Comments on: help! how do i keep the air in my house fresh? http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/ where people who love their homes click Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:08:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Risottogirl http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-260823 Risottogirl Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:34:21 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-260823 Mammacita and Julia are right about catalytic alcohol lamps such as a Lampe Berger. I first used one in Paris to rid the apartment I rented of its stale smoke smells. I have several fancy* versions in my home in the US and I use them either with neutral or lavender scent. Takes care of fishy smell in short order! *by fancy I mean that they kind of go with the decor of the room :) Mammacita and Julia are right about catalytic alcohol lamps such as a Lampe Berger. I first used one in Paris to rid the apartment I rented of its stale smoke smells.
I have several fancy* versions in my home in the US and I use them either with neutral or lavender scent. Takes care of fishy smell in short order!

*by fancy I mean that they kind of go with the decor of the room :)

]]> By: Christina http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-250606 Christina Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:26:28 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-250606 The best product that I've come across is not only all natural and pet friendly but really absorbs odors out of the area is a product called Fresh Wave. It neutralizes odors as opposed to adding another layer of scent. Basements. Garages. Attics. All places prone to nose-crinkling odors. And all perfect locations for Fresh Wave Continuous Release Crystal Gel. Just open the jar and eliminate odors, it's really that simple. I think they also come in a candle form, room spray and vacuum pearls. You can check out the selection here for more information: www.weekendseveryday.com The best product that I’ve come across is not only all natural and pet friendly but really absorbs odors out of the area is a product called Fresh Wave. It neutralizes odors as opposed to adding another layer of scent. Basements. Garages. Attics. All places prone to nose-crinkling odors. And all perfect locations for Fresh Wave Continuous Release Crystal Gel. Just open the jar and eliminate odors, it’s really that simple. I think they also come in a candle form, room spray and vacuum pearls. You can check out the selection here for more information: http://www.weekendseveryday.com

]]> By: Julia http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-244735 Julia Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:21:41 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-244735 I second the Lampe Berger suggestion. It's a marvel, and there are some very attractive vessels to be had. As a matter of fact, they can be very pricey if you go for the fancier ones (say one made by Limoges), but there are affordable ones as well. There are lots of different scents, including a neutral. I second the Lampe Berger suggestion. It’s a marvel, and there are some very attractive vessels to be had. As a matter of fact, they can be very pricey if you go for the fancier ones (say one made by Limoges), but there are affordable ones as well. There are lots of different scents, including a neutral.

]]> By: Sue http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-243296 Sue Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:31:56 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-243296 I'm with the folks who caution against using the commercial, toxic chemical filled "air fresheners". Long term use of them can definitely contribute to respiratory sensitivities or allergies. A little fresh air is always good--except when it feels too cold in the winter! On the rare occasions that I cook fish or chicken, I open the windows, close the doors to other rooms, and make sure the garbage goes out right away so it doesn't have a chance to get smelly! Aromatherapy diffusers work really well--if you're worried about kids running around and sending candles or small dishes filled with hot/warm water and essential oils flying, there are electric versions of diffusers. I also make my own "air fresheners" using distilled water and a few drops of essential oils. I store mine in dark glass bottles with a pump spray and that seems to work just fine--plus you have the added advantages of no toxic chemicals and the satisfaction of having made something that is tailored to your preferences. I have one spray with lemon, eucalyptus and just a drop or two of cardamon as a general freshener when it smells a bit stale. I use another one in the the kitchen that has pine, thyme, tea-tree, eucalyptus and lemon in the blend. All of those oils have disinfectant properties so I squirt some of that aromatherapy mist in the kitchen and bathroom garbage bins and wipe them down with a paper towel before before putting in a new liner. A few drops of the oil blend straight down the sink does a great job of getting rid of sink odours. Pouring some straight lemon juice down the sink will get rid of sink odours. Likewise, some lemon juice in a cup of hot water placed in a microwave and "cooked" for a minute or so will help to remove odours from the microwave. Malea, if you have a cupboard in your bathroom that's smelling moldy or mildewy, get it seen to asap! There may actually be a problem with mold/mildew or water damage somewhere in the walls, and mold--especially the really toxic kinds--is NOT something you want to be breathing in even rarely, let alone on a regular basis. My department at work was moved into some office space that had previously had problems with mold. I don't think the problem was ever really addressed properly (as usual the employer went for the cheap, quick fix), and since we've been in the space over the last 4 years, several of us have experienced on-going and increasing problems with nasal stuffiness, dry coughs and other respiratory problems. Good luck getting that cupboard seen to! I’m with the folks who caution against using the commercial, toxic chemical filled “air fresheners”. Long term use of them can definitely contribute to respiratory sensitivities or allergies.

A little fresh air is always good–except when it feels too cold in the winter! On the rare occasions that I cook fish or chicken, I open the windows, close the doors to other rooms, and make sure the garbage goes out right away so it doesn’t have a chance to get smelly!

