How to Get Rid of Musty Smell in a Dresser

If you love to bargain shop at garage sales, antique stores, thrift stores and more, then you have probably dealt with the lovely smells that greet you when you open a drawer of an old dresser once you get it home.

Musty Smell Can Transfer to Clothes and Unmentionables!

Depending on what you are storing in these drawers, you may notice that it is not long, even after cleaning and lining a drawer with pretty paper that those pesky musty smells return and transfer to your clothes.

If you don't want to smell musty, then follow these quick steps!

White Vinegar to the Rescue

There are so many products out there that claim to get rid of damp or musty smells.  Many of these smells are simply because the piece is old or was stored somewhere damp.  If you don't want to add new odors but simply neutralize them, then the vinegar method should work for you.

You can take the drawer out and totally paint or varnish and seal the inside, but now you will smell like varnish!.... but in the meantime, try this:

Bowl of White Vinegar

Steps to Rid Drawer of Musty Smell

Step 1 - Vacuum completely the drawer in question

Step 2 -  Place a bowl (with high sides) of white vinegar in the drawer and close it.

Step 3 - Leave overnight if you can

Step 4 - Remove bowl

Step 5 - Line with scented paper if you like or plain paper.

White vinegar is amazing when it comes to removing odors.  You can use this process to freshen other places such as your car, closet, refrigerator or any small area that stinks!

Why Does it Smell Musty?

Musty smells tend to happen when a piece has been unused for years and stored somewhere a bit damp.  If the drawers are not opened for years, there is no ventilation.  Once you try the vinegar method and get using these dresser drawers it will disappear.

Another awesome way to rid your dresser of smells is to take the drawers outside and sit them in the sunshine.  Or if it is winter but a sunny day.. sit them in the sunshine on the floor.   This will help to dry them out of any lingering dampness.

How to Unshrink Wool - Don't Throw Out that Sweater - Try This First

So... last laundry day, you didn't notice that new wool sweater of yours had worked its way into the dirty clothes hamper, which then worked its way into the washer and the dryer. 

You mean't to set it aside to hand wash, but things happen, and it is now the perfect size for a doll.

How to Unshrink Clothes

White Wine Vinegar
cool water
25 minutes of your time
air drying time

Method:

Step 1 - Take your sweater and wash in a mixture of 1 part white wine vinegar with 2 parts cool water for 25 minutes.

Step 2 - Gently squeeze out the excess water

Step 3 - Lay it out on a towel and begin to stretch it to the original size.

Step 4 - Once you are happy with the size,  (measure some of your other sweaters if you are not sure on the size it should be)

Step 5 - Let it air dry

White Wine Vinegar - Relaxes Wool

The vinegar helps the wool relax, and gives you the chance to put it back to the right shape and size so that your soft wool sweater has a second chance at life.

Also Deodorizes!

Other than the emergency of unshrinking your clothes, this vinegar will actually deodorize them as well. 

Sometimes these beautiful sweaters or any wool based items of clothing can, over time, get a bit stinky as you can't really use harsh detergents or go nuts scrubbing them.  So by rinsing them in the above bath of vinegar and water, will not only allow you the ability to stretch it back to size, but also make it smell fresher.

Win - Win!

So before you donate that nice sweater or top, try this method.  It will only cost you the white wine vinegar and some time, but well worth the effort.

How to Remove Deodorant Stains From Clothes without Harsh Chemicals

We are all trying to stay healthy, eat right and exercise, but sometimes we sweat so much our deodorant or antiperspirant leaves stains in the arm pits of our favorite tops and shirts.

I actually found a home remedy that works quite well.  for removing deodorant stains as well as perspiration stains.  The answer is:

PLAIN WHITE VINEGAR

My grandma used vinegar for everything.  I used to laugh at her and ask why she just didn't buy whatever the latest chemical was on the market.  She would say "vinegar works" that was the answer.

So fast forward a few decades, and here I am using it.

How to Removed Deodorant Stains and Sweat Stains

Step 1 - Pour white vinegar directly on the stain of washable shirts

Step 2 - Rub the area gently with your hands

Step 3 - Launder in the hottest water that is safe for that particular fabric.

That is it!

If you are not a fan of having vinegar on your skin, use gloves, and you could also fill a spray bottle with white vinegar to keep in the laundry room so you will think to do this before laundering.

I found this worked quite well on dark colored shirts without bleaching or fading the way chemicals tend to do.

White Vinegar Removes Odors from Clothes Too!

So, while you are getting rid of deodorant stains you will also get rid of the odors that I find even modern washing machines don't always seem to do.

