Best Questions from 2025
- , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke
I was going through my 2025 articles and thought I would share some recurring questions and their answers. I hope that these questions help you with your projects. And as always, I am only a phone call away. I work most days and would love to talk about projects with you!
Question: We accidentally let some fruit roll under the seat of our car, and it started to rot. The smell is horrible. We have tried everything from deodorizers to baking soda, and nothing has helped. We are thinking of selling the car, and there's no way it will sell with the smell inside. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer: Sure, I do, and it’s easy. First, I assume you have cleaned up any residue left by the rotting fruit. If you think you still need to clean, Folex is a great cleaner and can be found almost anywhere. Next, use an odor neutralizer, not a deodorizer, and start with Bio Zapp. It has NO fragrance. Spray any soft surfaces, such as carpets, fabric seats, and headliners. I would even spray the carpet in the truck. It might take a few applications, but it will work miracles. Next, I would suggest an Air Sponge. It is also an odor neutralizer. Unlike Bio Zapp, Air Sponge has a light, clean soap smell. It comes in a ½ lb container that is perfect for the car. Remove the lid and place it under the seat. Between Bio Zapp and Air Sponge, your odor will be gone.
This is a rotting-fruit smell, but these two products are great for smoke smell, animal odors, sweaty athletic kids, and clothes in the car. And you can find these products at most hardware stores. If you can’t find them, call me at the store.
Question: I have several rentals, most of which are long-term. I just had a renter move out, and I was shocked at how dirty the bathroom was, especially the toilet. It looks so bad; I am wondering if I should just replace it. If you have answers for mildew and hard water, I would love to know about them.
Answer: Don’t replace the toilet unless it just won’t flush. You can get it clean with just a couple of products. Find Pumie Flexi Scour at your hardware store, where they sell pumice stones. Flexi Scour is a flexible screening material coated with pumice. Unlike hard, square pumice stones, Flexi Scour is much easier to use and gets into all the curved areas of the toilet. It will not scratch the porcelain. Once you remove all the hard water stains, use Delete Germ to clean and disinfect the toilet. Put it in the bowl and then lift the lid on the tank and squirt some down the overflow pipe. Then leave the toilet alone and let Delete Germ work overnight. The next morning, use a stiff toilet bowl brush and scrub the inside of the bowl, and then flush.
Question: I found this wood desk on the curb and knew it was perfect for me. The finish looked good, but dull. I don’t want to refinish the piece. Do you have a suggestion that doesn’t include stripping and refinishing?
Answer: The easy answer is Feed and Wax. Put about a quarter's worth on a soft rag and start applying it in the direction of the grain of the wood. Apply the Feed and Wax and let it dry. Then take another soft cloth and buff. Apply again if necessary.
Question: The other day, when I was coming home, I opened the garage and out ran the tiniest little mouse. I don’t know who was scared more, him or me. I know you don’t recommend poison, and I don’t like the idea of a snap trap. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer: Use a repellent. I like Morgan’s Repellent. I have found that this superior repellent performs the best. Place the repellent about 24 inches above the garage floor and 2 to 4 feet inside the garage. Don’t place it near the garage door, as that will block their escape route. I like the “garlic” smell and found that it works best in my store. Be sure to remove any bird or grass seed that might have attracted the mice. And I promise, there is more than one little mouse.