How Can I Block Outside Odors?

Tammy Hawkins
by Tammy Hawkins

I live in a Basement Apartment, which shares an entrance with the Street Level home. Stairs to the Basement are also shared with another Bedroom, of the Street Level home. I won't say what the Odor coming from the Basement Bedroom is (it is legal), but, due to having a serious breathing condition and being on oxygen 24/7, I am having trouble (air fresheners mask the Odor but cause other breathing problems for me.


The only thing that I see that we 'share' is my doorway to the Basement Foyer, which is before the hallway to the Basement Bedroom. I have added curtains to the outside of my door (just because they were from another apartment and I thought they would be cute and maybe help). They have not stopped any of the Odor. I am next thinking of adding one of those 'under-the-door' draft blocker things, but I am not sure that it will help.


I can not move. I pay no rent, no utilities and if it should happen, I will never pay for groceries or meals, medications, clothing, treats, or anything that I may ever need in my life. The person causing the odor has been spoken to several times in several different ways. Their moving is not an option.


Any ideas?

Wow, looks like I need to go out and fix that right side of the curtain...LOL

  7 answers
  • Hi Tammy. I'm not sure of I can help, but from what you've said, if you're all sharing the same heating system, the odor is probably coming through the ductwork. If that's the case, I don't think there's much you can do. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

  • Tammy Hawkins Tammy Hawkins on Oct 24, 2018

    Nope, no duct work, each area has baseboard heaters. I have the only bathroom in the downstairs area, so it isn't the exhaust fan either, I already considered them. I do appreciate your thoughts, thank you

  • Oliva Oliva on Oct 24, 2018

    Have you tried setting out bowls of charcoal (without lighter fluid on them) to absorb odors? There's also "Odo Ban concentrated liquid, available at Sam's Club. Try washing the walls with this, as well as "common areas". It's excellent for neutralizing odors.

    You could try adding foam or rubber gaskets along the door frames, if they'd fit without interfering with door operation.


    • Tammy Hawkins Tammy Hawkins on Oct 24, 2018

      Sadly, we have five cats, setting out bowls of anything probably won't work. I have used Odo Ban, when I was running hotels...good stuff. A good wash down will help but the 'agent' causing the odor will still be causing an effect. I do like your idea of foam/rubber around the door frame. I am definitely going to look into that!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Oct 24, 2018

    Try placing an odor eliminating air purifier in the hallway. Change the filters regularly.

    • Tammy Hawkins Tammy Hawkins on Oct 25, 2018

      That was a thought that flitted through my head and went out the other side. Thank you, that just may work!

  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Oct 29, 2018

    Have you tried a fan which blows away from your door and sends the odor back to them? I like your idea of a draft blocker at the bottom of ther door. And some one mentioned an air purifier .

  • Laura Cooper Laura Cooper on Oct 29, 2018

    Tammy, I've had excellent success with using a photo catalytic oxidizing air purifier. This PCO technology is relatively new and is being used in hospitals. In a nutshell, the PCO actually attaches to particles in the air and destroys them. Bacteria, viruses, molds, pollens, dusts and...... Smoke.....

    I bought a unit on Amazon from Oion that we've been using for years. It is very noticeable when we don't use it. The one we purchased had very high reviews and was about $100.

  • Usually it bad air circulation that causes odor to stick around the basement, the first thing i would like you to do is to open the door when you come home and if ever your basement room has an window do open it. also try to have joss sticks. you can also add an exhaust fan. there are a lot of things you can do to solve this problem.