Concerned About The Smells? Try These 12 Hacks...

vickywarren, LPN

Some of us are able to handle the various smells that come with the job, while others, especially those with an extreme gag reflex, need to find ways to cope while providing outstanding patient care.

Here are twelve hacks to try next time your nose needs a break.

Coffee Beans

Is the nursing station smelling less than pleasant? Try placing a handful of ground coffee beans in a bowl or other container near the unpleasant smell and let the fragrant coffee aroma help dissipate the other odors.

Ground coffee beans mimic charcoal and absorb unpleasant smells. Freshly ground beans work best, however, you could try used coffee beans from the coffee maker. It's a perfect way to recycle and reuse!

Peppermint Oil

If you know you will be heading into a situation where smells will be an issue, carry some peppermint oil with you. Place a couple drops on your face mask before putting it on. Be sure to breathe through your nose to help alleviate the smells.

Lavender Oil

You could also rub a tiny bit of lavender oil under your nose (be sure to mix it with a bit of carrier oil such as coconut, sweet almond or jojoba).

Double Mask and Add Toothpaste

Here's a handy trick. Take two masks, smear toothpaste in the second mask (the one that doesn't touch your face), and put them on to help with the smells. Not only will the double masking help form an extra barrier, the toothpaste acts as a second line of defense. Try minty flavors for maximum results!

Isopropyl Alcohol

For those who get nauseous when dealing with unpleasant odors, be sure to carry alcohol with you. You likely carry it anyway, but a quick swipe of an alcohol pad under the nose will help take that icky feeling away. Don't leave the wipe in your mask though, you don't want to pass out!

If you don't have an alcohol wipe, spray or pour some isopropyl alcohol on your palm and take a quick whiff.

Toothpaste Your Palms

You know that at times, even with the best handwashing, your hands are left with lingering odors. Carry a small tube of toothpaste with you, mint works best. Rub toothpaste between your palms, let it sit for about 3 minutes and then wash again with soap and water.

Vick's or Any Type of Menthol Rub

Another handy thing to carry as a nurse is Vick's, thankfully they have little tubs of it!

If you find yourself needing more than your mask to help with odors, rub a little bit under your nose and let the menthyl aroma help your olfactory nerves out.

Mouthwash

Similar to ground coffee beans, mouthwash has a knack for absorbing unwanted odors in a room. All you need is a washcloth, kidney basin, and some mouthwash. Soak the washcloth in mouthwash and place the basin where you need the odors to dissipate and your golden!

Kitty Litter

While this won't work in a hospital or clinic, this one works for home care and hospice. Place a tray with kitty litter under the bed to help with unpleasant smells.

Iodoform Gauze

This works well for "no scent facilities". Take the iodoform gauze out of the container and spread it out. If you can, try pinning it up like a streamer. The iodoform will absorb a lot of the smells.

Melt in Your Mouth Breath Fresheners

You know the ones, the little tabs you place on your tongue and let melt. They have such a strong scent, they help mask the odors, and they cover up coffee breath as an added bonus!

Breathe Through Your Mouth or Just Smell It

Last but not least is to simply breathe through your mouth. Some will have an easier time with that than others, but it can be learned.

Another hack some teach is to simply take 3 or 4 big breaths of the smell to try to "train your nose" and it won't bother you.

It's worth mentioning that even though some odors can be hard to handle, being able to identify certain smells help your clinical know how. For example, once you've smelled C-Diff, you'll never forget it.

These are a few hacks you can try to help with the smells you encounter on your day to day as a nurse. Tell us, what do you do to help mask the smells?