Which method is not effective for eliminating odors from soft surfaces?

Airing out the space is often not considered an effective method for eliminating odors from soft surfaces because it primarily relies on the dilution of odor particles in the air rather than addressing the source of the odor that may be trapped within the fibers of the soft materials, such as carpets or upholstery. Odors can become embedded in soft surfaces due to spills, pets, or other contaminants, and simply increasing ventilation may not remove these deeper-set odors.

In contrast, other methods such as steam cleaning, using charcoal bags, and spraying with odor neutralizing agents are proactive techniques that can penetrate the materials and actively neutralize or remove organic particles or sources of odor. Steam cleaning can sanitize and extract contaminants, charcoal bags work through adsorption to capture odor molecules, and odor neutralizing agents are designed to chemically bind with and eliminate odors rather than leaving them to linger.