Dear Heloise: Do you have any suggestions on how to keep walk-in closets smelling fresh? Friends have suggested cedar; however, I would prefer that my clothing not smell like cedar (which reminds me of a hamster cage). —A Reader in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Hmm . . . wearing clothes that smell like a hamster cage would not be too fun. First, make sure all the clothes are clean and that shoes have been aired out before storing in the closet. Now, you can try one or all of the following:
Make an air freshener, using a small jar with holes punched in the lid. Inside, place a cotton ball and add a few drops of a favorite essential oil, like lemon, lavender or orange.
Apply a perfume or cologne to a washcloth or small piece of fabric and put it in the closet. Don't let it touch any of the clothes.
Place dishes of baking soda around the closet, or you can add 3 to 4 teaspoons of a spice (cinnamon or nutmeg) to a box of baking soda.
Also, keep the door open as much as possible to let some fresh air in.
Sprinkle baking soda or a carpet deodorizer on the floor of a closet, let sit overnight and then vacuum. Baking soda is a great, cheap cleaner and deodorizer.
In fact, I have a six-page pamphlet filled with money-saving ways to use baking soda around your home.
Smelly shoes making the closet stinky? Simply sprinkle a little baking soda in the shoes and then store. When ready to wear, shake the shoes out, and they should be odor-free.
To receive a copy, please send $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (63 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.
Hope one of these methods works for you. Let us know. —Heloise
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