Sweat Blocking Shields

If you find yourself sweating a lot and very self conscious about underarm sweat stains, you can also invest in sweat blocking shields and wipes.  This will make your laundry day even easier.
The first one is a super thin shield that you can wear in your shirt and is high absorbent, and the other is a wipe. Either one will totally help you remain confident.

Sweating in the gym is normal, but sometimes at work you don't want to look like you have just been to the gym.

Using shields will also protect your clothing from excess sweat and deodorant stains.

So, remember, the white vinegar works to remove stains and odors and the shields will help to minimize it.

How to Get Rid of Earwigs in the Garden with Beer - Next Party Recycle Those Beer Tins

I know this is a vinegar uses blog, but I just had to interrupt with this brilliant idea that is NOT pesticide!

Earwigs just love to munch on those veggie gardens and even some flowers, and they simply are a pain.

If you have a small garden or a container style one, you can simply pick them off the plants after daily inspection by hand.

But if you have a large sized one, this can become tedious.  But there is one thing I have found out about earwigs while trying to grow a garden..

They love beer to death!

What? You Say??

Steps to follow to get rid of earwigs:

Step 1 - Get beer in tins (this is the easiest way)

Step 2 - Drink 2/3 of the can

Step 3 - Dig a hole in the row between your plants the size and depth of the tin

Step 4 - Bury the tin up to the opening

Step 5 - After a 2-3 days empty the tin and you will find lots of dead earwigs and some slugs

Step 6 - Repeat


But What if I Don't Drink Beer??

Here is another option that also works.

Step 1 - Purchase beer

Step 2 - Using small tinfoil muffin cups

Step 3 - Place tinfoil muffin cups of small pie plates slightly into the dirt and weigh down with a couple of stones between your plants.

Step 4 - Fill each pie plate or muffin cup with some beer.

If you don't drink the beer then you will have more to use in the garden.  Every couple of days or if it rains, replace the beer with fresh. 

You will be absolutely amazed at how many earwigs will drown themselves for the love of beer.  I am not sure exactly what attracts them to it, but this method works.

But What if the Infestation is Huge??  Petroleum Jelly at the Base

A further step you can take to help save your plants, is to take some petroleum jelly or what I call Vaseline and put some around the base of your plants.

Earwigs don't like to climb over this and it doesn't harm the plants.  This can be a tedious process but between the Vaseline and the beer they should decide that your garden is not worth the trouble and move on!

How to Get Rid of Vomit Smell from your Car - No Harsh Chemicals - Natural Cleaner That Gets Rid of Puke Smell

Maybe you decided today is a nice warm day and you want to go for a drive, or you simply need to run errands.

You get into your warm car and it hits you like a ton of gagging bricks, vomit smell.  That sour nasty heated up smell in your car.  So just how do you get rid of puke smell?

White Vinegar will Neutralize Vomit Odor

Before you hit the back button thinking.... "no way, the puke smell in my car is much too strong for simple vinegar".  Give this method a try:

What you will need:

Jug of white vinegar

Empty spray bottles (you don't have to have one of these but as you learn to love white vinegar for cleaning you may find it easier to use it in a spray bottle)

Clean Cloths and Sponge

A couple of bowls

Step 1 - FIND THE OFFENDING SPOT if at all possible! - Many times it has gone a little bit under the seats or between them.  This is where your nose knows best.

Step 2 - Clean out the Car.  It may be the puke is on some items in the car such as the baby car seat or books or toys.  

Step 3 - Vacuum with a good strong indoor/outdoor vacuum cleaner.  If you don't own one, many car wash/gas stations will have one for a buck you can use.  This will get rid of any dried bits.

Step 4 - Mix equal parts white vinegar with warm water into your spray bottle (or in container) and spray onto the stain or area you feel is the offending area.  If you don't have a spray bottle then simply use a sponge dipped in the vinegar mixture.

Step 5 - Leave a couple of minutes then blot the area with a clean cloth or strong paper towels (the type that don't leave bits)

Step 6 - Take the white vinegar and pour some straight from the jug into 2 bowls.  Place one bowl on the back floor of the car and one on the front floors of the car.  You could even go for a 3rd bowl in the trunk if there are odors there too.

Step 7 - Leave in car overnight with windows closed.

Step 8 - DON'T FORGET TO REMOVE THE BOWLS before driving off.

White Vinegar with Neutralize Vomit Odor and Clean at the Same Time

For years I used to have a bucket full of harsh cleaners that would leave my nostrils irritated every time I cleaned my car.  There is really no need to go that harsh when it comes to cleaning especially puke or spills or some of the grossest organic things.

