u/Ajhart11

Update: the tenant went to the dr, and there was a mass in one of his organs. Per the research I’ve done, the smell in the cabin is directly linked to it. I wish I’d just said something to him 8 months ago when I noticed it.

ORIGINAL POST:

I need help troubleshooting a malingering smell

I am a cleaner, I’ve been cleaning vacation rentals for 4 years and also have a handful of residential clients. One of my airbnb clients has started doing mid/long terms for the past year, and always recommends me to her tenants for bi weekly cleanings. All of this to say, I am very familiar with her properties, I have been her only cleaner for several years. Last year, she had a new tenant move in to her cabin and with him came a smell. I don’t really understand what’s happening. He’s a clean guy, it’s not a body odor. I can every two weeks, it isn’t rotting food, or mold. The smell is indescribable, but it is overwhelming. I have to air out the cabin for an hour before I can even go in. It doesn’t seem to bother him, maybe he’s nose blind to it. He definitely sweats a lot, so I wonder if it’s something to do with the medication he takes. It has a pungent, burning sensation to the nose, and it has seeped into the linens, the couch, everything. I do his laundry, and it clings to his clothes. I’m worried that even after he moves out, I won’t be able to get this smell out of the cabin. Obviously, I wouldn’t want to offend him by bringing it up. He’s a professional guy, he isn’t a slob, so I don’t think it’s something he can help. It’s not like he is skipping showers. I know it’s not just me, the owner has visited and she can smell it too. I’m open to any and all suggestions. If we can’t find a way to freshen this place up, we’ll be forced to toss the furniture. She has a mattress encasement and water proof pillow encasements. However, even after deep washing the duvet (comforter) it still smells of him. Does anyone have any experience with this? Help!!

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I am a cleaner, I’ve been cleaning vacation rentals for 4 years and also have a handful of residential clients. One of my airbnb clients has started doing mid/long terms for the past year, and always recommends me to her tenants for bi weekly cleanings. All of this to say, I am very familiar with her properties, I have been her only cleaner for several years. Last year, she had a new tenant move in to her cabin and with him came a smell. I don’t really understand what’s happening. He’s a clean guy, it’s not a body odor. I can every two weeks, it isn’t rotting food, or mold. The smell is indescribable, but it is overwhelming. I have to air out the cabin for an hour before I can even go in. It doesn’t seem to bother him, maybe he’s nose blind to it. He definitely sweats a lot, so I wonder if it’s something to do with the medication he takes. It has a pungent, burning sensation to the nose, and it has seeped into the linens, the couch, everything. I do his laundry, and it clings to his clothes. I’m worried that even after he moves out, I won’t be able to get this smell out of the cabin. Obviously, I wouldn’t want to offend him by bringing it up. He’s a professional guy, he isn’t a slob, so I don’t think it’s something he can help. It’s not like he is skipping showers. I know it’s not just me, the owner has visited and she can smell it too. I’m open to any and all suggestions. If we can’t find a way to freshen this place up, we’ll be forced to toss the furniture. She has a mattress encasement and water proof pillow encasements. However, even after deep washing the duvet (comforter) it still smells of him. Does anyone have any experience with this? Help!!