Unpleasant smells
Q:
Unpleasant smells around the home can be very off-putting, especially when you’ve tried everything to get rid of them and then you come home at the end of a long day to be greeted with that familiar old odour.
Dear Wendyl,
I own a motel and some guests recently had a big night out – meaning lots of vomit in various places. We have tried all our usual mixtures to clean the unit and eliminate the smell, which seems to hang on something awful. Suggestions please, O Wise One. It’s the smell when the door is shut that evidently comes back to haunt the new occupant.
Gael
A:
Dear Gael,
Gosh, the life of a motelier! I have several ideas for you. Vanilla essence is my top odour remover – get some natural vanilla essence, dilute it with water but keep it strong – I’d do 1 tsp to half a litre of water – and spray. Next, try 2 tbsp baking soda in 2 cups hot water and spray. If the smell is coming from one particular spot, throw a whole box of baking soda on, leave it as long as you can, then vacuum it up. Baking soda is an alkali so it is great for getting rid of acidic substances such as vomit, urine or sour milk. If that still doesn’t work you can ramp it up a bit by using 1 tbsp borax (from your chemist) in 2 cups hot water and spraying it on. All the best with that!
* Denotes a required field
The young Christchurch promotions model determined to walk again after tragically losing her legs in the February earthquake is still coping with the ongoing complications ... More
You need to know
Sign up for our newsletters and get the latest in gossip, beauty and food sent direct to your inbox... Sign up now
Over the Teacups
My four-year-old grandson was at the supermarket with his mother when he exclaimed, “You’re buying something, Mummy, auntie is buying something – I want to buy something!” Mum replied, “You have to be big, have a wife, have a job, then you can buy things.” He replied, “I have a wife – Maia,” meaning his four-year-old friend. Mum said, “What about a job?” Master Four replied, “My job is having a wife!”
Robyn, Whangarei
Water you want?
I was in the car and asking Master Three what he wanted for Christmas. He said he was going to ask Santa for a water pistol. “And Nanny,” he added, “I’m going to ask for some water for our paddling pool.” Now that could be interesting!
Julie, by email
Bee gone
Master Three had his first bee sting recently. The incident broke his heart, but after many cuddles he came right. Later he said, “I never want to see another bee again. I don’t like bees any more, I only like flies.”
Gaileen, by email
Fraud with worry
My daughter warned me that “old people are being taken for a ride,” and that I shouldn’t engage in conversation with phone sales people. To this, Master Five piped up, “Nana can’t go on that ride, she’s old.”
Joseph’s Nana, Hamilton
... More