Dear Home Ec 101,

My spouse, it’s not me, no never me, has a bad habit of leaving his dirty plastic containers in the back of his car. I have to tell you, they are FUNKY. How do I remove the bad odor?

Signed,

Smelly in Smyrna

Heather says:

I feel your pain.

First let’s talk prevention. What I have done is convinced my husband that the first rinse out is HIS problem. I was pretty sensitive to smells during all three of my pregnancies; after losing my lunch a couple of times I flat out refused to be the one to crack the seal. Once he was hit with the funk a few times he began rinsing out the containers at work. With few exceptions -road crews being one I can think of- most people have access to running water on the job. Ask your spouse to rinse out the container before packing it to take home.

Once a plastic container has a bad smell, the cure is simple and Tupperware fans swear by it. First, wash it thoroughly in the hottest soapy water you can stand this will help get rid of any oils that may be part of the problem. Dry the container well, then crumple some newspaper, place it inside and close the lid tightly. Let the sealed container sit for a day or two, then discard the newspaper and give it a sniff. If the odor is gone, wonderful just wash it before reusing it. Otherwise, wash it with a diluted bleach solution and repeat the newspaper trick.

If you have it on hand, activated charcoal may work better than plain old newspaper. I never have it on hand, so I don’t really see it as an option.

Good luck!

Dear Home Ec 101,

I recently purchased a sofa and loveseat from a lovely couple who listed the furniture on a popular online auction site.  The set appeared to be in great shape, and I got the furniture for what appeared to be a bargain.  When I got them in place in my basement rec room, I noticed a horrible odor of cigarette smoke emanating from both pieces of furniture.  They are upholstered pieces with foam cushions.  Do you have any idea how I can get rid of the cigarette smell?

Fondly and Fetidly,

Smokey Lonesome in Couchville

Ivy says:

Cigarette smoke is one of the most devilish odors ever. I remember when I bought my new house and issued the edict that there would be no smoking in the new house for any reason, my grandmother (who wasn’t even a smoker) thought I was being snotty. “I’m not being snotty,” I told her, “I’m protecting my investment.”

The funny thing is, cigarette smoke is about a million times easier to get out of walls, than it is to get out of couches. You can pile Kilz on the walls, but you can’t Kilz a couch, sadly. With a couch, it’s going to take some work.

If you have a carpet and upholstery cleaner, good deal. Use it to clean the couch with a mixture of about half vinegar and half water. You may have to do this several times to get the full effect. Using a nice smelling cleaner (preferably one that’s meant for kid and pet odors, which seems to work fairly well) between each vinegar cleaning will keep your couch from smelling like “feminine cleansing products.”

If you don’t have one, my suggestion is to have it professionally cleaned. Normally, I’d have you rent a Rug Doctor to clean something, but cigarette smoke is so hard to remove, you’d have to rent it so many times, it would be cheaper to get it done professionally. Make sure you get a company that has “satisfaction guaranteed” so if it’s not completely clean, you can call them and have them come back out to do the job again. But make sure you let the company know when you first have them out that you are trying to remove cigarette smoke smell so they can use the best products for the job.

Happy couch surfing!

Howdy, ladies!

I checked the archives and found the cure for musty towels and musty jeans, but have you got any advice on de-musting things that can’t be washed?

We’ve inherited some German Christmas decorations from my husband’s family, some of which are handmade dolls constructed of fabric and other textily goodness. I adore them, but after years of being in basements and garages, they smell incredibly musty.

Any ideas on how to de-stink without hurting them? I’ve managed to not dip them in Febreze, but the urge is strong.

Signed,

Musty in Mustyboro

Ivy says:

Good choice, on not dousing them in Febreze. Items like these you don’t want to get wet, as the wetness could damage them. In this case, you are going to want to clean them in a dry fashion.

Find the smallest plastic bag that will hold your items (if they’re really large, a garbage bag will work). Put them in the bag with a mixture of half baking soda and half cornstarch. Close the bag tightly and give it a good shake. Let it sit for a couple of days and take them out and brush off or gently vacuum off all the cornstarch and baking soda. The mixture should have absorbed the smell. If the item has a lot of nooks and crannies canned air may be quite handy.

Chances are, they’ll never smell like roses, but this will take the worst of the stink away.

Got a household question of your own? Email us at helpme@home-ec101.com

Dear Home Ec 101,

I live in an apartment, and my kitchen is open to the living room like in most apartments. The house always has a remnant cooking smell even when I keep all the doors and windows open. My carpet, couch and everything smell. It is a little embarassing when i have company. Air refresheners don’t seem to solve my problem either.
Please help!!!!

Signed,

Apartment Dweller

Ivy says:

I also live in a house where the kitchen is open to the living room, so I understand where you’re coming from. I have several suggestions, a combination of some or all of these might solve your problem. First, I’m sure you already are, but just in case- if you’re not using the range hood fan whenever you cook something on your stovetop, make sure you always use that. It makes a big difference.

