I love the smell of a campfire mixed with the scent of pine trees on a warm summer night. But stale cigarette smoke odor in a car or the smell of a house fire that happened a long time ago? That's different and not at all pleasant.
Last week, the following message showed up in my inbox.
Dear Mary: Help! I have a chance to go back home — to the home I grew up in. The house has had a fire, so there is smoke damage. Can you recommend something we could use to get the smoke smell out?
We are tearing all the damaged wood from the home but still have the smoke odor. I'm curious to know if Nok-Out, the product that you talk about often, would work to eliminate that odor. I appreciate your column and enjoy reading it each day. I love, love the tips and use them often. Thanks again. You have been a blessing to my life in so many ways. — Lisa
Good news for Lisa (and many thanks to her for her kind words): Yes, without a doubt, Nok-Out will eliminate smoke odor and every other kind of odor she — or you — may be dealing with.
Unlike supermarket room fresheners that do little more than try to cover up odors with fragrance, Nok-Out is an oxidizer. When it comes into direct contact with the source of the odor, it oxidizes that smelly stuff, changing it into something that no longer has an odor. But it can only do this when it comes in direct contact with that surface, be it an entire room or a garbage can.
The cheapest and most effective way to get Nok-Out to every surface in a room that the smoke has touched is with an ordinary household humidifier that delivers cool mist. Then wait for the simple science that makes Nok-Out work. Results will not be instant. And be prepared for the oxidation process to give off its own odor in some situations. Don't be surprised by this. Just wait. Once the oxidation is complete, you'll be left with the wonderful smell of ... nothing! The odor will be gone, and it will not come back. This could take days, not only hours.
The Best Inexpensive humidifier for this purpose is the Honeywell Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier. Its large capacity allows it to run for many hours between fill-ups.
To eliminate smoke odor in a room or car, add 8 ounces (1 cup) Nok-Out to 1 gallon of water. Use this to fill the machine. Operate it in the room as needed with all windows and vents closed for up to four hours at a time. This method works well in any area that has airborne odor problems. Spray Nok-Out in the corners and cracks, and on baseboards, door jams and casings before you run the vaporizer, especially if the odors are persistent and old.
For my readers not yet familiar with Nok-Out, it is a clear, odorless liquid, a safe and amazing odor destroyer for use in any area where odors occur. It is water-based, mild enough to wash your hands in, non-allergenic, non-staining and antimicrobial. Nok-Out destroys odors caused by pets, organic decay, tobacco smoke, fires, sweat, mold, bacteria and fungi. Nok-Out leaves carpet, upholstery, cars, trucks, shoes, gym lockers, the air you breathe — you name it — smelling fresh!
For specific resources and more information on Nok-Out, go to EverydayCheapskate.com/smokeodor.
Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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