CasaSugar

How Do You Deodorize Your House?

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:29:37 -0700

Since it's So Fresh and So Clean Month, I figured I'd get down to business and ask you how you deal with one of the most crucial ways to create a fresh home: scent. Whether you have pets, cook often, smoke, or just have a sweaty housemate, you probably have encountered an unruly smell at some point. Take this poll to let me know how you defeat it.

How-To: Remove Cigarette Odor From Wood Furniture

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:45:25 -0800

TeamSugar member linb recently wrote, "I acquired two wooden end tables from a friend who smokes, and unfortunately the stench came home with the tables. I'm hoping someone knows of a miracle product or trick that I can use to get rid of the smell."

I figured there may be more of you who need to remove cigarette odor for your wood furniture (inherited or not), so I've compiled a list of suggestions to make your wood furniture smell so fresh and so clean. To hear them, read more.

Wash with solution of white vinegar and hot water, and then air dry. Vinegar is a natural odor neutralizer, so it should get rid of the smell rather than simply covering the up. If you remember, it also played a part in my two latest How-Tos.
Fill the drawers or shelves with ground coffee, baking soda, or cat litter, and leave it for several days. Then place the furniture outside to air dry. Avoid direct sunlight, it may cause it to warp.
Mix 1/4 cup of Witch Hazel and a couple of squirts of dish soap. Take a very soft piece of steel wool and gently scrub the wood. Then, dip a rag in warm water and wipe up.
Wash with a mix of Murphy's oil soap and hot water.
Since smoking actually leaves a residue on all surfaces in your home, another suggestion, although more expensive, is to have it refinished by a professional.

If you have any other suggestions or experiences with removing cigarette odor from furniture, please leave a comment below.
Source

Do You Have a Stainless Steel Trash Can?

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:49 -0700

My plastic trash can is smelling not-so-fresh these days. Although I originally scoffed at the price of this VIPP Kitchen Bin ($319), the odor-reducing quality of steel is seeming more and more valuable to me - especially considering how many pricey Diptyque candles I've bought to mask the smell of my garbage can. Then again, a good hose-down would do the trick, too. Do you have a stainless steel trash can?

Ask Casa: Decorating With a Puppy in Mind

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:34 -0700

Hi Casa,

We've just recently adopted an adorable puppy, and we're having a great time with her. The only problem is she's taken over the house! We had to move and hide anything she might eat or chew, so our living room and bookcases look empty.

Our kitchen is overwhelmed by her dog bed, and her doggy toys are scattered all over. Plus there's always that dog "smell." I know we need to just find the right system of organization and storage that will be safe for her and attractive to us, but I don't even know where to start! Any suggestions or tips?

Thanks!
Alex

To see my suggestions, read more.

Hi Alex,

As it happens, I'm pretty well-versed on this one, since my husband and I adopted a puppy back in June (that's him lounging on a friend's sofa a few months ago). It's been eight years since I dealt with a puppy, and I'd forgotten how much work it is! Here are the most helpful things that I've gleaned from my experience of living with, and decorating around, a puppy.

During the day, the puppy is crated, so I usually air out his dog bed on our deck, to keep it smelling fresh. This helps cut the doggy smell.
To organize his toys, I placed a blue tin bucket in one corner. It's actually a really cute container in itself. While Haiko, our puppy, will take his toys out (and won't return them, sigh), it's easier to just toss them all in this bucket once he's abandoned one. This keeps us from tripping over bones and balls, and also keeps the house tidier.
Try to teach your puppy to enjoy one place in common areas as her spot. You can do this by placing her bed in that area, and then rewarding her with praise and treats when she stays there. Eventually, she'll settle in that spot.
I sympathize with you and your empty bookshelves, but don't worry, your puppy will grow out of the chewing stage. I'd try replacing your books little by little. Make sure to sternly tell your pup "No!" if she tries to chew on them, and give her a Kong or bone when she approaches your books. Our puppy went through a long chewing phase, but with simple reprimands and redirecting, he's now left our books and records alone.
To cut down on the doggy smell further, air out your house by opening windows. You can also try a natural air freshener or Nature's Miracle to eliminate odors.
Since doggy smells tend to stick to upholstery, keeping your pets off of furniture will reduce doggy smells as well. If you can't bear to keep your pup off the sofa or bed, you can try laying down a fleece blanket where your puppy usually rests. Make sure to regularly wash the blanket to cut down on smells.
You might also want to look into investing in a dog bed that will fit into your decorating scheme easier. Check out these dog beds on PetSugar for more ideas.

Anyone else have a great puppy strategy? Tell Alex about it when you leave a comment.

