If you’ve ever moved out of a rental property only to discover a strong, lingering Odour especially something like curry then you’re not alone. It’s a surprisingly common problem landlords face here in Queensland. Cooking smells, smoke, pets, and other odours can cling to carpets, walls, curtains, and vents long after tenants leave, making the property less appealing and sometimes uninhabitable for the next occupants.
Why Do Odours Linger So Long?
First question to answer is why do Odours linger so long? Why after months foul smell remains in the home?
Odours from food like curry contain oils and spices that settle deeply into paint, fabric, furniture, and carpets. These molecules cling tightly, which is why surface cleaning alone often doesn’t cut it.
This makes them tough to remove. That’s why tackling odour requires a thorough and multi-step approach luckily, there are effective ways to handle it.
Step 1: Deep Clean Every Surface
The first step of removing foul Odour from the home is deep cleaning every surface thoroughly.
One of the biggest mistakes is overlooking walls and ceilings. Curry oils and other residues easily coat painted surfaces, cabinets, and inside cupboards.
Sugar soap or kitchen degreasers work best to break down these oily layers. Places like exhaust fans and rangehoods are a trap house for grease and odour. So don’t forget places like exhaust fans and rangehoods, which trap grease and odour.
Curtains, blinds, and fabric furnishings absorb smells and might need professional cleaning or replacement if quite old or heavily affected.
Step 2: Professional Carpet Cleaning (or Replacement)
Carpets are usually the worst offenders. The fibres trap cooking smells deep down, so professional steam cleaning is essential.
However, some landlords have found that in severe cases, their carpets didn’t improve much after cleaning and had to be replaced.
It’s worth investing in good carpet treatment or replacement to save headaches later.
You can use professional end of lease carpet cleaners in Brisbane or end of lease carpet cleaners in Gold Coast for a hassle-free cleaning.
Step 3: Don’t Forget the Kitchen Appliances and Vents
Rangehoods, exhaust fans, and air conditioners can circulate stale odours if not cleaned properly.
Filters usually need replacing, and sometimes parts of the appliances themselves require dismantling for deep cleaning to remove grease build-up.
Wiping down inside cupboards, drawers, and behind appliances also helps eliminate any hidden odour sources.
Step 4: Consider Using Odour Neutralisers
Ozone machines have a good reputation for tackling tough smells and can be hired from hardware stores.
They work by breaking down odour-causing molecules but must be used carefully with no one inside the property during treatment.
Activated charcoal, coffee grounds, and specialisedodour absorption gels are simple at-home options that can help reduce lingering smells.
Step 5: Refresh with Repainting
After deep cleaning, repainting walls and ceilings can really help seal in freshness.
Curry oils can cling to paint layers, so painting over a clean surface prevents odours from escaping into the air.
Some landlords have had to repaint multiple times for best results.
Sometimes the carpet underlay might need replacing too, especially if odours have settled underneath.
Step 6: Ventilate and Repeat as Needed
Ventilation is a simple but vital step for complete Odour removal.
Opening windows and doors for extended periods allows odours to dissipate.
Sometimes you’ll need to repeat cleaning and airing out multiple times to fully clear the scent.
Bonus Tips for Landlords
Keep detailed records and photos if you’re hoping to claim bond money for odour-related cleaning or repairs.
Consider adding a clause for end-of-lease cleaning or odour treatments in your rental agreements to set clear expectations.
Don’t hesitate to call in professional end of lease cleaning services if the smell is stubborn or bad enough to impact renting the property again.
