Breaking the cycle of odours: why FM could benefit from a smarter approach to cleaning

Facilities management teams are under increasing pressure to deliver environments that are not only visibly clean, but consistent, efficient, and aligned with evolving health and sustainability expectations. Yet one of the most persistent challenges, odour, continues to be managed in ways that are often reactive rather than effective.

BioHygiene’s introduction of OdourFix technology signals a shift in how this challenge can be approached, moving away from fragrance-based masking and towards biological cleaning that addresses odours at their source.

The hidden issue behind odours in managed environments

Across commercial spaces, from offices and transport hubs to healthcare and hotels, odours are rarely caused by the air itself. Instead, they originate from organic residues embedded within surfaces.

These residues, including proteins, fats and uric acid, remain even after routine cleaning. Traditional cleaning technologies are limited to surface-level action and cannot penetrate deeply enough to break down these compounds effectively.

As a result, facilities teams often face a familiar cycle. Odours return between cleans, additional fragrance is used to compensate, and re-cleans increase pressure on already stretched teams. Over time, this leads to increased chemical use, inconsistent results across sites, and operational inefficiencies.

Why fragrance-led approaches fall short

Fragrance has long been used as a signal of cleanliness, but it does not remove the underlying cause of odours. Instead, it temporarily masks them.

This approach creates further challenges. Increased reliance on fragrance contributes to higher chemical load, can impact indoor air quality, and introduces variability across multi-site operations where consistency is critical.

For facilities management providers, this inconsistency can directly affect service delivery, compliance, and client satisfaction.

A shift towards biological cleaning

OdourFix technology has been developed to address these limitations through a biological approach. Using a combination of targeted enzymes and beneficial microorganisms, it works by breaking down odour-causing organic matter at its source.

The enzymes identify residues on surfaces, while the microorganisms digest them into simpler, non-odorous compounds. Unlike traditional chemistry, which typically stops working once a surface dries, this biological activity continues for up to 72 hours after application.

This residual performance helps reduce odour rebound between cleans and supports more stable, consistent environments over time.

Designed for operational simplicity and scale

For facilities management teams, scalability and consistency are essential. OdourFix is integrated into BioHygiene’s concentrated pouch cleaning system, allowing odour control to be embedded within existing cleaning routines.

This approach removes the need for additional odour-control products and simplifies processes across sites. Accurate dosing reduces overuse, while the multiuse system helps minimise SKU complexity and training requirements.

The result is a cleaning approach that is not only more effective, but also easier to standardise across large and diverse portfolios.

Supporting indoor environments and ESG goals

With organisations spending over 90% of time indoors, and respiratory conditions affecting 1 in 5 people, indoor air quality has become an increasing priority in facilities management.

Cleaning products and fragrances can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which accumulate in indoor spaces and contribute to air quality concerns. By reducing reliance on these inputs, biological cleaning approaches such as OdourFix support healthier indoor environments.

The technology is also aligned with broader sustainability goals. Delivered through a concentrated pouch system using renewable, biodegradable ingredients, it reduces plastic use, transport impact, and overall environmental footprint. Independent certifications, including Global GreenTag PlatinumHEALTH™, provide additional assurance of performance and responsibility.

A more consistent approach to odour control

With over 30 years of biotechnology expertise, BioHygiene has developed OdourFix specifically for real-world environments, where performance, consistency, and efficiency are critical.

For facilities management professionals, the shift is clear. Moving beyond reactive, fragrance-led approaches towards biology-driven cleaning offers a more effective way to manage odours; one that supports both operational performance and long-term environmental goals.

Find out more about OdourFix here.

https://biologicalpreparations.com