Do It Yourself: Good cleaning might help tackle tobacco odor

Sun., May 6, 2012

Gene Austin McClatchy

Quick Tip

There are a number of options for helping to prevent the sun’s ultraviolet rays from fading carpets, floors and other indoor surfaces. The options include window films, drapes, awnings and so forth, but solar window screens have some unique advantages – including a possible reduction in cooling costs. The screens have a coarser weave than insect screens but serve that purpose also and are installed just like insect screens. According to Phifer, a leading manufacturer of solar screens, they can block up to 90 percent of the sun’s UV as well as reduce glare and heat gain into the building. The screens still allow ventilation and some visibility. Solar screens and screening are sold at some home centers (a 36-inch by 25-foot roll of screening costs about $52) and on the Internet. For more information, visit www.phifer.com.>

Q. Our apartment smells strongly of tobacco smoke. We have complained to the management and even to the corporate office, but get no help. Can you tell us what to do?

A. If the odor is old, from a former occupant who smoked, you can probably improve the air by thoroughly cleaning the apartment. This would include having carpets professionally cleaned and deodorized. Curtains, drapes, upholstery, bedding and any other similar material that could have absorbed odors should be laundered. Walls can also absorb smoke odors. A technique that is sometimes used in buildings that have absorbed smoke from fires should help. Walls and ceilings are first sealed with shellac or a shellac-based primer, then repainted. The shellac helps lock in the odors. You can also try odor absorbents such as Nilodor (www.nilodor.com). Obviously these treatments are rather costly and might not completely remove the old odor, but should help.

If the smoke odor is still seeping into your apartment from outside sources, your problem is more difficult to solve. If you know where the smoke is coming from, a personal plea to the smoker might help. If a plea doesn’t work, and you believe the smoke is affecting your health, you might consult a good attorney to see what steps, if any, can be taken to get the management involved. In some cases, a strong letter from an attorney will spur some action.

Electronic air purifiers, also called air cleaners, are another line of defense, and sometimes work where other approaches fail. A portable unit is best for an apartment, and can be moved from room to room. An Internet search, using terms like Air Purifiers for Smoke Odors, is a good way to shop for a suitable unit. Many experts recommend purifiers with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters. Purifiers that produce ozone are also sold for smoke control, but be cautious of these because high levels of ozone can be a health hazard. For information on ozone perils, visit www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html.>

Q. We have brown cork flooring in our kitchen that had a sealer on it, but it now shows many footprints. How do I clean it and seal it again and keep it from more damage?

A. Your options depend largely on what type of cork flooring you have and whether it was sealed by the manufacturer or installer. The flooring can be either natural or synthetic cork. Synthetic cork is generally sealed by the manufacturer and often has a coating of wax. Natural cork might be sealed by the installer, possibly with water-based polyurethane. If you know who installed the flooring or made it, you should try and find out what cleaning methods and sealant are recommended.

If you can’t track down the sealant type, I think the best bet is to consult an experienced flooring professional to examine the cork and do the cleaning and re-sealing. This time, ask questions and take notes so you can do it yourself when the floor becomes soiled again. One thing you can do at this point is test for wax. Put a few drops of mineral spirits (paint thinner) on an inconspicuous area of the floor. Wait a few minutes and wipe the treated area with a clean, white rag; if the rag picks up a yellowish or brown stain, the floor has been waxed and the sealant choices are limited (polyurethane sealers will not adhere to wax).

When you do get the floor cleaned and re-sealed, use area rugs to help protect high-traffic areas. Cork floors with a lot of surface damage can be sanded and refinished much like a hardwood floor, but this is definitely a job for an experienced floor refinisher.

Questions and comments should be emailed to Gene Austin at gaus17@aol.com. Send regular mail for Gene Austin to 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.