Hope this helps!
Casa

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:00:20 -0700

Tour Kelly Wearstler's glam beach pad. - PointClickHome
5 natural ways to control odor. - Re-Nest
Fun lighting trends. - The Nest
Print on demand with Envelop. - Decor8
Try this mah jong embroidery pattern. - Craft
Tips for easy seasonal updates. - ShelterPop
4 ways to winterize your home. - Charles and Hudson

Cool Idea: A Fan That Ventilates and Warms

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:30:55 -0700

One of my least favorite things about chilly Fall mornings is stepping into a freezing bathroom to take a shower. Since I live in the Bay Area, we seldom turn on our central heating, so more often than not, the bathroom feels like an icebox.

Instead of using a space heater, I’m thinking about adding an exhaust vent fan with a heater. This will not only warm the bathroom, but also improve indoor-air quality by circulating the air and removing odors and contaminants. One fan that I’ve had my eye on is the WhisperWarm ventilation fan by Panasonic Home & Environment Company. It’s quiet, lightweight, compact, and comes with an optional light and nightlight that uses CFLs.

Looking for a simple, eco-exhaust fan that doesn't heat? Then check out the WhisperGreen Energy Star-rated fan. The WhisperGreen uses a super-efficient DC motor, and comes with variable 2-speed and delay timer controls built-in or as a single-speed fans. All WhisperGreen models exhaust fans comply with Green building IAQ standards.

How-To: Get Rid of Fabric-Eating Moths

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:00:34 -0700

If you've opened your closet and realized that your favorite cashmere sweater has holes all over it, you've probably got a moth problem. It's unlikely that the moths are attracted to just that one cardi, so there are a few steps you should take to ensure your whole wardrobe doesn't suffer the same fate. That is, unless we're talking about all those reindeer Christmas sweaters from grandma.

To learn how to kick those buggers to the curb, read more.

Clothes moths feed on wool, feathers, fur, hair, lint, paper, and even cotton, linen, silk, and some synthetic fibers. But in general, they especially crave fabrics that have been stained or soiled with food, beverages, perspiration, sweat, oil, and urine. In many cases, you can't even tell that your apparel has been stained, so you should always clean your garments before you store them.
If you've already discovered you have a moth problem, you should wash all of your clothes in the infested area in hot water and detergent or dry clean them.
When it comes time to store your out-of-season clothes, you should keep them in airtight containers such as plastic boxes and bags, metal containers, or wooden (cedar is ideal) chests.
Moths tend to develop under humidity. So, if your closet or storage space is near a bathroom or humidifier, you should ventilate the area by opening windows or using a fan.
Clothes moths also prefer darkness. So if you have an alternative place to store your apparel that is bright, consider moving your clothes. You might also leave on low-energy lightbulbs such as CFLs or LEDs to light your closet.
To capture the male clothes moths in order to stop the breeding process, use a pheromone trap in your closet.
You should also vacuum your closet thoroughly in all cracks and crevices, as well as carpeting. Use a flashlight to identify lint and hair at the baseboards, in air ducts, and corners of the room that you might not see otherwise. If you have upholstered furniture in your closet (lucky lady), make sure to vacuum it thoroughly as well.
As for moth repellants, mothballs are tried and true, but they can also be harmful to your health, and leave a strong odor on your clothes. So, you can make a sachet with these herbal mothball alternatives. Cedar chips tend to lose their effect after the wood has dried, but cedar chests, which are airtight, are often effective.

Casa Quickie: Lemon Fresh Kitchen

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

To keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh, take half of a lemon and pop it into the disposal. If you do this monthly, it'll help prevent icky odors from building up, and keep your sink, disposal, and kitchen all smelling fresh. I've found that using a lemon that's already been juiced works fine as well.

If you already have an odor issue in your disposal, try using half of a lemon followed by a handful or two of baking soda.

Casa Verde: Kelly-Moore Unveils Two Zero-VOC Paint Lines

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:00:09 -0700

Keeping your home free of hazardous chemicals just got a whole lot easier. Kelly-Moore has just unveiled two new, zero-VOC, low-odor paint lines - Enviro Coat and Green Coat - as well as 16 stock colors of its innovative recycled paint eCoat. Enviro Coat is a 100 percent acrylic interior paint which can be tinted a wide range of colors, is washable, and contains an anti-microbial agent to control odors. Green Coat is a professional interior paint which is free of air-polluting solvents, can be custom-mixed, and will be available in six stock colors starting May 1. Both paints have received the industry’s most rigorous and reputed certifications, including Green Wise, Indoor Advantage Gold, and Master Painters Institute’s Green Performance Standard, making them ideal for anyone seeking eco-friendly indoor paints. As for eCoat, the recycled paint line Kelly-Moore developed in 1995, the company has just introduced 16 ready-mixed colors for both its interior and exterior recycled paints, which are available flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss enamel. Have you used low-VOC or zero-VOC paints in your home?
Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:00:20 -0700

Find Summer home inspiration with Toast.- Style Files
Check out a Nashville rancher.- PoppyTalk
A rustic cabin gets refined.- This Old House
Banish pesky home odors.- Re-Nest
Cultivate easy container gardens.- Real Simple
This lamp has both a light and a dark side.- Shelterrific