randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
we have converted one of our bedrooms to a workout room where we have gym equipment, tv, and small sofa.
i can't use some of the equipment but he does. he uses the nordictrack and treadmill.
but there's a big problem. i'm very sensitive to odors anymore. slightest thing makes me sick.
he closes the door when he exercises to watch tv. but he exercises for awhile and he sweats alot. AND IT STINKS!!!!
after he finishes i gag and almost vomit when i open the door..it's overpowering, i mean you can't believe the stench. imagine rotten socks and poop filled underwear...and really bad bo....GAG....
how in the world do i get rid of this odor? i open the windows, spray fabreeze, you name it. i can't get the awful odor out.
any ideas??? i've tried everything....candles, open windows, ceiling fans, nothing works...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Remove the source.
Seriously, though, the socks and soiled underwear are just the smells you smell - those items are surely not left in the room !? If so, go back to original answer: remove the source (and interpret that in the most effecive manner).
If there is not a fresh air source, I don't see how this can improve. Just covering it with Febreeze, other scented products, even candles can be toxic approach.
Just as in a gym, I hope he wipes down the equipment (with a citrus based wash, no chemicals and no scents) after use and he washes all his workout clothes immediately.
That would be required for a start. But the air, the walls would need a fresh air exchange. Without some fresh air coming in, there's not much chance of improvement. Best if done DURING the workout so there is not the buildup in the first place.
Some equipment, itself, will off-gas (especially if it has a motor that gets warm) and smell pretty bad and trigger ill effects, especially if new. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- Those clumps of white chalky stuff that can take humidity out of a room might help.
A dehumidifier might but then you have more petroleum/plastic to off-gas. Part of the trouble could be the humid workout air settling into the walls and floor. The drier the room can be, maybe better?
You may just have to avoid this room and create another space for yourself. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
lol...he wears clean clothes and no clumps in the undies....that was his son who lived with us and that's a whole nother story!!!
we have the air on in that room and it has a celing fan which he keeps on medium. don't think he wipes down the equipment tho.
and he puts his clothes in the washer afterwards....
hmmm, i'm almost tempted to get one of those air thingies like that one my mom had...ionic purifier or something. hey it's HIS room, what do i care...
no, i have to do something cause the odor comes out in the hallway and phew....
i've heard good and bad about those things but they seemed to help my mom's house alot and she had cats...i was in a back bedroom at her house and it didn't seem to bother me.
i've goggled and found some natural products but they cover huge spaces and this room is probably only about 12x12 so it's not real big.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- An air purifier seems about right. Ionic may or may not be the right kind but that seems like the most logical approach.
Surely some web research will guide you to the right kind. You can't be the only person with this situation.
But, whatever you do, with chemical sensitivies, it can't be by masking with chemicals. Maybe the MCS sites have more detail - and which air purifiers won't add to the toxic mix by their casing.
You'd want one that can also deal with fungi in the moist air, too.
Maybe call local gym and ask them how they do it (other than with chemicals and toxic scents)?
I would want an ilsolate air system for that room. If the weather is nice (early am or evening), maybe close off the air vent and open window during exercise?
Otherwise, the bad air is just being circulated throughout the house -- but that depends on how your system is designed. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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The Environmental Health Center - Dallas, Texas -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
we got a new trane a/c system which is whole house. the vents run through the ceilings of each room. everything is total electric. however, there are two large ceiling to floor windows in that room. the landscaping is high enough that you can open the windows up halfway and nobody knows they're open. but with this texas heat, it's already in the 90's....so has it closed up.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
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posted
- A new AC system should have a good fresh air intake but you might want to check to be sure it's all programmed as you need it. Maybe that room is not getting enough fresh air through the system. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
You could get some thieves essential oil and diffuse it.
It smells like cinnammon/cloves, if that's a smell you like.
I use it in my home and love it. It takes that 'boy smell' out of my son's room.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
No, you have to buy from someone who sells it.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
So, is it the perspiration that is causing the odor? If you are smelling poop, maybe he is passing gas. I found the cure for "silent but deadly" farts was to drink kefir. This changed the bowel flora, and the difference was amazing.
I read something interesting about a person's body aroma. If a guy smells good to a woman, that is a sign that his immune system is different than hers, which bodes well for any children they may have.
