Bad Smell: Where Does it Come From and How to Get Rid of It
One of the common problems in medium and large offices is the presence of weird, often unpleasant odours. Bad smell in a professional space, like an office, causes many issues. Not only is it a health hazard and may impact employees’ well-being, productivity and even mental health, but it is also a killer for clients’ first impression when they enter the office. But where do bad smells come from, and how can we get rid of them properly?
In this article, we will dive deep into the issues of unpleasant odours in office spaces, where the source is, how to remove them and why bad smell is a health hazard.
Where Do Bad Smells Come From?
To remove bad smells, first, you have to identify their source and resolve the underlying issues. Therefore, let’s start by finding the source of unpleasant smells in office spaces.
Below, you can see the common sources of bad smell in medium and large offices. You can simply cross whichever doesn’t apply to your office and get to a conclusion.
No Office Cleaning Service
An office without a cleaning service or on a low-quality or low-frequency service is highly prone to unpleasant odours. Office cleaning services maintain the entire office and resolve bad-smelling issues before they become a big problem.
Dirty & Clogged Toilets
Toilets and washrooms in the office are the major contributors to unpleasant odours. If the toilet remains unclean for more than just a few days, it starts to smell due to the accumulation of germs. Also, clogged toilets, if not fixed immediately, will start to stink very badly.
Clogged or Full Sinks
It’s not just clogged toilets that give out bad odours. Clogged washroom or kitchen sinks can start to smell bad as well. Also, if the kitchen sink is full of dirty dishes and cups, after a few days, you can expect a weird, unpleasant odour.
Overflowing Rubbish Bins
Overflown rubbish bins, especially wet general waste bins, give out horrible smells. This specific problem is exacerbated during warmer seasons and can disturb employees, especially in large open-plan office spaces.
Spoiled Food in The Fridge
Employees may bring or order food and put the leftovers in the fridge. But most of the time, they forget about it. Therefore, the food goes bad and starts to stink, even if the food is in a sealed container.
Unnoticed Pet Accidents
Pet-friendly offices often deal with bad odours. It is commonly due to 3 reasons. First, the owner doesn’t care about their pet’s hygiene enough. Second, the potty hasn’t been cleaned. And third, there’s an unnoticed pet accident somewhere in the office that has gone unnoticed.
Poor Air Quality in The Office
Offices with poor air quality and damp air often experience weird. Though not necessarily unpleasant, it bothers most people. This is often due to the amount of dust, malfunctioning HVAC systems or bad window seals.
Black Mould & Pests
Black moulds and pests also cause bad smells. They are also a health hazard to employees in the office. Black moulds, often the result of damp air, give out an unpleasant musty smell. Pest infestation has several reasons, and their secretion causes bad odours.
Dirty Air Vents & Air Filters
Even if you install a new AC unit or a top-of-the-line HVAC system, if the air vents are dirty, you won’t see any change to the air quality. Dirty air vents or old air filters not only exude unpleasant odours and dust but also may damage the HVAC system and increase energy bills.
Employees’ Hygiene
Although uncommon in professional workspaces, employees’ hygiene can also contribute to the presence of unpleasant odours in the office. In this matter, the only solution is for the HR department to discuss the problem with the employee in a private meeting.
How to Get Rid of Unpleasant Odour in The Office?
When you identify the underlying source of the bad smell in your office, you have to take action to remove it completely.
The following are common ways experts suggest to get rid of unpleasant odours from office spaces. You can also apply most of these ways if you experience consistent bad smells in your home.
#1 Outsource Office Cleaning Services
One of the best ways to manage office cleaning and hygiene, get rid of bad smells and even prevent them before they become a problem is to outsource office cleaning services to professional cleaners.
Hiring commercial cleaning companies is a trend in the corporate world as businesses begin to understand the benefits of office cleaning services for their businesses.
Office cleaning services, compared to traditional in-house cleaners, offer benefits like lower costs, close to zero service management, flexible services and consistency.
#2 Maintain Office Toilets & Washrooms
If the odour is coming from office bathrooms, you may need to hire a commercial handyman to take care of clogged toilets, fix plumbing and maintain the bathroom. #
Hiring commercial washroom hygiene services also helps you maintain the office bathroom. Washroom service providers clean and sanitise the washroom, empty and disinfect rubbish and sanitary bins, descale toilets and scrub the floors for a shiny, pristine finish.
#3 Clean The Kitchen & Fridge
Cleaning the kitchen and fridge is the solution to resolve the bad smell sourced from the office kitchen. Office kitchens often require daily cleaning, which is a part of every tailored commercial cleaning service.
However, if you prefer to clean it yourself, here’s a short checklist to follow and ensure the source of unpleasant odours is wiped clean:
- Clean and sanitise inside and outside of all cupboards, including their handles.
