Group Homes and Odor

Group homes for the disabled often have residents who may have incontinence problems. This can lead to a bad odor filling a group home, especially the resident’s bedroom. Often the odor cannot be removed because it has gotten into the mattress. An upholstery cleaner may be useful in getting the odor out. Sometimes a new mattress may be needed if the smell cannot be removed. Once you have a clean, odor free mattress you will want to prevent urine and feces from soaking into the mattress again.

One of the best ways to protect a mattress is to start out with a waterproof mattress cover.

Maximum Odor Protection for Mattresses

You will want to put a mattress cover on top of that so that the resident doesn’t develop skin problems from the plastic. Washable underpads or disposable underpads can be put in the area that usually becomes soiled and the fitted sheet put on top of that. A second set of underpads can be put on top of the fitted sheet that will be positioned directly under the group home resident. In the event of an accident or adult diapers leak, just the pad will become wet or soiled.

This will save time because it prevents the entire bed needing to be stripped and the bedding being washed.

Washing Odor Out of Bedding

Sometimes bedding will get soiled. Dehydration, minimal water intake, and some medications can cause urine to have a strong smell. Feces generally has a strong odor to begin with. Bleach can get the smell out and sanitize linen. It can also bleach out color and damage fabric. Vinegar, backing soda, and hydrogen peroxide are also effective cleaners. Cleaners for odor removal are effective but may be costly. Janitorial supply companies are a good source for professional strength odor removers.

Preventing odor is the best way to keep a group home smelling fresh and clean and like a home should smell. When the odor cannot be prevented the source should be found and eliminated because covering up the odor is never effective for long.