If the guy's immune system is too much like her own, the woman will not like his scent.
I like my husband's scent. However, when my son would get in the car after track practice, I almost passed out.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Carol,,,
Where do YOU buy kefir? walmart,walgrens fareway(supermarkets)?
how much does one drink?
sounds interesting
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Hi Don!
You can buy Kefir in the grocery store, Walmart, or health food store, but I buy the starter powder and make my own.
Yogourmet Freeze Dried Kefir Starter Available from iHerb.com and from vendors at Amazon.com.
If you decide to try this, let me know, and I'll send you simplified directions. It tastes similar to cultured buttermilk, but more complex. I find that a cup of it per day works for me.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
You can google thieves essential oil and lots of links will come up.
You can buy a diffuser, which are inexpensive, that plugs in.
You put a little bit of thieves on a little pad that slides into the diffuser.
When you plug it in, it gets warm and the smell diffuses through the room.
I guess you could spray it, but diffusing it works really well.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i went to wallie world today and shopped cause i'm leaving next week for a couple of weeks in ohio. his son's wedding ya know..(nother story).
but i found this large plastic thingy in the auto section, linen smell, that said it was good for autos, trucks, garages, and all. so i thought "wth" and bought it. then went to deodorizer section in the food part and bought a thing for extreme odors.
well it's worth a shot. if that doesn't work, then it's ionic purifier time...
or maybe keeb is right...he starts living in the rv...
oh carol, sorry i forgot. the odor is just like a men's locker room that has never been cleaned. can't describe it, a sour mildewy, body odor, really bad smell...
it's almost as bad as some of the europeans when i lived in europe back in the 70's and they didn't bathe quite so often. only it's more sour....
only perfume ain't gonna cover this...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Making your own kefir is cheaper and not hard, don!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
Bed, Bath and Beyond has products that absorb unpleasant odors. They're solids contained in what looks like a big candle holder.
The thieves oil sounds really good to me...will have to check that out.
As for the kefir, I'm lightyears behind you guys....
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
I've discovered a 100% natural non-aerosol called Pure Citrus. It's a orange air freshener that eliminates bathroom odors nicely.
It is $5 7 oz. But it doesn't give me headaches and worth every penny. Doesn't take but one small mist.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
Where did you get that, map? Is it chemical free?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
well i have a car deodorizer called black ice but it doesn't last long...
maybe running him through the car wash would work...
and if i could just get him to flush the toliet!!!!
what is it with men anyway???
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Tutu, ingredients say 100% natural, oils found in oranges.
I found it at Kroger. Haven't looked at Walmart etc. Could be cheaper elsewhere? First time I've found a odor eater that didn't make me ill.
Randi, another idea is Arm & hammer baking soda put in wide mouth bowls and such around the room, maybe one in each corner of the room. If there's carpet in that room. Try sprinkling Arm & hammer around the room and vacuum. Odors will cling to fabrics, carpet etc.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
Look for chlorine dioxide or Room Shocker at Amazon.com for more.
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
Fabreeze can actually make odors worse. It just covers them up and morphs into something more powerful over time.
Ozium is what some hospitals use to use. I don't know if they still use it. It says it's used in gyms. It destroys the bacteria, but I don't know how healthy the product is since they don't list most of the ingredients.
Pure Ayre is another product, I've seen the air freshener in some bathrooms and it seems to work well. I tried the laundry product and it didn't remove perfume from a dress though, but I don't think that's your issue.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
Get an essential oils diffuser and diffuse Thieves or Purification in the room.
Also, freshly brewed coffee can get rid of a lot of nasty odors. Maybe put a coffee maker in the room and set it to automatically run during/after hubby's workouts? But will need to make sure you have fresh coffee grounds in it...
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
I used "zero odor" that I bought online. Used it when the dear kitty (RIP) cleared a room with a cat box event. It really works and clears out the odor fast. And stays gone.
Could there be something dead in the wall or attic? Jus thinking outside the box....
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I use X-O Odor Neutralizer & the Plus (odor neutralizer + cleaner). http://www.xocorp.com/
I found out about the products when I was in college working for a vet. Worth every penny based on my experience.
Posts: 25 | From N. Texas | Registered: Oct 2012
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