 Here's a solution that works for getting rid of odor problems on anything and anywhere; such as on clothing, furniture, refrigerators, freezers, rooms, semi-trailers with stinky cargo (see below); anything and everything! No matter what the odor! At least, I've never heard of an odor it wouldn't get rid of!
Years ago, I had an old upright freezer that was full of rock shrimp my brother brought back from Louisiana. My young son accidentally left the door ajar, and it had defrosted long before we discovered the mishap. Talk about stink, and it was throughout the insulation too. There's not much that stinkier than rotting seafood! I tried everything I knew, then tried everything everyone else told me to try. Nothing worked. We finally set it outside with the door removed to let the sunshine and fresh air work on the smell. That didn't work either. Nothing worked until an acquaintance told me what to do.
My acquaintance was a long-haul truck driver. His route took him back and forth to Mexico. He hauled freight to an industry down there. He would then pick up a load of untanned cow hides to deliver to an industry back here in the US. He had a refrigerated truck, so no problem, right? Wrong! On one trip with a load of those hides, his truck broke down, and was down for a couple of days in 100+ degree weather, with no refrigeration!! He couldn't get any repairs done for at least 24 hours, so he was hoping that, if he didn't open the trailer doors, the remaining coldness would be enough to keep the hides cool until he could get the refrigeration back on. Wrong, again! Well, the odor that hit him in the face when he opened the trailer doors 24 hours later is unimaginable! He off-loaded the stinky cargo, but it had already permeated every porous part of the trailer, wooden framework, floor, etc.! Luckily, someone who worked in the stockyards there told him to set an open can of fresh coffee grounds inside the trailer and close it up for 24 hours. He didn't believe it would work, I mean, "one 13oz. can of coffee, no way!" But he gave it a try anyway, he didn't have anything to lose and he couldn't go anywhere until the repairs could be made. After the time was up, he carefully opened trailer doors. Voila! Stinky smell all gone!!!
So, if you have a small item (smaller than a freezer or semi-trailer, that is), do the following:
Place item(s) into an appropriate size plastic bag, along with an uncovered bowl (or other OPEN container) with about 7 oz. (half a can) of fresh coffee grounds in it. Seal bag with twist tie, but be careful not to spill the coffee grounds. It probably won't harm your item, but why take the chance? Leave bag sealed for a few days. Remove item from bag, do sniff test, the offensive odor should be gone.
NOTE: if you are a frequent eBay buyer, and hate receiving smoky smelling items, this will take care of the problem.
Oh, yes, don't try making coffee with the grounds, but don't throw them in the trash either. Sprinkle them in your flower bed. Your flowers will love you for it!
Donna in the Land of Oz, USA
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RE: Use Ground Coffee To Remove Odors
When I'm going shopping and plan to go into a store with LOTS of different smells... I take a teaspoon of unbrewed coffee in a baggie with me. When the smells get too strong and mixed up, I just take a whiff and tada...clean nose smells again~ Especially if you are searching for a new perfume. It cleans out the previous smell...
J~
RE: Use Ground Coffee To Remove Odors
When I'm going shopping and plan to go into a store with LOTS of different smells... I take a teaspoon of unbrewed coffee in a baggie with me. When the smells get too strong and mixed up, I just take a whiff and tada...clean nose smells again~ Especially if you are searching for a new perfume. It cleans out the previous smell...
J~
RE: Use Ground Coffee To Remove Odors
"Ground coffee" OR used "coffee grounds"? Which one is it?
RE: Use Ground Coffee To Remove Odors
THANK YOU! WHAT A GREAT TIP!
RE: Use Ground Coffee To Remove Odors
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Post By lavendergal (Guest Post)
(02/10/2007)
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Years ago the movers suggested I put dry coffee out of the can into a small paper bag and tape it closed. Then after the refrigerator had dried out before the movers arrived, put the bag in the refrigerator. I also put a bag of coffee in our coolers and extra refrigerator when they are not being used. It helps to keep them smelling good, not musty.
RE: Use Coffee Grounds To Remove Odors
WOW, ANOTHER use for these coffee grounds I collect! Thanks a million. Most folks think that being from Texas we might have a lot of cows and horses, mules, and other creatures that create a lot of "waste"? Perhaps we do, but there are few ranchers left that anyone knows of. Regardless, I wish I had known this with the last few appliances that got that bad odors, (college refrig, old fridges, and old antique trunks, luggage, etc.) before tossing.
However, the word of caution you gave was with the AMOUNT of coffee grounds to use. I know that when/if I forget to bring a 5lb. bag, collected locally, out of the van the next day, I have to let it "air" out or get ill with too much used coffee aroma! Regardless, coffee is better than ANY stinch, right?
It's a great idea to keep in mind. Thanks! God bless you. : )
RE: Use Coffee Grounds To Remove Odors
Thanks for the tip!
I assume you are talking about coffee out of the can, unbrewed?
Coffee in the filter, after it's been brewed, are called grounds.
Let us know for sure which one you mean.
Thanks.
RE: Use Coffee Grounds To Remove Odors
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Post By Gina (Guest Post)
(01/16/2007)
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I handle the maintenance on refrigerated trailers and so often, I find that this kind of stuff happens all the time. Coffee grounds have been an old cheap standby in this industry.
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