2010 February | Home Improvement Ideas

How to Eliminate Cigarette Odor from your Vehicles and Homes

Whether it’s your car, your home, or every bit of clothing, bedding and upholstery you own that reeks of old tobacco smoke, the tricks of the how to remove cigarette odor trade are fairly simple but effective, albeit hard work.

Nobody, but nobody, including smokers, loves the smell of cigarettes after the initial nicotine rush is gone. Not only is the smell all pervasive, it causes all kinds of physical symptoms, from nausea to allergies; from crinkling up your nose to outright facial spasms of disgust.

Getting rid of odor is probably easier than getting rid of stains from tobacco. There are some easy ways to clear the air, so to speak. Stains, however, are a different kind of customer – it requires a different kind of tough love to get them off your sofas, clothes, bedding and even your skin.

The homely trinity of domestic cleansing, which consists of citrus, vinegar and baking soda is the most recommended way to remove strong odors, including that of tobacco smoke. Whether you want the offensive intruder out of your home or your car interior, these three will help in a big way.

Citrus peels, or a bowl of vinegar left out in the open should take care of the odor problem, the one leaving a pleasant lemony or orangey fragrance and the other quickly dissipating, taking the bad smells along with it. Baking soda, on the other hand, is like a partner-in-time for those tough, unseemly stains that you want to get rid of. Of course, as with all cleaners, it’s best to try it out on a small part of a similar surface before you go to town with your baking soda dispenser.

There are also other surprisingly simple methods to get rid of cigarette odor. Coffee, known for its ability to eliminate practically anything that’s offensive to olfactory orifices, is great for this as well. Coffee beans or grounds strategically placed in breathable containers can work on their magic in a matter of hours, if not minutes.

Airing out your rooms or your car regularly is also a great way to keep those odors from becoming permanent house guests. This may not be the best solution, but every bit helps. Besides, letting in some fresh air never killed anyone – except when there’s sub-zero temperature just outside the window.

Sunning your stuff is another cheapskate – sorry, cost-effective – way of getting rid of malodorous cigarette smoke settlers from your couch or clothes. The sun is a natural repellent of bedbugs and other creepy crawlies as well, so you’d be getting a twofer.

Finally, if you really want to know the most pre-emptive method of how to Eliminate Cigarette Odor from your car or home, don’t smoke there in the first place. Better yet, don’t smoke at all. You’d be doing your lungs and your wallet a big favor.

How To Install A Stainless Steel Sink

Installing a sink can be a major facelift to any kitchen, and can be a viable alternative to complete remodeling. Whether you’re putting in a sink on a fresh countertop or replacing an old sink, the look and feel of brand new gleaming stainless steel is enough to enhance the image of any ordinary kitchen.

If you’re replacing an old sink, the process is simpler. You just need to make sure that the new one is of the same size or larger than the old one. A new sink the same size poses no major challenge, as the fixings is already in place.

All you need to do is to undo or remove mounting clips or anchors under the sink, and use a sealant removing technique that’s recommended, such as using a craft knife blade to slice through and lift off the old sealant. Once this is done, you can remove residual sealant by scraping it off with the same blade. Once you’re able to lift the old sink off without too much trouble, smooth any rough edges on the hole in the countertop and clean thoroughly.

On the other hand, if you’re installing one on the fresh countertop, use the template to mark the cut, drill a hole at each corner of the marking, and then use a jigsaw to completely cut away the countertop. Double-check your measurements, using the carpenter’s wisdom of measuring twice and cutting once. Any error at this stage could be disastrous. If you’ve done this part right, you should now have a gaping hole in your countertop the size of your new sink.

Now apply sealant, usually of the silicone type, to the edges of the new sink. A proper application at this stage will make sure that the edges are sealed tight and water-proof. Gently place the sink into the opening and lower it into position. An extra pair of hands under the sink at this point will be a very wise choice if you can manage it. Without touching the sealant, position the sink precisely and carefully.

Once this is done, engage the mounting clips and screw them in tight. Wipe off any sealant that may have been pushed through the edge. Your sink will be ready once the sealant has had a chance to set properly. Be careful not to move the sink accidentally when this is happening – it will compromise the integrity of the sealant.

Before you install the plumbing under the sink, be sure to check that the sink is indeed watertight. Pouring a glass of water along the sink’s edge, and then using a dry paper towel underneath is a good test. Once you are confident, you can add a garbage disposer, a P-trap, and anything else that’s required for the sink to become functional.