systems that offer extended battery and odor control refill life.

How do odors (good or bad) impact the perception of a facility and it’s custodial crew?

McGuire: Foul odors give the impression that the facility is dirty. Thus, a process that is designed to “eliminate” not “mask” odors is essential to provide an optimal environment. Masking a foul odor can be tricky. Facility managers need to be careful on which fragrance they choose. Not all occupants like the same fragrance and in some cases masking can make matters worse.

Malik: A building occupant’s first impression of cleanliness is not necessary what they see, it can be what they smell.

Fragrance has a powerful effect on human behavior. Our sense of smell can evoke strong emotional reaction and influence behavior. Facility odors, good or bad, can shape the perception of how a facility is run, and how much the facility management cares about its customers.

Pleasant fragrances can make us feel at home, brighten our moods, deliver a sense of calm and wellbeing, or increase alertness. Foul odors, even when isolated, can leave a negative perception of the entire facility, from the custodial crew to general management.

Customers or building occupants can associate foul odors with unsanitary and unsafe conditions. Similar to odors such as smoke or gas, foul odors typically trigger us to take an immediate corrective action, such as leave the establishment.

Daluga: When it comes to cleanliness, perception really is reality and a foul odor immediately raises eyebrows. Likewise, when a facility smells strongly of fragrances and perfumes, there's a perception that something is being covered up — there are odors being masked by other odors.

Ferris: Restrooms can certainly impact consumers’ perceptions of businesses, and as a result, also impact their bottom lines. According to a survey, three in four American consumers are disgusted by urine odors and urine stains in public restrooms. Of those surveyed, two-thirds would refuse to patronize business establishments such as restaurants or hotels with unclean restrooms and more than half would likely review a business more negatively (online or offline) based on whether the restroom was clean. Research from Harvard Business School found that Yelp reviews can have a five to nine percent effect on business revenues, meaning bad reviews can translate to lower profits. Additionally, the majority of parents surveyed (70%) say a school’s restroom reflects the quality of the school, its staff and its teachers.

Restroom odors are common, but what other areas of the facility should custodial managers focus on odor control?

McGuire: It is wise not to overlook kitchen areas, lunch rooms, break rooms, smoking areas, laundry, hallways and the always present dumpster. These are all areas that can cause problems.

Malik: Common areas such as lobbies, break rooms, conference rooms, hallways, and locker rooms are examples of additional areas where odor control solutions such as air fresheners and air sanitizers can improve facility image, customer experience, and protect customers/employees from the spread of germs.

Daluga: A good odor management strategy addresses every aspect of a facility: certainly the restrooms, but also lobbies and common areas, offices and meeting rooms. Anywhere there's people, food, etc., there's likely to be smells that someone will find unpleasant, and it's crucial to have a strategy in place that addresses odors before they become an issue.