- Wipe all countertops and eating tables.
- Wash the dishes or load them in the dishwasher.
- Clean all kitchen appliances, including the toaster, coffee machine and microwave.
- Clean and scrub the kitchen sink.
- Check all food in the fridge and dispose of spoiled food, even if it’s not yours.
- Clean the inside and outside of the fridge, including the handle.
- Vacuum and/or mop the kitchen floor. Pay close attention to corners, gaps under counters and the table.
We also have a full article about office cleaning and a complete office cleaning checklist. CLICK HERE to read and get more insight.
#4 Regular Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning and spring cleaning are essential for all spaces, including offices, schools, retail stores and even public venues. However, not many companies are benefiting from deep cleaning because they don’t have it regularly.
Companies often hire deep cleaning services once or twice per year. However, the recommended frequency for deep cleaning is at least 4 times per year, which is once per quarter.
If you want to get rid of bad smells quickly and ensure it is prevented before turning into a disaster, hire deep cleaning experts or increase your office’s annual deep cleaning frequency.
#5 Install Air Fresheners
Air fresheners are not the solution to removing unpleasant odours. They just cover the bad smell. However, an unpleasant or weird smell can be the result of the office location.
For example, if your office is close to a busy highway full of lorries, no matter how good the HVAC and window seals are, the exhaust fume smell may still be present inside the office. Or if your office is situated in a warm and humid area, or in the basement level, air fresheners can cover up the permanent musty smell.
In these cases, installing an air freshener is the best solution to remove bad smells from your office environment. Also, air fresheners are always a great solution for removing bad smells in toilets, even if you have a daily cleaning service in place.
#6 Maintain HVAC & Air Vents
Regular HVAC and air vent maintenance in the office has several benefits. A good HVAC system and clean air vents not only reduce dust and improve office air quality, but also remove unpleasant odours.
One of the main reasons your office has a weird, bad smell is the poor air quality and damp and humid air. Maintaining HVAC, changing air filters and cleaning air vents regularly can resolve the issue and prevent it from happening again.
#7 Empty & Wash Rubbish Bins Regularly
If you don’t empty all the rubbish bins in the office regularly, they will start to give out horrible smells that disturb employees and reduce their productivity at work. This problem, which is exacerbated during the summer, can also attract pests, which are another source of bad smells and a serious health hazard for the work environment.
While regularly emptying rubbish bins, ensure to wash and sanitise them once a week or every other week. Leachate, or rubbish liquid, often leaks from the liner. If you leave it uncleaned, leachate will give out bad smells too.
One of the benefits of emptying bins regularly is that it allows you to monitor how much waste your office produces. You can later use this data to draw up strategies to reduce waste output and achieve your environmental goals.
#8 Deep Clean Carpets & Soft Upholstery
Another common source of bad smell in the office is carpets and soft upholstery. If you don’t clean carpets and upholstered furniture, sooner or later, they will start to stink.
Deep cleaning carpets and soft upholstery is a helpful way to get rid of bad smells. The service is commonly offered on-site using special steam-extraction machines.
In general, carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning are essential for offices, especially for dog and cat-friendly workspaces. Cleaning carpets regularly and removing pet hair from their surface also prolongs their lifespan, reducing maintenance and replacement costs in the long run.
#9 Maintain & Repair Plumbing
If toilets and sinks in your office are constantly getting clogged and result in bad smells, it’s time to call a plumber to come and fix the problem. Most of the time, pouring drain cleaners and descalers down the drain will get rid of the issue, but a technician can tell you better where the problem is and why clogging happens.
Why is Bad Smell in The Office a Health Hazard?
Unpleasant and bad smells in the office environment, or any other spaces, are an indication of the presence of potentially harmful fumes and pollutants.
Long exposure to such substances may cause several health effects, including:
- Raspitory problems
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomitting
- Skin, eye, nose and throat irritation
- Allergic reaction
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Conclusion
Unpleasant odours in the office are more than just an irritation. They can harm employee health, lower productivity, and leave clients with a poor first impression. Identifying the source, whether it’s dirty toilets, overflowing bins, spoiled food, poor air quality, or neglected HVAC systems, is the first step towards removing the bad smell in the workspace. From outsourcing professional office cleaning services and maintaining washrooms to deep-cleaning carpets, emptying bins regularly, and repairing plumbing, measures like these are key to eliminating bad smells and preventing their return.
Regular deep cleans and consistent maintenance ensure your office remains a pleasant, hygienic environment for staff and visitors alike. Remember, air fresheners may mask odours temporarily, but true freshness comes from tackling the root cause. By prioritising cleanliness and hygiene, businesses can protect employee well-being, boost morale, and create a professional atmosphere that leaves a lasting positive impression.
