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When it comes to cleaning things in and around the house, dirt is easy. Smells however, can be a real problem
One of the most common odor problems in the home, is from cigarette smoke. Not only the smoke, but the odor will tend to cling to everything in a room. To reduce the smell on a regular basis, air the room every day by opening the windows, even in winter. This has the added benefits of freshening the air in your whole home, and reducing the amount of moisture that may build up indoors, from homes that are “sealed" tightly. You can also set out dishes of either white vinegar or baking soda, to help absorb the odor. A tin pie plate slipped under chairs or the couch, work great, and are out of sight.
Walls should be washed on at least a seasonal basis, to prevent staining from the smoke, and to cut down on the smell. A solution of water, ammonia, white vinegar and washing soda works really well. Make a new batch every couple of walls, and you won’t need to rinse off any residue left from washing the previous surface. If you have papered walls, check to see whether it is an older paper, or a vinyl-based material, and clean accordingly.
The carpet can be sprinkled with either baking soda or a blend of borax and corn meal, and vacuumed after an hour or so. Baking soda can also be sprinkled on furniture, left for a few hours, or overnight and vacuumed up. If you like to wash your couch and chairs one or twice a year, try a solution of dish detergent and warm water. Many rug cleaners will come with upholstery attachments to make the job easier, so you can do carpet and couch at the same time, and open the windows to air the room and help dry the furniture and floor covering.
Many of these tricks work on other odors as well, although some may need special treatment. Pet odors for instance, might not totally disappear without using a cleaner that has an enzyme base. People “accidents" on furniture, from a child who is sick or not quite potty trained, can be dealt with by cleaning with a blend of baking soda and peroxide.
Some surfaces though, are not suited to standard cleaning techniques. For example, you might think leather is easy to clean, because it doesn’t “absorb" odors. But they do cling, and it can take daily washings over several days, with water and alcohol, to remove a stubborn smell.
If your wastebaskets or garbage pails also tend to hold odors, freshen them by sprinkling baking soda in the container or bag, as well as under the bag or liner, if you use one. If there is a persistent smell already, fill the container with warm water, and add ¼- ½ cup of baking soda, and let sit overnight.
For more cleaning tips please visit us at Helpful Home Ideas.
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on Thursday, April 07, 2005 View other articles written by Helpful Home Ideas(4,096)
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