How do you get rid of household odors--

[bliss_eternal]

--when they do not originate in your home?

Our neighbors (downstairs) cook with a lot of heavy oils and spices(garlic, onions, etc). The smells from their cooking tend to come into our apt. With it being summertime, heat rising and the humidity--it's generally not pleasant, particularly with my allergy issues.

The apt mgmt. said they have spoke to them about using their oven vents and opening some windows--but they ultimately can't MAKE them. So, I need to do what I can do to make things better for myself.

I have some scented candles, which help somewhat but tend to mask the odor sometimes and not really get rid of it. We also have an ionic breeze, which can be helpful, too.

Any other good product suggestions or remedies for this?

Thanks!

[LiberalUprising]

1. Get a air puifier with a

true hepa filter, they are much better at taking odors and allergens out of the air than the ionic machines, they trap smaller particles than the ionocs.

I have a Lifewise air puifier (hepa) that I paid $99 for at Radio Shack, it works great, even removes popcorn smell in minutes. I tried the ionic machine first cause it was cheaper, but it didn't remove the smells of cooking very well.

Try a Lifewise hepa, you can always return it if it doesn't work for you.

Be sure to get a unit that is rated for your room size. The ratings will be on the box.

There are also units that have both technologies built in, so you could still use your ionicbreeze in addition to a hepa.

Here is a site that explains the differences:

Clearing the Air About Air Cleaners - Unlike Ionic Air Cleaners, Products With HEPA Filters Work and Are Safe
Business Wire Apr 11, 2005

The Holmes Group, a leader in the air cleaner category, wants to "clear the air" by educating consumers about the differences between ionic products, and products with HEPA-based filter technology. An article, "New Concerns About Ionizing Air Cleaners" in the May 2005 issue of Consumer Union's Consumer Reports raises serious doubts about the effectiveness and safety of ionic air cleaners such as Sharper Image's(R) Ionic Breeze Quadra. In sharp contrast to ionic air cleaners, HEPA-based products with fans work and they are safe.

"We welcome the findings from Consumer Reports as there are many misconceptions about the efficacy of ionic air cleaning products that have been marketed for years through infomercials and print advertising," said Paul J. Powers, Jr., senior vice president and general manager, Home Environment Division, The Holmes Group. "In addition to exposing the potential dangers posed by the high levels of ozone emitted from ionic air cleaners, the magazine affirmed what we have been saying for years - most high-priced ionic air cleaners are relatively ineffective. But, the public deserves to know the conclusions reached in the Consumer Reports story are not an indictment of the entire air cleaner category."

More:
http://www.backchannelmedia.com/newsletter/story/5910375919/Clearing_the_Air_About_Air_Cle.html

[bliss_eternal]

2. Liberal Uprising--I can't thank you enough!

Seriously--I have SEVERE allergies and asthma. If it's a bad air day outside, I really can't open up my apt. the way I would like to, as it would be detrimental to my breathing, etc. Getting a different air purifier (w/a Hepa)is a great suggestion!

Thank you--I'm most grateful!

[LiberalUprising]

3. Any time bliss

I have allergies as well and it's helped me.

Have ya tried Clariton -D? You can get the 12 or 24 hour version, it's way better than any other over the counter med for allegergies and doesn't screw with your head like so many allegery meds will do.

it's about a dollar per cap but is worth evey penny.

[bliss_eternal]

4. Occasionally I do use ClaritinD--

I find it helpful to switch off from time to time. I feel like I sometimes get resistant to my meds, or they work better when I don't rely on one particular one all the time.

I switch Claritin off with Zyrtec, my prescription med from my allergist.

:hi:

[Longhorn]

6. My brother and sister-in-law were just telling me last weekend

about these oil lamps that use some kind of fancy oil (and they have a fancy name that I can't remember.) The scent apparently permeates everything in the house. My SIL was saying that they actually had to be careful not to overdo but that the oil was expensive enough that it usually wasn't a problem. I wish I could remember more about them but I think they got them at one of those specialty gift shops.

Good luck!

[Terran]

7. Sounds like a Lampe Berger, and I highly recommend them

My partner had been wanting one of these for a while and we finally broke down and bought a cheap one at $35; they can run into the thousands of dollars, but that's only because of the cost of the lamp part itself (we're talking Limoge porcelin, crystal, etc.; our's is just cobalt glass).

Lampes Berger (pronounce that in French to be correct) are catalytic alcohol-and-oil burning lamps. I don't know all the technical details, but I do know that they can rid a *large* area of any obnoxious scent very quickly.

Here's a link, but try googling "Lampe Berger" for more info:

http://www.lampeberger.com/content_howitworks.aspx

Most stores that sell these things will try to convince you that you have to buy their lamp fuel and oils too, but you can make it yourself fairly cheaply out of 91% isopropyl alcohol and any perfume-grade essential oil(s) you care to use. Usually the lamps are sold with a variety of mixed scents for sale, but we made our own fuel using amber oil. My partner roasts coffee and that causes quite a stink, but the Lampe Berger, once brought into the kitchen, obliterates that smell in a just a few minutes. I think this could be exactly what you need (and no, I don't sell them, I just swear by them).

The Lmapes Berger are very beautiful too. A lot of people collect them for that reason. I'll bet you can find them on Ebay as well as at retailers.

[Longhorn]

9. Yep, that's it!

I'll have to tell them how they can make their own oil. Thanks! :)

[China_cat]

5. Keep a pan of water on your stove

simmering with pieces of whole lemon, a few cloves and a cinnamon stick in it. It works and doesn't seem to add it's own scent to the mix.

[eleny]

8. I don't know how much this will help...

But here's a few things we do to keep closets smelling fresher.

I have a pantry closet where odors can linger. So I keep an open can of ground coffee on the floor. You can put a piece of sheer fabric over the top and secure with a rubber band. I heard that coffee can absorb odors and we've found that it works.

Also, our house is on a slab foundation with no crawlspace. But there is a channel cut for pipes below my kitchen cabinets. Some damp smells rise from there occasionally. We drop a number of barbeque charcoal pieces down there and it helps.

So, if some of the odors from downstairs catch and linger in some of your closets, coffee or charcoal might help to absorb them.