Professional organizer Tom Nevermann gives advice on getting musty smells out of the nooks and crannies of a home.
- To remove smell from a drawer, place an unwrapped bar of soap or a small container of clean, scented cat litter in it. (Refresh the cat litter every few days.)
- To get musty odors out of a suitcase, fill it with crumpled newspapers, close suitcase and leave for a few days. Change newspaper every two to three days until odor is gone.
- Another suitcase-cleaning solution is to vacuum the inside and rub the lining with a solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and water. Test before using to avoid discoloration.
- Parched rice will eliminate musty smells and mildew from a metal cabinet or safe. Parch the dry rice by cooking it over high heat, stirring constantly until it shows scorch marks and then place the rice in a shallow pan in the musty space.
- Finish a closet by lining its floor with cedar. When the smell begins to fade, just sand the wood.
- To keep a musty smell out of closed rooms, place a pan of charcoal briquettes in the room to keep odor away. It also reduces mustiness and moisture in small spaces. Replace the briquettes every few months. You can also use them in a barbecue later.
- Musty smells come from moisture, so it's important not to keep trunks or boxes on the cement floor or against a garage wall.
Guests Tom Nevermann
Professional Organizer, aka the "Moving Doctor"
9633 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 603
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
E-mail:
tom@movingdoctor.com
Website:
www.movingdoctor.com
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