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How to get rid of stale cigarette smoke smells

I am often asked how to get rid of stale cigarette smells particularity when people move into a new property.  No matter how much cleaning they do the smell just won’t go away.
Smoke smells really do hang and is a very persistent odour lasting a long time.  Part of the reason for this is the leftover resins and tars from the smoke but also because the smoke from cigarettes is composed of about 4,000 different chemicals, some in particulate form bonds which cause the stench of smoke to stick to walls, carpets, furniture,and upholstery.
No matter how muck spray you spray or air fresheners you use the smell is still there or it is only masking for a few days and then the smell comes flooding back!
Interestingly, two common household products do a fantastic job of neutralising odours and deodorising the air helping you to combat this strong persistent smell.
One being one of may favourite products white wine vinegar, which being an acid,  it is very effective at cutting through resin and tar. Just placing saucers of white vinegar around the affected items and leaving them in a sealed room overnight or for several days can really help. Alternatively mix with warm water and gently wash surfaces and windows making sure you buff dry. White wine vinegar itself has a pungent odour which not everyone likes but this will evaporate and fade quite quickly so don’t panic!
Secondly another favourite of mine Bicarbonate of  soda . Bicarb is really good with fabric and upholstery. simply sprinkle the bicarb over as much of the surface as possible and leave for several hours or even a day if possible, and then vacuum everything off. Repeat a few more times if necessary. You can even add to the bicarb a few drops of your favourite essential oil too.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of fresh air. Just leaving items in a well-ventilated room or outside in the fresh air can help enormously in removing unwanted odours.

If you are soon to be moving into a new property soon take a look at my Cleaning guide

Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

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How to Descale the Kettle

The average kettle will develop a layer of limescale at some point. But rather than scrubbing and washing your kettle using chemicals, you can clean and descale a kettle in a matter of minutes, with little to no effort at all, just by using water and natural ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen cupboards.

It’s such a simple process just follow these very simple steps

  1. Fill the kettle with water and then add in 20ml of white vinegar or lemon juice.
  2. Leave to sit for an hour
  3. Leave the solution in the kettle and boil
  4. Empty your kettle and if you have limescale the lumps will come away when pouring
  5. Fill the kettle again with cold water
  6. Boil again to rinse and then use as normal.

You can also use citric acid, just pop 20ml off the powder into the water or sliced lemon, add in 3 slices with the water.

If you have limescale/hard water build up around the spout of lid area, simple dampen some kitchen paper with white vinegar and then wrap around that area, leave to sit for 15/20 minutes, remove and wipe away.

To keep your kettle is good working order and keep the hard water away I recommend doing this once a month.



Want more simple tips then grab a copy of one of my books and I will show you how to clean your house and tidy up your life