Learning Odor Control Lessons Through Trial-and-Error

Facility cleaning managers say they have learned valuable lessons in odor control over the years — often through trial and error. No matter the stench or its origins, here are their top four takeaways for keeping schools odor-free: 

Prioritize airflow. Enclosed spaces with poor ventilation trap odors. MacNeil advocates maintaining HVAC systems and ensuring they have the appropriate filtration for the task at hand. For spaces without central air (think classroom trailers), Martinez recommends air purifiers, air movers or even opening a window.  

Be preemptive (or, at least, proactive). Pazorski learned this lesson after the smell of pizza permeated a brand-new building following a catered event that left 50 pizza boxes stacked in a corner overnight. 

“Now, it’s mandatory to contact my office if the space is reserved for an event,” he relates. “That way we can determine if we need to send someone to empty waste afterward or have a porter work during the event to keep up with waste and spillage.” 

Be accessible and advertise the fact. Facility cleaning managers should make sure students and faculty know who to contact in the event of a facility maintenance issue. The University of Minnesota has television monitors throughout the building advertising the department’s call center for reporting concerns.  

Hold others accountable. Custodians’ time is limited, which is why more schools rely on students and staff to lend a helping hand.  

“I always say custodians are not maids. We don’t wash dishes and we don’t throw out food,” says Martinez. “When it comes to faculty rooms, it’s a shared responsibility.” 

Similarly, keeping schools odor-free is a shared responsibility among facility cleaning crews, particularly on campuses with hundreds of buildings and custodians. Regular meetings to disseminate information and share lessons learned can advance the cause of a clean and healthy campus.  

Kassandra Kania is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is a frequent contributor to Facility Cleaning Decisions. 

previous page of this article:
Making Sense of Hidden Scents