Whether you are the owner of an older garage, or have allowed your garage to fall into a state of disrepair, you may begin to notice that the area can emit some rather unpleasant smells.
Garages can be used to store so many things; tools, cars and miscellaneous bits and bobs that can all provide unusual smells that you may want to get rid of.
There are a number of potential culprits of bad smells in garages. These can include:
- Mould
- Chemicals
- Animal waste
- Pets
- Paint
Today we are going to address some of the common sources of malodour, and give you some pointers to turn your garage into something that smells much more pleasant.
Locate the source (if there is any)
A quick inspection of your garage should reveal any signs of damp and mildew. Though most modern garages are built to a strict code of quality, requiring better ventilation which makes damp and cold unlikely, this is still a problem in many older houses. Both mould and damp can cause an unpleasant smell in your garage that can spread and cause damage if untreated.
Treat mould and damp immediately
The longer mould and mildew are left untreated the more they spread, and the more damage they do. There are a number of different causes of mould, so make sure you read our earlier blog about how to prevent damp in your garage and are able to identify and eliminate common sources.
Air out your garage
Bad smells can build up over time in closed off garages, so air it out by opening all of the windows and doors. Doing this for a number of hours is a good way of getting the bad smells out, and getting some fresh air in.
Ventilate your garage
One of the most common sources of damp and mould is poor ventilation. When moisture is unable to leave a garage as freely as it enters it can circulate in the air, and lead to mould forming. If you consistently notice mould forming faster than you can get rid of it then it may be time to look into your ventilation and action some repairs.
Use cat litter
When you use garages for storing chemicals or vehicles it is only natural that sometimes they may get spilled or leak, which can cause bad smells. Besides airing out your garage, there are a number of ways that you can get rid of the spillages and stains. Whilst normal cleaner and a healthy dose of enthusiasm can eradicate most spills (make sure you read the cleaning instructions on the back of the bottle of whatever has spilled before you start), cat litter is a great way of getting rid of oils and smells simultaneously. Simply leave a handful of cat litter over the spill for a couple of days, and then sweep it up. Cat litter can also work remarkably well to remove animal waste or urine. Follow the same procedure as above.
There is no reason why garages should smell bad if they are well used and maintained. Simply look out for any signs of mould and damp and treat any spills and waste when you can, rather than letting it develop into more of a problem.
