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Hey all, I have an interesting dilemma

I'm all settled into my school, which I LOVE, and my room is awesome, with one slight prolem. It really doesn't smell all that good...just weird and musty. I think it mostly comes from the cabinets and storage spaces, but the whole room smells kind of nassty. we're not allowed to burn candles, and I haven't managed to find an air freshner that doesn't smell like a cat litter box. SO, my question for you guys is, how do I make my room smell nicer/more normal?

Noelle

By Fendergirl (Fendergirl) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 06:16 pm: Edit

open the windows, leave your door open.. in my apartment we have vanilla scented spray stuff..

By Harpgirl27 (Harpgirl27) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 06:32 pm: Edit

I always have my window open (and it's a huge window...the room is so hot most of the time too), and the door open most of the time. Doesn't seem to have helped much.

I'll try and get some spray stuff...maybe that will help.

By Geniusash (Geniusash) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 07:28 pm: Edit

The linen sprays from bath and body smell good. Also, febreeze

By Harpgirl27 (Harpgirl27) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 07:51 pm: Edit

awesome I don't think there's a bath and body in Montreal, but there may be an equivalent I can pick up

By Jenniferelaine (Jenniferelaine) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 08:13 pm: Edit

At least you don't live downwind from the campus chicken place and Steak n' Fries....dear lord.

Air Fresheners (plugins, sprays) and Febreeze.

By Aim78 (Aim78) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 03:07 am: Edit

Open the window and turn on a fan - ain't that difficult!

By Over30 (Over30) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 03:36 am: Edit

Open the doors of whatever smells and put the fan on high facing outside so it's working like an exhaust fan.

Multiple boxes of baking soda. You can get the kind for the refrigerator so you won't have a mess if they get spilled.

Put scented Bounce (dryer) sheets in your drawers, closets, cupboards, etc. This works well even if stuff doesn't smell bad.

By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 12:19 pm: Edit

Baking soda is a good idea. Also, if moisture is the problem, you can get cans of stuff at Container Store in the closet section that absorb moisture. They are called something like Moisture Rid. We used to use them in the warehouse with ballet costumes to keep them dry. I believe that the can is a dark orange or red color. After awhile, the gell absorbs enough moisture that the can contents liquify. Then you replace the cans.

By Eadad (Eadad) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 03:35 pm: Edit

Bed Bath and Beyond actually sell something specifically designed to freshen the smell of dorm rooms. Not sure if it works but saw a lot of them going out of the several BBBs that we visited.

By Takiusproteus (Takiusproteus) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 04:39 pm: Edit

Light. Plenty of it. Nice warm light. Get a strong desk lamp and shine it away while opening all windows with fans at full blast. I wouldn't recommend moisture-based solutions such as sprays and fresheners because all they do is cover up the stink. You need to kill the stink. Cook it and blow it out of there. Dry it out of existence.

The same smell is in old libraries because of the lack of light and ventilation.

By Harpgirl27 (Harpgirl27) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 04:52 pm: Edit

I got a little air freshner thing at the dollar store (I LOVE dollarama!)that seems to be working pretty well, though I'm going to try the fabric freshner idea, and I have my window/door open a lot as well.

Thanks so much everyone for the tips!

By Valpal (Valpal) on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 - 11:21 pm: Edit

Have you looked for signs of the presence of mold and mildew? Mold, in particular, can eventually prove hazardous to health. How about the presence of rodent droppings? Get a flashlight and shine it into dark and out of the way places. You might be surprised at what you find. If the above mentioned things are a problem, the room requires a thorough cleaning with disinfectants and fungicidals, followed by a thorough drying-out. Good Luck in ridding yourself of the smell.

By Harpgirl27 (Harpgirl27) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 12:17 am: Edit

haha, I'm scared to do that ;) But it's an excellent idea. After classes tomorrow I will do, because even though I've tried the airing the room out/air freshner options, it's not getting better.

By Harpgirl27 (Harpgirl27) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 07:25 am: Edit

hmmmmm, we're allowed to burn candles, maybe I should try that.

By Demingy (Demingy) on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 08:48 am: Edit

Valpal made a good point. Have you talked with housing about it yet? Maybe it is mold and mildew in which case it really is something that they should have professionally taken care of because it can become a serious health hazard.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 07:12 am: Edit

burn incense when no one's around ;)

By Harpgirl27 (Harpgirl27) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 12:31 pm: Edit

we can actually burn stuff...incence, candles, all that.

It's actually getting a little better, but I still have a couple things I want to try.

By Usunkmyb_Ship (Usunkmyb_Ship) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 07:10 pm: Edit

A lot of people here use Febreeze (sp?) but I just spray my body spray

By Qwert271 (Qwert271) on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 10:22 am: Edit

harpgirl: i have no advice for you but the quotation in your profile is hilarious.

By Buckojackson (Buckojackson) on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 11:06 pm: Edit

OP: Try Edited. Try posting on another board because you can no longer post here.
Moderator DoveofPeace