Friday, September 22, 2017

How to Deodorize a Stinky House

Dear Friends,

When we moved into our new home, the combination of paint fumes (it had just been painted) and Heaven knows what, made me feel like I was suffocating, and I had to keep going outside just to get fresh air. The carpets had dog hair on them, so obviously had not been shampooed before we moved in, and we were already in before we realized this.

(Ginger the cat agrees that it was a little malodorous!)


We have finally gotten it to smell only faintly bad (when you're in a room with carpet), and I thought I would share with you some of the things I did, in case you need help deodorizing your own living space.

Firstly, I kept the windows open constantly (we had to go buy adjustable screens at the hardware store, since none of the windows had screens), and had fans facing outward, going all night and day. There are no screen doors, or I would have had them open as well. We bought deodorizing volcanic stones, deodorizing gels, LOTS of baking soda, peppermint and orange essential oil (to mix in the baking soda for the carpets), and a big box of Nag Champa incense. We bought a good used vacuum cleaner off of Craigslist and used it over and over again on every carpet.

(Hyrum approves of fresh-smelling homes)


After a few days of diligent use, the bad odors started to disappear. This was relatively inexpensive, and now I am not sick in my own home! Once our budget has recovered from the move, we will be purchasing a high-quality air purifier as well (which I highly recommend for everyone, since inside air is much more polluted than outside) to remove any allergens like mold and pet dander.

I hope that this information has been useful to you. Remember when burning incense, to keep it away from smoke detectors and children!

Love,

Marqueta

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Home Sweet Home


Dear Friends,

We are finally feeling somewhat settled in here in our new home, hanging up all of our beloved artwork and wall hangings, to make it more "homey" (and to cover the cracks in the walls).

We have been getting to know the nature in our yard, raising up a new batch of Monarch caterpillars from milkweed vines in the lawn, and discovering that Rose of Sharon seeds taste like fava beans. They're quite time-consuming to harvest, though!


Our cat Ginger has made a new "friend" in the neighborhood, who thinks that he belongs here now.


 We've named him "Puff," after the Dick and Jane kitten.


I hope that you have been enjoying your September. We keep our friends in the hurricane areas in our prayers, as well as those out West experiencing fires.

Love,

Marqueta
"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."