How to Get Smells Out of Wood Floor | Expert Guide

Wood floors bring a lasting and stylish charm to any house, however, they can also catch smells. Over time, odors from spills, pets, dampness, or mold can become ingrained in the wood. These smells both impact the floor and circulate into the air, which makes the entire area feel less fresh. 

If you find yourself wondering how to get smell out of wood floor effectively, fear not! Today’s complete guide describes the causes when a wood floor smells musty, how to remove the bad smell from the floor, and the tools that can assist. Beginning with baking soda on a hardwood floor to using a HEPA Air Scrubber, we’ll explain useful steps that actually work. 

What Causes Bad Smells in Wood Floors?

Typically, foul smells originate from one or various popular sources. Therefore, recognizing the cause is the initial step in understanding how to remove bad smells from the floor surfaces. 

Pet Urine and Accidents

Pet mishaps can penetrate deep into wood floors, leaving behind powerful odors. These smells often come back on damp days. Even though you cleanse the surface, pet pee can remain stuck under the boards or in the grain. An enzymatic cleaner for hardwood floors is the most promising solution in such scenarios. 

Moisture and Spills

Too much humidity or water from leaks can be absorbed into the wood. With time, this paves the way for the usual wood floors smell musty issue. If the dampness isn’t cleared away quickly, it creates the ideal environment for mold and bacteria. 

Mold or Mildew Under the Floor

When you note a bad smell, but can’t discover a spot, the odor might be rising from under the floorboards. That said, mold can develop unseen and yet discharge bad odors into the room. At that moment, a HEPA air scrubber becomes beneficial for taking airborne mold spores out of the air. 

Old Finishes or Trapped Odors

Wood floors that have not yet been repaired over the years might bring smells from past leaks, smoke, or foot traffic. These odors adapt to the finish or wood solely. Occasionally, surface washing isn’t sufficient, and the floor might require to be polished and sealed again. 

Step-by-Step: How to Get Smells Out of Wood Floors

Stick to these reliable steps to settle a wood floor that smells musty or supports pet and humidity smells. Every step assists you know grasping how to get smell out of wood floor or for car odor removal utilizing secure and easy techniques

1. Identify the Source of the Odor

Begin by finding the place where the odor is emerging. For this, take help from your nose and search for spots, dampness harm, or symptoms of mold. Besides, inspect corners, close to pet spaces, and under rugs. In case the smell is powerful in one place, that’s probably where the issues begin. 

2. Clean the Surface Thoroughly

Clean the floor to pull out waste and dust. Next, wash using a natural blend of vinegar and an enzymatic cleaner for hardwood floors or water. Enzymatic cleaners destroy organic odors, such as food or urine. 

Having said that, apply just a damp mop. Extreme water turns the floor into a distressing condition and can cause mold. In short, it starts with the right surface cleansing. 

3. Deep Clean with Specialized Products

A few smells go even further. In such scenarios, test baking soda on the wood floor. Spray it on the stinking space and leave it for a whole night. Then, clean it up. However, for sharp odors, utilize a hydrogen peroxide or a pet-secure enzymatic spray. 

Of course, these products function well compared to the main cleaners and aid you in locating the best hardwood floor deodorizer for your house. 

4. Dry the Area Completely

Dampness results in foul smells. Thus, after washing, dry out the space with unlocked windows or fans. For improved outcomes, operate a HEPA air scrubber. It attracts smells, mold spores, and particles from the air. 

Also, it assists in avoiding the return of damp odors. This machine is stronger relative to air filters vs air purifiers. Although purifiers serve to remove irritants, a HEPA air scrubber eliminates more extensive airborne particles connected to smell. 

5. Sand and Refinish If Needed

In that case, smell does not leave, you might have to sand the floor. This clears away the uppermost layer where odors are stuck. Once you sand, put in a new finish to close up the surface. 

Often, this is the final move in how to remove bad smell from floor when every cleansing technique goes wrong. This offers the wood a perfect base and aids in preventing the upcoming smell increase. 

