Odour remediation with chlorine dioxide
Chlorine dioxide is well suited for odour remediation, and effectively removes odour nuisances that arise, among other things, after:
- Mould growth and damp damage
- Rising sewage
- Organic pollution
- Advice and degradation of materials
- Animal husbandry or animal material
- Stagnant water or biofilm in installations
- Fire-, smoke- or waste-related impacts
During odour remediation, it is crucial to first locate and remove the odour source itself. If the contaminated material is left behind, the odour may return. Chlorine dioxide should therefore be used as part of a comprehensive remediation process that includes cleaning, drying, ventilation and, where necessary, material removal.
Chlorine dioxide works by oxidation
Chlorine dioxide can be used as an effective measure in professional odour remediation where standard cleaning, ventilation or perfumed products are not sufficient. Many odour nuisances are caused by chemical compounds that settle in surfaces, materials, cracks, cavities and installations. These may include, for example, odours following fire and smoke, waste, sewage impact, mould, moisture damage or urine from livestock keeping.
Unlike products that merely mask the odour temporarily, chlorine dioxide works through oxidation. This means that the substance reacts with the odour-bearing compounds and chemically breaks them down. As a result, the actual cause of the odour is treated instead of just the symptom. This makes chlorine dioxide particularly relevant in cases of persistent odour problems, where the odour has penetrated materials or spread to hard-to-reach areas.
Odour remediation after fire and smoke damage
In the event of fire and smoke damage, odours can be difficult to remove because smoke particles and soot can penetrate porous materials, textiles, woodwork, insulation, concrete, fixtures and ventilation systems. Even after thorough cleaning, a persistent smell of smoke may remain, which is released over time. Here, chlorine dioxide can be used as part of the final odour remediation, once loose soot, contaminated material and visible residues have first been removed. The treatment can help to reduce the remaining odour-bearing compounds that ordinary cleaning does not always reach.
Odour remediation following pets and mould
Chlorine dioxide is also well suited for odours from waste, organic decomposition and sewage impacts. Such odours can be strong and persistent because they often originate from organic compounds, sulphur compounds, amines and other chemical substances with a very low odour threshold. Even small amounts of residual contamination can therefore cause significant odour nuisances. Once the primary contamination has been removed, chlorine dioxide can help to break down the remaining odorous substances and improve the overall experience of the room or installation.
In animal husbandry can urine, faeces and organic matter cause odour nuisances that embed themselves deeply in floors, walls, grout, woodwork and porous surfaces. Urine odour can be particularly difficult to remove because the odour does not just lie on the surface, but often penetrates into the material and develops over time. In connection with remediation following animal keeping, the area should first be thoroughly cleaned, and heavily contaminated materials should be assessed with a view to replacement. Chlorine dioxide can then be used to reduce the remaining odour load and treat the areas where the odour might otherwise be difficult to eradicate.
In the event of mould and damp damage The odour is often one of the most troublesome problems. The characteristic musty smell can linger even after the visible mould has been removed. This is because odour-carrying compounds may have become embedded in building materials, cavities and dust. Chlorine dioxide can be used here as a supplementary step in the remediation process, where the aim is not only to reduce mould-related contamination, but also, to a large extent, to eliminate the persistent odours of damp, mustiness, mould and stuffiness.
Prevent the bad smell from returning
One of the advantages of chlorine dioxide is that it can be used both on surfaces and in room treatment, depending on the nature of the task. As a gas or aqueous solution, the substance can come into contact with areas that can be difficult to treat with traditional methods. This applies, for example, to cracks, cavities, pipework, drains, technical installations and other places where odour can accumulate and be released over a longer period.
However, effective odour remediation always requires that the source of the odour is first identified and dealt with. If waste, soot, damp, urine-soaked materials or other contamination are left in place, the odour may return. Chlorine dioxide should therefore be regarded as part of a comprehensive remediation process, which includes cleaning, removal of contaminated material, drying, ventilation and, where necessary, material testing. When the preparatory work has been carried out correctly, chlorine dioxide can be an effective final treatment step that reduces residual odours and improves the indoor environment.
Treatment with chlorine dioxide must be carried out in a controlled manner and according to the product instructions. During the treatment, the area should normally be unoccupied, and people, animals and plants must not stay in the room. After the treatment, sufficient ventilation and outgassing must be ensured before the area is used again.
Correctly applied, chlorine dioxide can be a professional and effective tool for odour remediation after events such as fire, smoke, waste, sewage impact, mould, moisture damage, dead animals, corpses and urine from animal housing. The substance is particularly relevant when the odour has penetrated materials or is found in areas where conventional cleaning alone cannot solve the problem.