Professional Odor Removal Services (2023)

While SERVPRO doesn’t use masking agents as a primary method, these agents, such as air fresheners only cover the odor—we may use them to provide a more pleasant odor while other deodorization methods are in progress.

Pairing agents are chemicals that combine with (or pair with) odor particles. Pairing agents will either be a humectant (highly absorptive) material that combines with airborne odor particles and causes them to precipitate onto surfaces where they can be cleaned up; or a counteractant, which combines chemically with an odor particle to change its odor-causing properties or destroy it. Pairing agents may be wiped, sprayed, or fogged.

Absorption and adsorption are different ways to collect odors. Absorption agents are composed of highly absorptive compounds, inert fillers, and perfume. Adsorption agents work by capturing odor gases from the air and holding them on the surface of the agent. These processes are used to filter odor gases from air passing by or through the filtration agent.

Disinfectants and sanitizers are used to control or kill odor-causing bacteria and fungi.

Enzyme digesters work effectively on organic or protein-based odors. Enzymes break down organic molecules into substances without odor, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and water-soluble by-products.

Electronic filters use an electrically charged grid to kill airborne microorganisms as they pass through the filter.

Oxidation occurs when a substance combines with oxygen. Ozone and hydroxyl generators may be used to produce ozone gas or hydroxyl radicals, which can permanently destroy odors through the oxidization process.

Deodorization usually requires a combination of techniques to be successful.

Until it’s removed, debris contaminated with odor-causing residues will continue to give off odors, so when possible, we deal with the source of the odor first.

After the source of the odor is removed, it’s important to thoroughly clean surfaces to deodorize them effectively. If not properly cleaned, small particles of odor-producing residue will continue to generate odors.

Distribute a deodorizer to a surface in a manner similar to the way odor-causing substances penetrated the surface. For example, if smoke created the problem, a deodorizing “smoke” or fog will be most effective in following odors to their source.

Severe situations may require sealing and can be used if odor removal would be too expensive or impractical. In these cases, sealing may be a solution to the odor problem.