I hired carpet cleaners 4 days ago. They left a chemical smell all
throughout the house. I called them back and they said they had to use
more cleaning fluid than usual because the carpets were dirty. They
used precleaning fluid plus steam cleaning.

Today I hired another more well-respected company to try and get the
odor from the first group out. They steam-cleaned the carpet, but the
chemical smell is still there.

What can I do to get rid of this chemical smell?

Thanks for these suggestions. I will try them. I hope the chemicals
are not dangerous to me or my dog though.

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message ...
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On 1 Mar 2004 22:55:34 -0800, (eric veller)
wrote:

I hired carpet cleaners 4 days ago. They left a chemical smell all
throughout the house. I called them back and they said they had to use
more cleaning fluid than usual because the carpets were dirty. They
used precleaning fluid plus steam cleaning.

Today I hired another more well-respected company to try and get the
odor from the first group out. They steam-cleaned the carpet, but the
chemical smell is still there.

What can I do to get rid of this chemical smell?


Open the windows and set up several fans blowing over the carpets.
Turn on your furnace fan to the "always on" position for several days.

In addition to the advice already given: burn several of the candles that
are designed to get rid of smoke small (not just "regular" candles -- these
really do help). You also might want to try some of the plug-in air
fresheners for a few days. Monitor the candles carefully, especially if you
have children or pets.

MaryL

I have never heard of any problems. I had a very strong odor of smoke in my
house when a microwave oven malfunctioned and did not turn off (which
literally turned the food to charcoal but also released the most incredibly
heavy, smoky stench). I have a cat, and the candles did not hurt either of
us. I used the candles that are designed to get rid of smoke (but does not
actually place an odor in the air) and also used some vanilla-scented
candles. However, I was always careful not leave them burning when I could
not be present to watch them. You should probably place them on a counter
out of the reach of your dog, and do *not* get the kind of candles that are
used for aromatherapy. There are som with essential oils that really are
dangerous for cats (but I don't know about dogs).

Incidentally, I ran my air conditioner and/or fan most of the time for a few
days, and the filter was actually sticky with residue when I changed it a
few days later. Of course, the smoke actually had particles that the filter
could "catch," but you might also want to try this.

MaryL

"eric veller" wrote in message
om...
Thanks for these suggestions. I will try them. I hope the chemicals
are not dangerous to me or my dog though.

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...
"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On 1 Mar 2004 22:55:34 -0800, (eric veller)
wrote:

I hired carpet cleaners 4 days ago. They left a chemical smell all
throughout the house. I called them back and they said they had to
use
more cleaning fluid than usual because the carpets were dirty. They
used precleaning fluid plus steam cleaning.

Today I hired another more well-respected company to try and get the
odor from the first group out. They steam-cleaned the carpet, but the
chemical smell is still there.

What can I do to get rid of this chemical smell?


Open the windows and set up several fans blowing over the carpets.
Turn on your furnace fan to the "always on" position for several days.

In addition to the advice already given: burn several of the candles
that
are designed to get rid of smoke small (not just "regular" candles --
these
really do help). You also might want to try some of the plug-in air
fresheners for a few days. Monitor the candles carefully, especially if
you
have children or pets.

MaryL

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message ...
In addition to the advice already given: burn several of the candles that
are designed to get rid of smoke small (not just "regular" candles -- these
really do help). You also might want to try some of the plug-in air
fresheners for a few days. Monitor the candles carefully, especially if you
have children or pets.

These are NOT going to remove any smells but just add more.

"Bill Seurer" wrote in message
...
"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...
In addition to the advice already given: burn several of the candles
that
are designed to get rid of smoke small (not just "regular" candles --
these
really do help). You also might want to try some of the plug-in air
fresheners for a few days. Monitor the candles carefully, especially if
you
have children or pets.

These are NOT going to remove any smells but just add more.

That's true of the plug-in air freshener, but the candles that are designed
to eliminate smoke odor do not leave any scent of their own. I don't know
how it works, but I did find that that was true in my case. Scented
candles, of course, will do just as you said.

MaryL

Thanks for these suggestions. I will try them. I hope the chemicals
are not dangerous to me or my dog though.

any reputable steam cleaning company will never use chemicals as you are
describing. what kind of equipment did they use? they should have done a
final rinse, eliminating most ( if not all ) residues. post bonneting will
get even more out. sounds like you hired a fly by night company.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.587 / Virus Database: 371 - Release Date: 2/12/04