I've been dealing with a persistent sweet, fragrant smell in my office, which started after what I think was some overheating from my monitor's power adapter and my UPS. I've already thrown away the power adapter and UPS, and I've aired out the room for two days, but the smell is still there. Sometimes I feel some throat irritation when I'm in there. I'm concerned that something might have leaked into the carpet or if the smell has just become embedded. What can I do to fully eliminate the hazard and make my office safe again? Will the smell eventually go away by itself? Would hiring a carpet cleaner help, considering I'm renting this place?
3 Answers
You mentioned the power brick was the smelliest part of the carpet. It could be that area has absorbed some residue. If the professional cleaners can’t manage to get rid of it all, you might need to replace that section of the carpet eventually. But getting it cleaned thoroughly is definitely the first step.
It sounds like you definitely took the right steps by getting rid of the faulty equipment. If it was the power brick or UPS that overheated, it's possible that it leaked something, especially if there were lithium batteries involved. But since you mentioned the APC UPS has a lead-acid battery, that's usually less of a concern for leaks. It’s a good idea to hire professionals for a deep clean, especially if the smell is strong. They might be able to get rid of any residue and make sure your carpet is safe.
You might not have to worry about it being flammable since it’s lead-acid. The sweet smell can be concerning, though! The main thing is to make sure whatever residues there are are cleaned up. If you're feeling head pains or throat irritation, getting it cleaned is a smart move. Also, consider placing an air purifier in the room after cleaning to help clear the air as well.
Good point about the air purifier! That might really help with the lingering odor. Just be sure to ventilate well until everything is resolved.
Just make sure to inform the carpet cleaners about the smell. They can use the right equipment to handle it. And yes, as long as you don't see any stains or wetness, you should be safe. It's definitely stressful to deal with, but getting the cleaning done should help!