Aromatherapy diffusers work really well–if you’re worried about kids running around and sending candles or small dishes filled with hot/warm water and essential oils flying, there are electric versions of diffusers. I also make my own “air fresheners” using distilled water and a few drops of essential oils. I store mine in dark glass bottles with a pump spray and that seems to work just fine–plus you have the added advantages of no toxic chemicals and the satisfaction of having made something that is tailored to your preferences. I have one spray with lemon, eucalyptus and just a drop or two of cardamon as a general freshener when it smells a bit stale. I use another one in the the kitchen that has pine, thyme, tea-tree, eucalyptus and lemon in the blend. All of those oils have disinfectant properties so I squirt some of that aromatherapy mist in the kitchen and bathroom garbage bins and wipe them down with a paper towel before before putting in a new liner. A few drops of the oil blend straight down the sink does a great job of getting rid of sink odours.

Pouring some straight lemon juice down the sink will get rid of sink odours. Likewise, some lemon juice in a cup of hot water placed in a microwave and “cooked” for a minute or so will help to remove odours from the microwave.

Malea, if you have a cupboard in your bathroom that’s smelling moldy or mildewy, get it seen to asap! There may actually be a problem with mold/mildew or water damage somewhere in the walls, and mold–especially the really toxic kinds–is NOT something you want to be breathing in even rarely, let alone on a regular basis. My department at work was moved into some office space that had previously had problems with mold. I don’t think the problem was ever really addressed properly (as usual the employer went for the cheap, quick fix), and since we’ve been in the space over the last 4 years, several of us have experienced on-going and increasing problems with nasal stuffiness, dry coughs and other respiratory problems. Good luck getting that cupboard seen to!

]]> By: Holly D http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-234148 Holly D Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:45:30 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-234148 What an education. If you haven't had enough go for a PHD with this http://www.essentialaire.com/LampAire.pdf Thanks for all of this. I feel and smell so much better already! Holly D What an education.
If you haven’t had enough go for a PHD with this

http://www.essentialaire.com/LampAire.pdf

Thanks for all of this.
I feel and smell so much better already!
Holly D

]]> By: malea http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-230102 malea Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:59:51 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-230102 I have a small linen closet in my apartment's bathroom, and for some reason it's smelling moldy/mildewy-- somewhat like an old ashtray, which is weird because we don't smoke. I have taken everything out, and can't find the source. I scrubbed down the shelves and the wall, and that didn't help either. I tried spritzing with febreeze daily, which only helped for a little while. Then I got excited and tried the dish of vinegar, but then it just smelled like vinegar and cigaretts (ew!). I already burn candles and have a "wooden sticks in a bottle of liquid" air freshener-- does anyone know what to do about this, or what else might work? I have a small linen closet in my apartment’s bathroom, and for some reason it’s smelling moldy/mildewy– somewhat like an old ashtray, which is weird because we don’t smoke. I have taken everything out, and can’t find the source. I scrubbed down the shelves and the wall, and that didn’t help either. I tried spritzing with febreeze daily, which only helped for a little while. Then I got excited and tried the dish of vinegar, but then it just smelled like vinegar and cigaretts (ew!). I already burn candles and have a “wooden sticks in a bottle of liquid” air freshener– does anyone know what to do about this, or what else might work?

]]> By: Hillary http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-228418 Hillary Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:27:20 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-228418 Thanks for starting up this great discussion - very helpful! Thanks for starting up this great discussion - very helpful!

]]> By: JUDIE http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-226834 JUDIE Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:46:31 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-226834 A very old and basic smell remover is to soak a towel in white vinegar, wring it out & use it like a fan all over the room. It will even remove cigarette smoke! Repeat until odor is gone. A very old and basic smell remover is to soak a towel in white vinegar, wring it out & use it like a fan all over the room. It will even remove cigarette smoke! Repeat until odor is gone.

]]> By: TamiM http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-225999 TamiM Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:03:37 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-225999 Like Hannah's suggestion, I just put 1:1 water and vinegar in a small saucepan put in whatever spices I like although always cloves and cinnamon and usually some citrus. Let it simmer away and it'll take away all unpleasant odours. Another great option is a simple candle or electric diffuser filled with water and 8-10 dropss of eucalptus and peppermint. This is a far better idea than products that only cover up the scents with synthetic odours. Like Hannah’s suggestion, I just put 1:1 water and vinegar in a small saucepan put in whatever spices I like although always cloves and cinnamon and usually some citrus. Let it simmer away and it’ll take away all unpleasant odours. Another great option is a simple candle or electric diffuser filled with water and 8-10 dropss of eucalptus and peppermint. This is a far better idea than products that only cover up the scents with synthetic odours.

]]> By: dancing kitchen http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-225956 dancing kitchen Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:12:50 +0000 http://www.shelterrific.com/2008/01/10/help-how-do-i-keep-the-air-in-my-house-fresh/#comment-225956 I am a frugal soul and I save my orange peels and lemon ends in the freezer to add to boiling cinnamon pot. There's nothing that smells cleaner than simmering cinnamon, and a little citrus touch with a couple of cloves gives my house the smell of comfort and goodness. It is much less expensive then other methods and will freshen up my medium sized house after a egg roll, crab ragoon dinner party. I am a frugal soul and I save my orange peels and lemon ends in the freezer to add to boiling cinnamon pot. There’s nothing that smells cleaner than simmering cinnamon, and a little citrus touch with a couple of cloves gives my house the smell of comfort and goodness. It is much less expensive then other methods and will freshen up my medium sized house after a egg roll, crab ragoon dinner party.

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