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How do we get rid of the smell?

(21 Posts)
phoenix Sun 26-May-19 08:01:48

Hello all,

The never ending DIY! The laminate is up in the sitting room, and Mr P has been painting the skirting boards, ready for the new floor covering, which is due to be fitted on Friday.

However, he managed to spill quite a lot of white spirit, which has soaked into the bare chipboard floor sad

The smell is all pervading, right the way through the house.

Any suggestions as to how to get rid of it?

Auntieflo Sun 26-May-19 08:40:34

Here you go Phoenix, courtesy of Mr Google

Open up doors and windows to provide ventilation to the area. ...
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the turpentine spill area and leave for an hour.
Vacuum up the baking soda with a standard vacuum cleaner.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 as necessary until the smell is gone.

Auntieflo Sun 26-May-19 08:41:18

I presume turps and white spirit smell similarly horrid!

phoenix Sun 26-May-19 08:58:51

Thank you Auntieflo now I just need to get some baking soda!

I'll add it to the list, luckily I was planning to go anyway.

Auntieflo Sun 26-May-19 09:22:13

?? hope it works for you ?

Maybelle Sun 26-May-19 10:14:05

I have used table salt quite effectively to absorb similar smells.
Might be worth a try until you get baking soda.

Disgruntled Sun 26-May-19 10:20:08

Lighting candles (not the smelly sort) usually soaks up smells.... Good luck!

lizzypopbottle Sun 26-May-19 10:26:05

Don't forget that white spirit is flammable! It's also fairly volatile so the smell should disappear as it evaporates.

MawBroonsback Sun 26-May-19 10:27:33

So maybe the candle idea is not the best one. hmm

Niucla97 Sun 26-May-19 10:37:50

Cut up some onions. My mother always did this when painting

phoenix Sun 26-May-19 10:45:18

I don't mind the smell of paint, but almost a litre of white spirit soaked into the floor is a bit much!

It's giving me one hell of a headache.

Candelle Sun 26-May-19 10:51:10

Try a cut onion in a small amount of water. Put in a bowl near the spillage and leave uncovered.

Bicarbonate of soda is useful for most things (I keep some uncovered in our 'fridge) so perhaps some over the stain may help?

Good luck!

Resurgam123 Sun 26-May-19 10:52:50

I think it will go . Give it time.

GinJeannie Sun 26-May-19 11:52:41

A very well burned piece of toast. ..cremated in fact, as the charcoal will absorb any smell. Worked really well in our house last week after frying fish! Also good for pongy fridges!

Saggi Sun 26-May-19 15:02:50

Phoenix.... you’re gonna have to replace the chip board I think!

Grannyrebel27 Sun 26-May-19 15:46:37

Love the smell of white spirit but I am a bit weird!

phoenix Sun 26-May-19 15:59:42

Saggi Noooooo! We had enough trouble with the hall!

(All sorted thanks to our wonderful local builder, and NO, I'm not sharing his contact details, anyway he only works locally, so he's mine, all mine!)

Grannyrebel27 certain decorating smells I absolutely love, as they remind me of my grandfather, a professional decorator.

I was brought up by my grandparents (long story) and my beloved grandad used to come home smelling of paint and putty!

midgey Sun 26-May-19 16:35:09

Ooh I had forgotten about the smell of putty!

NotAGran55 Sun 26-May-19 19:51:54

Tip a litre of lovely smelling liquid over it maybe ? Washing powder / fabric conditioner type thing ? Or something from the Neutradol range ?

Grannyguitar Sun 26-May-19 21:01:48

Cut an onion in half and leave it in the room overnight. Works well with paint smells so may well be effective. Don't eat the onion afterwards!

bikergran Sun 26-May-19 21:08:40

When I am painting using gloss etc I always always buy some cheap onions, cut them up and leave on plates or containers all around the room , it deff works.Not sure about the terps smell.

What about baby talc sprinkled on it.