What you want to do is try to neutralize the smell. I’d start with renting a floor/uphostery cleaner and giving the carpet and upholstery a good cleaning. I like to use Kids N Pets whenever I’m using one of those. It does a good job of neutralizing smells. Between cleanings, Febreze Fabric Refresher is good for keeping things smelling nice.

When cleaning, don’t forget to wipe down your walls, windows, and blinds. Walls especially can harbor smells. If you have flat paint, you will not be able to wash your walls, but if you have any other finish, you can actually wash them.

When you’re having company over, you can use a simple boiling pot with cinnamon in it to make the house smell fabulous. The cinnamon sticks work the best, but ground cinnamon works as well. Or, you can just use some awesomely smelly candles, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Well, Home Eccers, did I forget anything?

Dear Home Ec 101,

Hi. I have a dilemma with my dishes. Whenever I cook or use a strong smelling condiment, my dishes always pick up the smell I can never get the odor out.  A small dab of bleach in the water was suggested but after trying this my stepson told me the dishes just smell like bleach plus the food smell. I have heavy duty cleaning gloves so I tried washing in very hot water with soap but that didn’t work at all. I tried baking soda but with no luck. Please help! I am tired of smelling peanut butter, cooking oil, and dinner every time I get a glass of juice or water!

Signed,

What are they feeding you?

Heather says:

Oh smelly dish, it’s not your fault.

Well, it might actually have been the reader’s fault, but here are a few suggestions she can use to eliminate the odor on her dinnerware. I asked our reader what kind of dishes were causing the problem and called World Kitchen, LLC where I was assisted by the ever lovely Melissa who had several suggestions.  Funnily enough they were consistent with Ivy and I’s usual advice for dealing with many household odor problems: vinegar and water or Bar Keeper’s Friend.

Fill your sink with hot water and vinegar. Next allow your dishes to soak briefly, scrub well, rinse thoroughly, and dry immediately. If the food odors remain, try wetting the dishes and briefly scrubbing with Bar Keepers Friend, then rinsing thoroughly.

If you have stoneware, it is important to never allow the dishes to soak for long. There is a porous portion on the bottom of some pieces that can absorb water which may allow bacteria to grow.  While this is not our reader’s issue, it is an important one to note.  In these cases use a paste of Bar Keeper’s Friend or Zud on the porous ring, scrub, rinse well, and allow the dishes to dry thoroughly.

For those of you whose dishes aren’t stinky, here are a few tips to keep them food odor free.  Before hand washing, be sure as much food as possible has been scraped from the dishes.  The more food that comes in contact with the dishwater the faster the soap will break down.  Without soap, oils that carry odor can cling to the dishware.  Wash your dishes in this order: glasses, silverware, dishes, cookware. Experiment with the amount of soap used until you find the amount that is frugal yet effective.  Too little soap may cause dishes to need a second wash, eliminating any savings.

Finally, harsh detergents may etch glassware.  This can cause tiny scratches that may get filled with mineral deposits.  Etching can cause glassware and some dishware to retain an odor.  The folks at World Kitchen, LLC advise against using both gel and powder pack formulas.

Good luck!

Submit your questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.

Dear Home Ec 101:

I recently purchased some used (softside, Samsonite) luggage, which it like new, but has apparently been stored in a closet.  It is dusty and I’d like to know the best way to clean it.

~ It’s in the Bag

Heather says:

I checked the manufacturer’s website and mild soap and water are recommended for routine cleaning while products such as Spray and Wash may be used for spots and stains.

If the luggage is filthy you may want to try a foam cleaner such as the type used for car upholstery.  You can typically find this in the automotive section.

For odors spray with a weak vinegar solution but be sure to allow the luggage to dry thoroughly, as in several days, before storing.  If you don’t let it dry thoroughly you’ll need to repeat this step and follow the next, as well.  Mildew funk will not endear you to your travelling companions.

Finally, if there is an odor in the suitcase, try using activated charcoal to adsorb the odor.

Good luck and happy trails.

Dear Home-Ec 101,

I have this nasty smell in my bathroom. It is very hard for me to describe, but I’m OCD and it is driving me nuts. I think I have it pinpointed to the shower stall. I have totally scrubbed it however, I’m very anal about cleaning so it was already clean. I had my boyfriend look in the drain for hair clogs, but still no luck. I poured bleach down the drain and it still smells. It is so bad, I worry that everyone can smell it! I noticed it is very bad right after we shower, too. Do you have any idea what this is and how to get rid of it? We are very clean people, I dont get it. I’m totally freaking out, and I lay in bed at night obsessing over it, haha. Then I sniff it and think about it even more.

Please help me!

Signed,

Desperate in Dayton

Ivy says:

Man, I hate when you just cannot figure something out. I have some suggestions that might work. It sounds like you either have something really funky in your drain somewhere, or have mold behind the shower stall. If it’s a sewagey smell, it might be your drain. If it’s a rotting, moldy smell, my money’s on the mold.