6. Apply Cedarwood Oil for Natural Deodorizing

Cedarwood oil has inherent disinfecting characteristics that can help get rid of smells in wood floors. Its sweet smell covers up foul smells and spreads a pleasant smell to the region. 

For this, blend some drops of cedarwood essential oil with a base oil such as mineral oil or jojoba oil. Use the mixture mildly on the impacted zones with a soft cloth. Let it get across the wood for one night. Wash any extra oil on the day after. 

Pro Tip: Check the mixture in a little, unnoticeable place initially to confirm it does not impact the finish of your floor. 

7. Use Activated Charcoal for Deep Air Freshener

Activated Charcoal is very absorbent and powerful at catching smells. Typically, it’s used in air and water filtration and can be adjusted for usage on wood floors. That said, set down activated charcoal in breathable bags or cartons. 

Place them throughout the affected areas of the floor. Keep them there for various days to soak up smells. Clear away the charcoal and discard it appropriately. 

8. Increase Ventilation to Flush Out Odors

Bad air circulation can attract smells in wood floors, specifically in rooms with restricted airflow. So, enhancing ventilation is an original and practical way to eliminate damp odors, pet smells, or humidity-related odors from the floor or nearby air. 

Unlock all the doors and windows of the damaged room to encourage cross-ventilation. Invest in window or exhaust fans to draw dead air out and introduce clean air. Also, operate a HEPA air scrubber together with natural air circulation to quicken smell removal. 

The above-mentioned steps are effective for various types of odors, including those caused by leaks, pet accidents, and mildew. The use of safe cleaning goods and equipment, such as a HEPA air scrubber, can restore your floors and enhance the air in the house. 

How HEPA Air Scrubbers Help Eliminate Odors?

Once you clean the floor, odors can still remain in the air. At that point, a HEPA air scrubber stands out. These tools are engineered to capture smell-causing particles, mold germs, and dust from the air and close them in strong filters. 

A HEPA air scrubber utilizes a multi-stage filtration setup. The most significant component is the HEPA filter, which attracts very tiny particles that normal filters overlook. Additionally, it eliminates mold spores, bacteria, and organic material that lead to smells. 

Several people set side by side air filters vs air purifiers; however, these devices handle separate tasks. An air purifier is intended for confined spaces. An air filter is a part of the HVAC system. A HEPA air scrubber, on the other hand, is designed for heavy-duty tasks such as smell control and indoor air purification after deep cleansing or restoration. 

Running an air scrubber after cleaning assists with: 

• Extracting persistent smells after dealing with wood. 

• Clearing airborne mold spores from around or under the floor 

• Enhancing indoor air quality in damp or smelly rooms 

• Lowering irritants and particles in mouldy or damp rooms 

For houses with constant smell problems, Abestorm HEPA air scrubbers are best. These devices are designed to cleanse big spaces quickly and keep fresh air in houses with pets, leaks, or humidity issues. 

Preventing Future Odors in Wood Floors

Once you’ve gained a thorough knowledge of getting smells out of wood floors, it’s urgent to stop these smells from returning. Prevention is easy and ensures your house stays fresh as well. 

• Manage Indoor Humidity: Excessive humidity results in moisture increase, mold, and damp odors. Run dehumidifiers to maintain levels between 40% to 50%. This helps avoid smells and damage. 

• Clean Spills Immediately: Moisture can penetrate the wood instantly. Regularly cleanse spills instantly to prevent stuck moisture and smells. This is a formula for ceasing issues before they begin. 

•  Use Rugs in Problem Areas: Install washable rugs in high-activity areas or close-by pet regions. Rugs trap waste and spills before they get to the wood. Wash them frequently to prevent the development of smell. 

Conclusion

Foul smells in wood floors mostly originate from deep within the wood, activated by spills, pets, or stuck moisture. An awareness of how to get smell out of wood floor gives you command over your house’s ease and air quality.

Easy cleaning steps, coupled with efficient devices such as baking soda and an enzymatic cleaner for hardwood floors, can be of great value. For lasting odor management and fresher air, investing in a HEPA air scrubber ensures the job is done, in the air, and on the floor.