In an RV's small space odors can seem overpoweringly strong. Odor control isn’t difficult if you take care of it right away. Baking soda is one of the most effective and least costly odor-destroying substances. For about $1.00, you can prevent far more costly cleanups.
Baking soda is alkaline, which makes it a good treatment for stains and odors caused by acids. For that reason it’s not the best treatment for pet urine odor (ammonia is alkaline) although it may be of some benefit in neutralizing the uric acid found in pet urine.
But the acids in milk, fruit juice, and other liquids are neutralized by baking soda. Here’s a couple examples:
- We buy milk by the gallon but there’s only room for one gallon in our refrigerator. I pour a second gallon into two large V8 bottles, or two ½ gallon juice containers that fit on the door. Now, milk, being milk, leaves a residue that causes a sour odor if not removed. So, I wash these containers with detergent and a bottle brush, then fill them with water and a couple tablespoons of baking soda and let them soak. They are clean and smell fresh after about 30 minutes.
- And if milk spills in your carpets or seat cushions, clean it up right away then apply a strong baking soda/water solution and let it air dry. If this leaves visible powdered or clumped baking soda, just brush it a bit and vacuum it up.
- Battery acid can destroy the terminals on your car or RV batteries. An occasional rinsing with a mixture of water and a couple tablespoons of baking soda neutralizes battery acid. For built up acid you may need to use a coarse brush, but wear protective glasses, gloves and an apron to protect your eyes, skin and clothing. For added safety, hold a paper or plastic bag over the terminals while you brush them to keep the acid from splashing on anything else.
- And of course baking soda’s odor-absorbing characteristics make it useful in the refrigerator or anywhere that odors accumulate.
- The trash bin, litter box area or pet sleeping areas are other spaces to use baking soda.
Pet Stains and Odors
There are dozens of products on the market to eliminate pet odors and stains but some work better than others. For acidic stains (hairballs and the like) baking soda might be enough but when it’s not, try one of the commercial brands that are made of enzymes. Your other choices are detergent and chemical based cleaners, but don’t mix them. These can destroy enzymes.
Enzymes digest organic matter in pet urine, feces, etc. It also works on milk (just sayin’ in case the baking soda fell short.) Non-enzyme cleaners are made of various chemicals that may help to loosen the stain particles, but do nothing to help remove them from the fabric. If you don’t get it all out, there it remains. Enzymes, on the other hand, break down the structure of the particles. We find enzyme-based pet products in grocery and pet stores and pet departments of most big-box discount stores.
Silica Gel
Silica gel is useful for dehumidifying small spaces as well as deodorizing litter boxes. According to Wikipedia silica gel is non-toxic, non-flammable, non-reactive and stable with ordinary usage, although it can irritate the respiratory or digestive track, skin or eyes. My point is that the silica gel you are likely to purchase is generally safe, but do store it away from where children and pets can get it.
Silica gel used for litter boxes can deodorize effectively for up to 30 days absorbing urine and odor. It’s lighter weight than clay formulas, and not as likely to create problems as clay is if it gets into your black or gray tanks.
Silica gel is also found in tiny packets in pill bottles, put there to keep moisture from degrading the pills. Since pharmaceutical companies wouldn’t package a toxic substance in contact with a medicine, this source of silica gel would be safe to use for other household purposes.
You can find these little packets in with some prescription medications as well as some over-the-counter ones. They come in shoes, purses and many other products. So, what else are they good for? Lots of things. Put them with anything, especially electronics that could be exposed to and damaged by water in any form: humidity, condensation, rain, pool, spa or shower room. One recommendation is to remove batteries from electronics to prevent any damage from electrolysis that batteries can cause.
- Cameras bags
- Cell phone
- Computer
- Electronic book readers
- Any electronics
- Photos or important documents
- Silver, to prevent tarnish or corrosion
- Tackle boxes, sporting equipment or tools to prevent rust
- Closets, shoes, coat pockets and clothing especially in very humid areas
- Any area where mildew might grow
Silica gel doesn’t wear out. But there is a limit to the amount of moisture it can hold. Dry them in a warm oven on a cookie sheet for between one and three hours at 120° - 325° (depending upon quantity) until they turn from pink to blue and they’ll be as good as new. For silica gel to be most effective in cupboards or storage areas you’ll need roughly 100 grams for every 7 cubic feet.
Insects Be Gone
Stuff a couple dryer sheets in your RV cabinets, closets and outside storage bins to dissuade spiders and insects from moving in.
Spray insect repellent around your windows and door(s) outside storage and anywhere that insects might enter your RV. I spray some on a cloth and wipe it around the border of my computer screen to discourage mosquitos, gnats or other insects that are attracted by light.