What is that Enchanting Smell?

A Break Down on Bacteria

The way that something smells is essential to how it is perceived by the brain. Studies have shown that 75% of emotion is triggered by smell linking to emotions and memories. When someone smells a flower, that person might catch a whiff of sweet and floral scents, but it might also bring back a fond memory of their wedding day or working out in the garden during a balmy summer day. The smell of soil gives off an earthy aroma but might also trigger the enjoyment of an early morning hike in the woods. However, personal perception is everything when it comes to life. While some might associate a scent with some happy memory, others might associate a scent with something negative or an unhappy memory. For instance, the smell of whiteboard markers might bring back memories of standing at the front of the class, anxiously trying to figure out a math problem in front of the teacher and the entire class – while for others, the smell of whiteboard markers could bring up a feeling of pride and fond memories of after school club meetings, utilizing the whiteboard to map out the club’s plans for that day.

Understanding the psychology of smells can help a company better understand what drives customers to say yes to a large purchase or how to keep employees happy. As a business or company, you want to make sure that your building is inviting and safe so that you can make the best impression on a consumer regardless if it is their first time stepping into your business or the 100th. Making sure that your facility is odor-free could have a huge impact on the way that consumers perceive their surroundings. Somewhere that smells fresh, clean, and pleasant could make or break the future with your business with that consumer.

To properly understand how a smell can affect your business, it is equally important to understand where a scent comes from. Knowing how smells come about will help prevent them from taking root in your facility and will also help your company keep the facility clean, safe and comfortable for years to come. When it is understood where a bad odor is coming from, there is a better chance of preventing the stink and maintaining odor control.

One of the most common reasons for an odor, good or bad, is the presence of bacteria. Bacteria are living organisms; the survival instincts of a bacterium are completely different from a person or animal, but they are highly complex and there is still much to be learned about these microscopic organisms. Within the biological makeup of these organisms, bacteria are able to produce a variety of different smells. The reasons for these odors have been debated at length amongst the scientific community. Some scientists have speculated that one reason for the odor could be that is a natural byproduct of the other essential processes that the bacteria engage in to survive. A commonly known example of this is when the bacteria break down certain compounds in your sweat, and in turn create body odor.

Another speculation for diverse aromas is that the microbes are engaged in microbial warfare, against one another or an outside source. Research has even suggested that certain bacteria can use senses and give off a “scent” that warns other bacteria of danger. This warning is given off from the bacteria by excreting a protection film around the cell or producing a gas that signals to neighbor bacteria of potential threat. A few examples of this theory in action are when you experience a thin white layer of film on your teeth before you brush them at night or when you experience bad breath in the mornings.

Bacteria can be found on virtually every surface of this planet from the bottom of the ocean to the inside of your liver. Bacteria can be helpful, but it also can be harmful to the body when the wrong bacteria are ingested or inserted into our systems. Medical devices and implants are always cleaned and disinfected before surgery to prevent bacteria from creating a film on the device. This process is to ensure the patient’s health during the procedure as well as during the healing process. Living in today’s world, it is imperative that facilities be kept clean, sanitized, and disinfected to ensure consumer and employee safety. Trusting an unreliable product could be leaving you and others in danger so trust a company and a product that has proven itself time and time again.

Studies and research have suggested that bacteria react differently given the different compounds that they come into contact with. Some bacteria give off a putrid odor while others can give off a pleasant aroma and some give off no odor until they come into contact with another compound.

Here are some common bacteria that you would find on your body as well as in nature:

Streptomyces

Commonly found in soil, streptomyces is a bacterium that gives soil its common earthy smell by releasing chemical compounds meant to attract invertebrates to help the bacteria disperse their spores and further reproduce around the world.

Streptococcus mutants

These bacteria live in our mouths, streptococcus mutants or S. Mutants are bacteria that emit a smelly gas and can lead to tooth decay or bad breath.

Staphylococcus hominis

These bacteria and their cousin Staphylococci, or staph, live on our skin and commonly do not create a smell until they encounter certain chemical compounds found in our sweat and are the #1 cause of body odor.

Corynebacterium spp.

This group of bacteria lives on our skin and in the environment and is said to give off a fruity aroma of apples or citrus.

Knowing how bacterium gives off a scent can come in handy when trying to combat a foul smell. This knowledge can propel your business forward into a cleaner and safer environment for your consumers as well as your employees. Odor control is a multi-faceted process that takes time and diligence but using a ready-to-use solution such as BenzaRid disinfectant, the process can be easy to address, handle and maintain. BenzaRid is the perfect disinfectant for getting rid of those harmful micro-organisms and odor-causing bacteria. This powerful solution is odor-free, leaving you breathing easy after cleaning instead of clearing out the room. Our disinfectant dries quickly on its own or can be wiped away clean without worry because there is no lingering sticky residue.

Customers that can trust a company to take care of them are more willing to spend their money with that business. An employee that sees that their employers are doing necessary precautions is also likely to become more engaged and involved with their job. Making sure that your facility is sterile, disinfected, and smells fresh will guarantee the safety of all, put forward a great impression with each visit as well as showcase your skills as an employer and attention to detail as an association. Choose BenzaRid to protect you, your employees, consumers, and the ones you hold most dear against harmful and dangerous contagions.