If it’s a drain problem, first I would try flushing the drain with boiling water. Do NOT use boiling water if you have anything other than fiberglass with PVC piping. My next step would be sprinkling baking soda down the drain and then adding white vinegar.  Allow it to fizz, it may break up an unseen clog, flush with water when finished.  As  last resort I would try Draino, in case something is stuck in the drain.

If all else fails, it may be mold or mildew, especially if you don’t have an exhaust fan or any other type of ventilation in your bathroom. In that case, I’d try a product called Damp Rid. I’ve not used it, but Heather and I have heard good things about it.

Send your domestic questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.

Dear Home Ec 101:

Have you any idea how to get the smell of smoke and sweat out of car upholstery without making the entire vehicle reek of Febreze? Too much Febreze gives me a massive headache, although I’d almost prefer that over the reek of man sweat in my new (to me) car.

~Longing to be Smokeless in Smyrna

Heather Says:

Something tells me you’re a newly converted non-smoker, congratulations! Three things will help rid your car of its stank. The best part is none of these methods will be covering up the problem with a chemical odor.

1) Shampoo the carpet and upholstery. You can typically rent a RugDoctor type machine from most supermarkets and hardware stores. I would do this on a day where it’s unlikely to rain. The windows should be left down for at least a few hours to allow the carpets to dry and avoid any potential for a mildew.

2) Place a bowl of vinegar in the car over night. Vinegar is great at removing problem odors, although I might recommend driving with the windows cracked so you don’t arrive at work smelling like you’ve been dyeing Easter eggs.

3 ) Leave the windows down as often as possible. Fresh air is will help dissipate any lingering odors.

Enjoy your new (to you) car!

(photo credit clarita)

Dear Home-Ec 101,

Why is cleaning out cat boxes such an ordeal? How can I make my cat’s litter box smell better if I’m a little bit remiss about getting them scooped every day? What about the Litter Maid? Does that actually work?

Signed,

Scoopless in Saratoga

Ivy says:

Man, do I ever feel your pain. There is nothing in this whole world I hate more than scooping kitty litter boxes, except having my entire house smell like a kitty litter box, so I scoop, scoop, scoop.

When I was pregnant and was not able to scoop the catboxes due to the possibility of toxoplasmosis, I broke down and bought a Litter Maid. I can tell you with no uncertain terms that it was a total waste of money. When it actually did work, it didn’t do a very good job and I was constantly having to clean the rake thingy, and it quit working altogether after a few months. I used only the recommended brands of cat litter, and followed all their recommendations and it still sucked. Plus, one of my cats was totally afraid of the Litter Maid, so I had to keep another box around for him anyway.

The very best way to keep your cat boxes clean and sparkly is to scoop morning and night, use a great brand of cat litter and sprinkle baking soda in the box every morning. If you do this, you will never have a problem with odor in your cat boxes.

However, we can’t always be perfect about getting the cat boxes scooped. After all, we have about 8 billion other things we need to be doing rather than scooping cat boxes. So if you’re a little lazy about cleaning out the cat boxes, here are a few more tips:

• Use a VERY good clumping cat litter. I’ve tried about 8 billion brands and my 2 favorites are Arm & Hammer Multi Cat and Tidy Cat Small Spaces.
• Make sure you have at least one cat box per cat owned. Also, if you have an upstairs and a downstairs, have at least one cat box per level.
• The cheapest method of controlling cat box odor is baking soda in the boxes. Arm and Hammer and Tidy cats make cat box deodorizers, but baking soda is just as effective and is a heck of a lot cheaper.
• Do not use a covered cat box. If you use an uncovered cat box, your nose will definitely remind you of when it is time to dump the cat boxes.
• Dump cat boxes entirely every single week. I dump mine on trash day so my dumpster doesn’t get too stinky.

Sometimes I’m surprised that I am a veritable font of information having to do with cat poop.

Submit your household questions to helpme@home-ec101.com.

Dear Home Ec Gurus,

My husband and I have been house hunting lately and tonight we think we have found The One. There’s only one little problem with our dream home: it smells a bit of moth balls. I’m hoping that most of the stench is attached to the current owners’ furniture, but some of the smell has certainly transfered to the walls and floors of the house. So what is a gal to do? I’ve heard about ways to remove the toxic stench of moth balls from clothes, but what about an entire home?

Nervous in North Cackalacky

Heather says:

Nothing says welcome home like the chemical stench of 1, 4-dichlorobenzene.  That’s nerdspeak for the chemical in mothballs.  The good news is ridding your dream home of the smell should be relatively easy.  It may be as simple as placing newspaper and coffee grounds in the closets and shutting the doors overnight; both the paper and grounds readily absorb odors.  This trick may need to be repeated several times.

If the first method is ineffective consider sealing the drywall with with a coat of primer such as Zinsser or Kilz followed by the paint of your choice.  Be sure to provide adequate ventilation while painting and until odor has dissipated.  You don’t want to replace one chemical odor with another.

Best of luck!