Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

djjunk

As the above MSE have mentioned, I would too use bicarbonate of soda but I would add an essential oil like Tea tree as it is not too expensive and for bedroom carpets lavender or eucalyptus oil.

Eenymeeny

You could try leaving a stack of newspapers in your car for a few days. (after drying it as much as possible.) The newsprint absorbs the damp and smell. Useful after a child has been sick in your car....:(

Eenymeeny

Mistral001 wrote: »

I do this sometimes. Good to know I am not the only one!


Related to this but maybe a bit off-topic, it was brought to my attention a while back that it is considered rude not to fill the kettle after you use it so that it is ready for the next person using the kettle. Has anybody heard of this one? I think it is common in workplace tea break rooms, but I am not sure how common. If it is common then I must be considered a bit rude in some of my past workplaces - I am self-employed now BTW.

I was always told that the cold water absorbs the residual heat in the kettle element thus saving electricity for the next use. Maybe it's a myth, but it's a habit now...:o:)

Wombatchops

Thank you everyone for all of your tips. I'm a long-time lurker and have seen all of your useful tips for all sorts of problems, so I guessed you'd all be able to help. I'll give them a go and hopefully my car will be nice, dry and fresh again.

Mistral001

Eenymeeny wrote: »

I was always told that the cold water absorbs the residual heat in the kettle element thus saving electricity for the next use. Maybe it's a myth, but it's a habit now...:o:)

I had not thought of that one. It (that is filling up the kettle with cold water after using water from it) could go back to the days where most households had ranges which were lit all day and there was always a kettle of water on them almost ready to use for a cup of tea if a neighbour popped in.

Imbroglio

I've been stretching out cat litter a bit further by supplementing it with paper from the shredder

Imbroglio

I noticed on the older thread about people melting old candle ends to make a new candle. If you do this in a pretty jar it makes a lovely gift, especially if you tie some ribbon or lace around it. Another thing I like to do is to pour the melted wax in over roughly crushed ice. Once the ice melts you're left with a nice crackled effect in the wax and you get a bigger looking candle (or a matching pair)

Shazzadouglas

Wombatchops wrote: »

Does anyone have a sneaky cheap way of getting rid of smells from the carpet on cars? The door seal on my car has gone funny, and with the recent rain, my car got soaked. It now smells of damp, and I want to get rid of it. Although I will say that, given a lot of people's misfortunes with the recent bad weather, I know I should count my blessings that this has been the only rain-related mishap that I have incurred.

I've had the same problem with my car boot and a leaking seal. The smell was awful and thankfully we had a couple of nice sunny days so after trying car carpet shampoo (didn't work) I took the boot carpet out and literally covered it in bicarbonate of soda for 2 days, rubbed it well in and then hoovered it off. The worst of the smell had gone so I refitted it back into the boot, febreezed it and put in an air freshner too for good measure.

That was a few weeks ago but I've since noticed a slight smell back again so I'll need to recheck to see if there is any more water leaking back in and if not the first decent day I get I'm going to try some shake and vac on the carpet.

Hope you get it sorted, the smell is just awful ☺️

Shaz x

Primrose

Shazzadouglas's solution is as good as any, apart from being able to leave your car windows open for extended periods to give it a thoroughly good airing if you have a safe place to leave it in good weather where nothing can be stolen from it. If you car is kept overnight in a garage, try leaving the windows open too, which will help too.

[Deleted User]

you can try one of those 'moisture traps' from Poundland-type shops or Ebay for damp areas - we keep one in the wardrobes & bedroom window sill to keep condensation down - but we refill them every other month or as needed from a big bag of calcium carbonate crystals (kept sealed in the airing cupboard) Find it very effective and cheaper than buying new damp traps!

REFILLS - http://www.wilko.com/insulation/kilrock-moisture-trap-refill-1kg/invt/0135524 (lasts for ages)