Q Reader’s Odor Question
“Sooo…. I’m in college and work at a medicinal marijuana distribution facility. I am very straight edge, and my friends, family and roommates have no idea of this part of my life. I’d like to keep it this way! My problem is that my schooling backpack continually smells of a fresh weed odor. Last night, my roommate Jordy actually asked me if I had been around an area of a skunk spray. I worry that they will soon find out about this additional income source if I don’t take measures to prevent it from happening. Can you help me? Many Thanks! – Kevin”
A Smell Removal Answers
1 White Vinegar Wash Cycle
As a preliminary step, you will want to work to deodorize the backpack to eliminate any musty weed odors. You can accomplish this by adding an deodorizing boost to your normal detergent washing machine cycle of the backpack. Once you have checked to see if your backpack is machine washable, you will want to place the machine settings accordingly, and proceed to add in a additional cup of white vinegar within the cycle. Once completed, hang the backpack outside to air dry rather than opting for the drying machine. This will help to avoid unwanted shrinkage and will help to lift away any additional odors.
2 Baking Soda Detergent Boost
If you do not have white vinegar, baking soda can work well as a deodorizing alternative. Measure one cup of baking soda and add it within a normal wash cycle along with normal washing machine detergent. The baking soda will work to absorb some of the deep weed odors within the fiber and leave it smelling fresh. Similar to white vinegar, you will want to hang to backpack outside to naturally air dry rather than using the drying machine.
3 Vodka Spray
If you are on the go, spraying your backpack down with vodka can be highly effective at cutting through many of the odors. The high alcohol content neutralizes many weed odors on contact and works to dry away odorously. Pour a small amount of vodka within a spray bottle and proceed to spray down your backpack. Once you have sprayed down the entire backpack, put the backpack in the sun to allow the alcohol to quickly evaporate and lift much of the unwanted aroma away.
4 Deodorizing Product Spray
As another fast solution, the use of a store bought deodorizing product can work well at covering up the odor within the short term. Whether it is Glade or Febreze, will need to give the backpack a thorough spray down and place it within the sun to quickly evaporate. In many circumstances, this will be sufficient to properly cover the scent of weed.
5 Trash Bag the Backpack
As a preventative solution, you may want to consider always having a trash bag within your backpack. Any time that you anticipate being around weed, simply place the backpack within the enclosed trash bag. This will ensure that no weedy residues will make their way within the canvas material.
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Photo credit: Chuck Coker
Stagnant water within the Christmas tree stand is usually the source of the odor. It can take as little as 5-7 days for a smell to develop within this water, so it is especially important that it gets poured out and replaced on a weekly basis. Though the stench may smell of cat urine, this similar sharp aroma is normally the cause.
Often, the smell of cat urine is the direct result of cat or other tree dwelling animal’s urine. In such cases, the Christmas tree can be taken outside and given a heavy spray with the garden hose to wash the ammonia-based odor away. Once complete, place the erect tree within a location of the yard where it will receive a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. Once the Christmas tree has completely dried off, it can be taken back within the home and placed within the stand.
As a final solution, the Christmas tree can be placed erect outside within direct sunlight until the odor dissipates. Similarly, you will want the tree to be in a location within the yard where it will be sure to receive a minimum of 8 hours of direct sunlight. The ultraviolet rays, open space and fresh air will all work to naturally lift away any unwelcome odors. If this solution has not been effective after one day, try leaving the tree outside for two or even three days until the smell is gone.
You will want to change the the wood chip bedding every 5-7 days. Build up of hamster waste and urine and water bottle related mildew can quickly lead to an unwanted hamster funk. Failure to change the wood chip bedding is often the most frequent cause of smells developing and can cause the entire room to smell.
Simply spraying a cage is often insufficient in removing the odorous grime that accumulates throughout a cage. Using white vinegar will employ a powerful household acid to cut through any smelly residues to leave the cage smelling fresh. Mix a solution of white vinegar and water in equal parts within a bowl and proceed to dunk an old sponge within the formula. Proceed to scrub down all areas of the cage and spray all the residues away with the hose. Then finish placing the parts outside within direct sunlight to deodorize and dry off.
Though white vinegar is very effective, the use of an enzyme cleaning solution can have an even stronger impact. Pour enzyme cleaning solution within a bowl and dunk an old sponge within the product formula. Similarly, carry on with scrubbing down all areas of the cage, spraying residues off with a hose and placing the parts within the sun to dry out.
If smells still remain after performing the above steps, you can proceed to throw out all of the temporary toys that have become soiled within the cage. Often, these toys con within the form of old paper towel rolls and scraps of cardboard. These types of material are difficult to deodorize and are best thrown out.
If you are not in a rush, several activated charcoal briquettes can be placed over the affected area within the drawer. For safety reasons, you will need to proceed to place activated charcoal briquettes first within an old pair of nylon leggings. This will help to maintain a barrier between the charcoal and the drawer to prevent any unwanted staining. Allow the activated charcoal to rest in place for 4-7 days while the absorbent materials works to suck in the unwanted aroma.
This solution works fantastically at cutting through rotten residues and sterilizing surfaces. Moisten the a rag with rubbing alcohol and give the area where the shrimp had be resting a thorough wipe down. Afterwards, provide 10-15 minutes for the any alcohol residues to evaporate away.
This natural oil can work well in cutting through the stink of a rotten prawn through the chemical effects of citric acid. Moisten a hand towel with lemon oil and proceed to wipe down the affected area within the drawer. Leave drawer open for the lemon oil to aerate. Upon completion, the stench of prawn should be wiped out to be replaced by the welcoming scent of citrus fruit. 
Bath wipes can be used to clean and deodorize a cat when bathing it within soapy water is out of the question. As an additional benefit, cats often prefer bath wipes because they feel as though they are receiving a massage during its application.
In addition to bath wipes, deodorizing cat product sprays can be helpful in neutralizing cigarette odors within a cat’s fur. These types of cleaning solutions are advantagious because they can deliver a deodorizing effect after only a few brief sprays. However, cats will almost always be adverse to direct sprays, so it may be a good idea to team up with a second person to hold the cat in place while you perform this function. 
This product solution comes out as foam and can be worked within the cat’s fur with your hands. Initially, most cats will not feel the moisture and will not be adverse to the shampoo’s application. For best results, first spray the deodorizing foam within your hands rather than applying the foam directly on the cat. This will help to minimize any shock within the cat during the cleaning process.
As a final solution, small quantities of baking soda can be used to absorb cigarette odors within your cat’s fur. Mix a solution of one part baking soda with eight parts water within a small bowl. Proceed to dip a cloth within this mixture and lightly apply it to your cat. It is important not to apply too much of this formula, as large amounts of baking soda can result in adverse health problems if indigested by your cat. As a rule of thumb, keep this solution as light as possible while applying it within your cat’s fur.