Curry odor

[Leslie71]

We recently had tenants who were excellent in every way except they cooked a lot of curry and left the apartment with a strong curry odor.   After 10 days and multiple cleanings and airing the odor is almost gone.    Should we consider a house rule about no curry preparation in the apartment.    How have other hosts handled this? 

[Kelly333]

@Leslie71 I put a big air purifier in my condo in the kitchen that automatically turns on when it detects smells. Initially, I bought it to help with wild fire particles when there was a big fire a few mountains over. However, the air purifier has been super helpful with detecting and removing food odors and may be a more effective/friendly solution than attempting to communicate and enforce what not to cook.  Plus, it also picks up dog hair and dust which is an additional bonus for keeping the air clean and stink free. The air purifier cost $300 ish.  The small ones won't work. You need the big ones. 

[Patricia2526]

Hi @Leslie71 

You can in your house rules but it’s more tactful (and effective) to word it more generally. Avoid singling out a specific cuisine to prevent sounding culturally insensitive.

If feasible, invest in a plug-in air purifier or deodorizer spray for quick turnarounds

[Joan2709]

@Leslie71 

Agree with the Air Purifier suggestions from @Kelly333 , my only concern is it may "disappear" one day. I would definintely have one available to use in case this happens again, but not sure I would leave inside the listing. Many guests do not like air fresheners or are chemically sensitive, so we don't use them. Many Hosts use have ozone machines in case of smoke or cooking odors and they seem to be effective. Use caution when using, as humans, plants and animals cannot be inside when used, and windows need to be opened after use.

[Lorina14]

@Joan2709 @Leslie71 

We have an air purifier in each listing ($300-400) and it really helps with dust, dander, smells and it hasn’t left our unit (knock on wood) - we need to clean the filters when it indicates and luckily it kicks up when needed and turns turn when not - it even picked up a fart when someone walked by once, 😂).

We also have a portable Aerus that I don’t leave in the unit to ozonate the space if needed (it has a variety of settings - regular to pure to leave the room. It sanitizes with a UV light and a special plate (they are sold through HVAC companies and runs about $1200) and it’s been a life saver for the people who deep fry with fish and hot sauce. Plants, pets and people shouldn’t be there and one should air out the space for a while before guests show up as this was an issue for a couple of posts so much that it aggravated a guest’s lungs.

I would not prohibit certain foods as it probably goes along with a no eating on the couch or bed (that doesn’t happen folks even with the best intentions) then guests may think you’re a very picky host. Maybe in your house rules you could mention to please always use the vent while cooking and leave the air purifier on (some of my guests turn it off for some reason) as it helps to decrease odors left from strong smelling dishes.

[Leslie71]

Excellent suggestions.   Thanks 

[Joan2709]

@Lorina14 

Can you share a link to the air purifier you are using? Always looking for a good one.

[Leslie71]

Great ... appreciate the advice

[Adel2330]

Yes, I had expensive air purifiers that I bought online and they smelled like soap, unfortunately both of them were stolen by guests on different dates. That's why I prefer to use regular air fresheners. I especially open the windows while cleaning and use soap and floor cleaner, the house smells so good, and when I wash the textiles, I put a little vinegar in the washing machine.I had a tourist guest and unfortunately the smell coming from his shoes was very bad. I asked the guest not to leave his shoes in the shoe rack and to put them in a bag and put them outside his window in his room. because the guests staying in the other room and I were very affected. The smell spread everywhere in the house. I remember him giving me a star after I just warned him.. unfortunately there's nothing we can do. Being a homeowner is really a serious matter of patience

[Lorina14]

@Adel2330 

Oh my stinky shoes! Maybe you could have an enzyme odor foot spray for guests like that to use or some bamboo charcoal bags. The bamboo charcoal bags were the only thing to help the off gassing from my dresser that we put together from bed bath and beyond. I ozonated it, aired it out, put it in the sun and still smelled until those magic bags! They come in a large pack of various sizes on amazon.

[Adel2330]

Yes, this is a very logical idea. I have never heard of this before. I will research this. Thank you.🌷🙏👋

[Rebecca]

Hello @Adel2330 👋

I'm tagging @Lorina14  here so they receive a notification of your message. If you type "@" and then the username, this will tag the member that you're replying to. 

Hope this helps and keeps the conversation flowing! 

[Helen3]

I wouldn't @Leslie71  I would say something more generic like strong smelling foods.

have you tried an air purifier? 

[Leslie71]

Good suggestion.   Thanks