My family used to clean the interior of cars, and you can imagine some of the worst things that people will have rotting away in their cars.

We Tend to Live, Eat and Drink in our Cars - Spills and Puke Happen.

Whether it is your toddler, baby or your dog that causes the pukes, spills and messes, staying on top of them doesn't require harshness, but it does require action.  

Spilled Milk in a Car is Another Offensive Lingering Odor

Knowing how to take vomit smell out of car is not the only thing vinegar can do.  Milk quickly adds a sourness to the air quality in your car.

Always Check Under the Seats

It is amazing what can accumulate under there.  We once found a half eaten yogurt container under the seat of the passenger car.  It had been dropped by someone in the back seat and was never found.  This customer kept their car pristine but just couldn't get rid of the sour smell.  

Armed with gloves and a flashlight we found the offender and took it out and then used the white vinegar method for neutralizing stains and odors.

Dogs are Famous for Back Seat Puking

Try to remove as much of it as you can right away.  Obviously the best advice for the dog in the car is to have a car cover especially designed for dogs.  This will at least it will contain the puke and other nasty things.  You can usually take these covers out and hose them down or wash them.

But use the vinegar in the bowls overnight and you will be surprised at just how quickly odors are eliminated.  

Once you have done the nose test and found the offending spot, it is just a matter of cleaning it with vinegar and adding the bowls for overnight.

Create a Car Cleaning Kit

We are all busy and giving the car a weekly or monthly clean might be a bit easier if you have a kit ready to go.

Go to the dollar store and get a bucket and then purchase at the grocery store or online a just of white vinegar, spray bottles, clean clothes and a sponge.  This way it is easy to stay on top of puke and other stains and smells.   

How to Clean Mini Blinds without Taking Them Down - Super Quick and Easy without Chemicals

Mini blinds look great on windows but they do collect dust and dirt, especially in the kitchen.

I used to take them down and throw them in the tub, once a year but this was tedious and a pain.

So I found a much easier way for cleaning mini blinds and you will be amazed!

What you will Need:

Invest in a package of white gloves - not for fancy evenings out!  But for wash and wear cleaning, as your hands and fingers do a way better job than any cloth will do, believe me!

Plain White Vinegar
A couple of containers
Hot Water

Method:

Step 1 - In one container fill it with half white vinegar and half warm/hot water (whatever temperature you can stand) and mix.

In the other container have plain warm/hot water for rinsing your gloved fingers.

Step 2 - Dip your gloved fingers into the vinegar water mix and then starting at the top slats rub your fingers firmly along 2-3 slats.  Each slat gets one finger, or if you find that uncomfortable or they are really dirty, one slat at a time.

Step 3 - Dip your gloved fingers into the clean water to rinse off any dirt and grime.

Step 4 - Repeat the process if necessary depending on how dirty they are.

Cleaning Mini Blinds in Place is the Easiest and Quickest!

With your gloved fingers you can get into the corners and nooks and crannies that a simple cloth will not get.  I find it easier to use your fingers to do the cleaning.

Step 5 - Polish with a Clean Glove if you Feel they Need to Gleam.

Step 6 - Throw gloves into the washing machine and dump water/vinegar down the drain.  It will even help to freshen your drains on the way out.

Thats it!  No harsh chemicals.  Just some elbow power and hand power and white vinegar.  The vinegar will cut through the dust and dirt.

If you have especially greasy mini blinds, this may take a few passes.  I have found it much easier on the blinds if you can do this without taking them down and getting everything wet.

How to Clean Mini Blinds If Your Fingers are Not an Option

If you find it difficult to use your fingers due to joint or health issues, there are products on the market that can replace your fingers when it comes to cleaning mini blinds.


This tool fits in between the slats, allowing you to give them a good clean.

I always knew white vinegar was a good for cleaning, it was all my grandma ever used, but I was super impressed with how well it works on mini blinds.  So don't be spraying all kinds of harsh cleaners which ends up on the window or in your lungs.

If they are super dusty and you are sensitive, you could wear a disposable mask.

Whether you use a the special tool or your gloved fingers, give it a try and get those mini blinds clean as they are a huge dust magnet!

Also check out my post on How to Clean Suede Shoes at Home with Vinegar and  How to Soften Paint Brushes with Vinegar along with many other posts on just how useful vinegar is around the house, car and yard.

