Reduced Ventilation: Older homes may not be as well-ventilated, leading to the stagnation of air and the accumulation of odors. These factors combined can create the characteristic scent that people often associate with elderly individuals' homes.
Sometimes when visiting senior care facility or an older adult's home, you may notice a musty, grassy, or greasy odor. While some have inaccurately linked this scent with poor hygiene, scientists have another name for it: nonenal. It is a researched condition that could be connected to the aging process.
Some of the hardest and worst smells to get rid of are pet odours, mold, and cigarette smells.
Lume Makes Senior Care Easy
Use Acidified Body Wash or Acidified Cleansing Bar when bathing, they are both clinically proven to remove odor better than soap, and control odor for 24 hours. They contain no harsh ingredients, and are formulated for Whole Body use.
On less delicate clothes, you can use vinegar in a spray, which is an excellent method for stubborn odors. First, hang the garment up and spray; once the vinegar evaporates, the smell will also be gone. Then open a window and let the vinegar odor clear.
Apparently there is something called “Occupant Odor.” These odors come from the detergents you use, cooking smells, cleaning supplies, and room fresheners. These scents then occupy spaces like curtains, carpets, cushions and pillows. Combined together, the meshing of these scents creates your distinct home smell.
Tactfully explain that you've noticed
Letting them know that you've noticed an odor or stains may help them realize that it's time to find a solution. Be gentle and tactful, and be careful not to use words or a tone that could be perceived as shaming.
Open as Many Windows & Doors as Possible. Let in fresh air and keep it coming. Those musty smells must go somewhere, and for stale air to leave, new fresh air must enter. Musty smells are often created by dust and poor ventilation, once you get some fresh air in the house it should remove odors considerably.
Open windows to improve airflow and minimize odor buildup in your loved one's home or care facility. You can also use a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) air purifier to improve the indoor air quality. Prepare meals that have less garlic and certain spices, such as cumin or curry, for your loved one.
It could be mold growth, dampness, or poor ventilation, leading to a musty odor. Look for signs of moisture, visible mold, or areas with limited airflow. Assess the Home's Ventilation: Older homes often struggle with proper ventilation.
Starting at about age 40, human bodies begin to subtly change the way that omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids on the skin are degraded. As these acids are exposed to oxygen in the air, the change creates a smell, called “nonenal” after the 2-nonenal molecule that is produced in the breakdown process.
Thoroughly clean all surfaces, carpets, and upholstery to remove dust, grime, and odor-causing particles. Use air purifiers and natural odor absorbers, like baking soda or charcoal, to neutralize lingering smells. Repaint walls and ceilings with odor-neutralizing paint, and consider replacing old carpets if necessary.
Natural Fabric Deodorizers
Keep fabrics smelling fresh with these natural solutions: Mix baking soda with a few drops of essential oil for a carpet deodorizer. Create a linen spray with water, vodka, and lavender essential oil.
Look for soaps containing ingredients like shea butter, oatmeal, ceramides, or hyaluronic acid. These ingredients help replenish the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Using hot water, specialized laundry boosters, or deep cleaning methods like laundry stripping can eliminate deep-set odors. Additionally, maintaining proper bedroom ventilation and using moisture-absorbing products can help keep sheets fresh longer.
Enjoy the crisp, iconic fragrance of Dial® Gold bar soap. This antibacterial bar soap offers round the clock odor protection. Formulated with Dial® Clean Rinse Technology™, it cleanses deep while being gentle on your skin.
"Place a mixture of your favorite herbs, spices, and water in a pot and simmer on the stove," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. "By mixing slices of lemon, orange, and lime with spices like mint, lavender, or basil, you can make your house smell great with things that are already in your kitchen."
Toxic black mold growth has a more potent and identifiable smell, like the smell of decay, wet soil, or rot. Visually, it may be greenish-black, grayish-black, slimy, or more furry than other forms of mold or mildew.