Smells In The Office: 3 Common Causes And How To Tackle Them

Every place we visit, from our homes to malls and workplaces, gives off a particular smell. Over time, we gradually get used to their smells to the point that they become barely noticeable. That said, when our nose picks up something foul, we will constantly be aware of the scent to the point where it might be distracting. As such, having bad smells wafting in the office can pose an issue not just because it leads to poorer air quality but also poses a distraction for employees and affects their productivity.

At home, it is typically easy to figure out where offensive odours may be coming from, like overflowing bins, pets, or uncleaned messes in the kitchen. The same can often be said in the office setting, but sometimes their origins can be more difficult to track down.

Read on to discover the common causes of smells in the office and tips to tackle them.

1. Carpets

Carpets are typically the most difficult to pin down when it comes to odours in the office. Years of being trodden with dust, dirt, and muck, along with long-forgotten spills, all add up to create foul smells. Mouldy and musty smells are often the most common odours that emanate from office carpets and are often caused by the damp footwear of employees during wet weather or simply increased footfall traffic.

A simple vacuum will not do much to remove noticeable smells from your carpet, but treating it with baking soda may help. Test it on an inconspicuous spot on the carpet first by dusting the area with it and letting it sit for as long as possible. This allows the baking soda to absorb the odour-causing particles and break them down more effectively. As a mild alkali, baking soda works great at absorbing oils and breaking down dirt, making even stubborn odours and stains easier to remove. Afterwards, use a vacuum to clean up the baking soda dust.

Should this solution fall short, it may be best to call on professional office carpet cleaning in Singapore for guaranteed removal of lingering odours and to restore your carpets.

2. Food and drinks

Food and beverages are almost always the culprits behind the stinky smell in offices. From the notorious microwaved fish to abandoned lunches in the fridge, all sorts of food-related incidents can cause foul odours, making employees feel uncomfortable. Moreover, with surveys reporting that approximately a third of employees eat lunch at their desks, it is easy for crumbs and stains to be left behind and forgotten. Sticky and greasy foods eaten at desks may spill and permeate into the fabric or woodwork of furnishings, leaving long-lasting smells.

As such, it is best to stick to one spot when eating in the office, such as the break room or pantry, to avoid the risk of making a mess. It is essential to take note of effective ways to clean common office stains and spills. For example, cold water or club soda can help to clean beverage spills like coffee and eliminate soaked-in odours.

As for abandoned items in the fridge, it is essential to encourage good cleaning practices among employees and have everyone be proactive in throwing out expired food. This also ensures those with allergies do not trigger their symptoms.

3. Sinks

The sink in the office pantry or kitchen often sees plenty of things chucked into it, so they can easily start to smell foul. If there are no strict rules regarding proper disposal, employees may inevitably cause the sink to become blocked or slow-running, which is the common cause behind why the pantry has a certain smell to it. Thus, prevention is key, and employees must learn how to clean up after meals.

Conclusion

No one wants to work in an office with poor air quality, even less if it has a noticeable smell that does not disappear. With the tips, you should now have a better idea of the potential causes and ways to tackle bad odours that arise in your workplace.

To ensure your offices remain odour-free and spick and span, don’t hesitate to call on our seasoned team of cleaning professionals at Abba today. We provide effective and affordable commercial cleaning services, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, aircon maintenance, and many other solutions to maintain the cleanliness of your workspaces.

Give us a call now or send in an enquiry for a free quote!