How to Soften Paint Brushes with Vinegar - Don't Throw Those Hard Paint Brushes Away - Try This Method

After I paint a room I will clean the brushes as quick as I can, but sometimes I don't get to it in time, or sometimes the paint simply didn't wash out and the brushes are now hard.

In the past I would throw them out, but this is such a waste.  Give this method a try first before throwing them out.  This will surprise you, I know it surprised me just how well it works.

How to Soften a Stiff Paint Brush

Step 1 - Get out a small pot that maybe you don't use so much (although it can be cleaned).  Fill with enough white vinegar to cover the bristles of your brushes.

(Don't put the entire brush in, just the bristle part so a small pot works best and uses less vinegar)

Step 2 - Bring the white vinegar to a low simmer and place your brushes in this solution and simmer for about 5-10 minutes.  Don't leave the kitchen, you need to watch them as you don't want to boil them too long which can happen if you leave the room :)

Step 3 - Flex the brushes a bit on the bottom of the pan to get them flexible again after a few minutes simmering (being careful of the hot vinegar)

Step 4 - Wash your Brushes in hot soapy water, let dry naturally and they should be ready to go.

How to Get Paint Brushes Soft Again

So, don't throw them out.  It seems sometimes no matter how hard you try to clean brushes, they end up stiff next time you need one.

Follow the above steps and stiff brushes will be soft again.  Also try using this on hardened paint brushes that still have paint on them.  You will be surprised at how the hot vinegar breaks down the paint residue.

Don't use the microwave for this process, it is better done on the stove with the brushes simmering.

Do a few at a time, and gauge your results.

Brushes can be Expensive

When using a brush for trim and edges, I usually purchase quality ones with the wooden handles, and they can be upwards of 12 dollars or more, so it is worth using this cleaning method.

Are Your Paint Brushes Curled?

When storing them, they should always be stored flat, but on occasion, mine have been left standing in clean paint bucket downwards, which has then curled the bristles.

Use this vinegar method to reshape them.  Simmer in the hot vinegar, wash with soap and water and then simply shape them yourself while they dry.

How to Soften Old Paint Brushes - Artist Brushes

This method works well for artist brushes too.

I know you can get specialized cleaners for artist brushes, but I have found dipping them in the simmering vinegar and then some soap and water and a rinse will help to rejuvenate artist brushes too!  Much cheaper than the specialized cleaners.

The above is another great reason to keep vinegar around.  It is affordable and so useful for everything!  No need to buy toxic cleaners.  Also check out my latest post on,
How to Clean Suede Shoes at Home With Vinegar and also check out some of my posts at the side of this blog. 

How to Clean Suede Shoes at Home with Vinegar - Get Rid of Salt Stains Fast and on the Cheap

Suede shoes are plush and comfy and awesome until they meet puddles, dirt, snow and salt, then not so much.

So what can you do about this?  There are kits you can purchase, but what if you don't have any type of shoe kit at home and you need to clean these expensive shoes fast?

Vinegar comes to the rescue.

How to Get Stains out of Suede Shoes Fast 

Step 1 - Lay out newspapers and gather some supplies, you will need to get creative if you don't have a shoe kit.  You will need:  a small bowl, a clean cloth (face cloth or tea towel can be donated to the project) white vinegar and a nail brush of some sort.

Step 2 - In the perfect world you would have a special suede cleaning brush, but assuming you don't then a nail brush will do in a pinch.  On the dried shoes or boots, (don't work on suede while wet)  take a nail brush and gently brush the shoes to loosen any dirt that is ground in.

Step 3 -  Pour some vinegar into the small bowl and then with your cloth (don't use paper towel it leaves bits on the shoes) dip into the vinegar and then dab onto the stains of your suede shoes with a gentle circular motion.

Step 4 - Let dry

Step 5 - Fluff with the nail brush or other soft brush

Step 6 - Get the supplies needed to protect your suede shoes and have on hand.


After you have cleaned your suede shoes or boots, you really should protect them with the spray. This does work if used on a regular basis. But the above steps will at least take care of the dirt and salt stains.

If you regularly clean suede it will last much longer.  Don't be too rough with the brush but you do need to deal with ground in dirt quickly or it will wear the supple surface.

Keeping a jug of white vinegar on hand is perfect for many day to day cleaning issues.  Here are some other great uses:

How to get Cat pee smell out of the carpet with vinegar or How to Get Smoke Smell out of a Car with Vinegar just to name a couple of issues that vinegar could fix. 

White vinegar is affordable and can be used from everything to french fries to all kinds of cleaning..  This blog is dedicated to ways in which vinegar can help you day to day life without harsh chemicals or sprays.