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From: CodyGramma
Date: 05-05-2005, 01:50 PM (1 of 12)
I have a couple sites bookmarked for tips on cleaning etc. and when I went into my basement to get stuff for my camper out of storage ...alot of it has that basement musty mildewy smell in it  and I've hung it on the line and washed it (some of it twice!) and I can still smell it!! Well, I checked those sites I mentioned and they suggested putting 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in opposite corners of the basement to get rid of the odor down there, so....well, I'm wondering ..would it work to put some vinegar in my wash water then? Has anyone every heard of this or tried it?? And about how much should I use do ya think?
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User: CodyGramma
Member since: 04-22-2005 Total posts: 133 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 05-05-2005, 02:02 PM (2 of 12)
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I remember as a kid when my mom would get our camping stuff out of the basement it would smell. I don't remember what she did to get rid of the smell but reading your post bought the memories back. Good luck in finding a solution. I don't think putting vinegar in the wash would hurt it. Maybe try a 1/2 cup and see if it works.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: Saydee
Date: 05-05-2005, 05:27 PM (3 of 12)
| I haven't heard of the vinegar method but I have heard vanilla essence is good for this type of problem. Painters use it to take the smell out of the room. Also put it in the wash but make sure it is the pure vanilla essence. I am not sure if it works or not but it won't hurt to try both and see how you go. |
User: Saydee
Member since: 05-07-2004 Total posts: 68 
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From: carman
Date: 05-05-2005, 05:33 PM (4 of 12)
| there is also some stuff out there that is sponge like and you put it in a room and it absorbs the oder, can't for the life of me remember what is right now. |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 05-05-2005, 09:44 PM (5 of 12)
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Yeah they sell those plastic containers of 'odor rid'.....hhmmm....you might also try cedar....washing in soda and vinegar (I'd watch the vanilla stuff, if you try regular flavoring it'll stain...get the kind from soap/candle making stores...ie. Michaels) Charcoal might work...(it does in a fridge) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-05-2005, 11:59 PM (6 of 12)
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I often use white vinegar to remove odors and stains from clothing. If I am using one of the new washers, I put it in the bleach dispenser, otherwise I just add it to the wash water. It works very well and doesn't mess up septic systems.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: my2girlies
Date: 05-06-2005, 10:50 AM (7 of 12)
I have used white vinegar,too. But never in the wash - only by hand. There is a product either by febreeze or bounce (or something close to it) that is in the laundry aisle that is specifically for odor removal. My DD's played banana fooseball at church (too gross, don't ask) and left their clothes in DD's trunk for 4 days.  I soaked the clothes in vinegar water and then washed with a double dose of the odor remover and voila - good as new.
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User: my2girlies
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 154 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-06-2005, 11:01 AM (8 of 12)
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Warning: If you happen to have birds, they can die from exposure to Febreeze. It is a wonderful product, but like the canaries in the mine who died when the quality of air started becoming dangerous, Febreeze has an adverse effect on them. There are several things that do this, the gases from overheated Teflon, even the vapors from self-cleaning ovens (had a friend who instantly lost 67 full-size parrots from this) and some cleaning products, can kill them if they are overexposed.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 05-06-2005, 01:04 PM (9 of 12)
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Good point Pam. Most people don't stop to think what effect chemical cleaning agents, etc. have on their pets. MY oldest sister used the Carpet Fresh for pets stuff in her carpets and her poor little Shidzu (sp?) got it in his pores and they had a terrible time with him. He lost a lot of his hair, especially on his tail and had a skin rash for months that he had to be treated for. My little dog sneezes when I light perfumed candles, spray hair spray, etc. We are in getting ready to install wood laiminate flooring in our house because everytime we shampoo carpets, she gets sore places on her tummy where she scratches from laying on the shampooed carpets. We've tried having them dry cleaned, shampooed, steam cleaned, etc., and she still ends up with the sore places so we've decided to do away with carpeting all together and go strictly with the wood laiminate flooring. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: natred2
Date: 05-06-2005, 05:28 PM (10 of 12)
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My mom always set the camping gear up in the back yard for a couple of days to get rid of the musty smell. Sunshine seemed to work great for that.
Don't be so open minded your brains fall out.
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User: natred2
Member since: 04-09-2005 Total posts: 81 
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From: paroper
Date: 05-06-2005, 07:18 PM (11 of 12)
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Excellent point too. Sunlight sterilizes "things".
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: mamadus
Date: 05-12-2005, 02:22 AM (12 of 12)
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you might try putting a box of baking soda in each corner of your basement to keep away the moldy, musty, mildewy smell... just my 2 cents... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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