I need help.

[~o0o~]

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any bags that can keep moisture and odors off my linens? I live with my father who smokes and we get a lot of dampness in the house. I usually keep my stuff in the dryer to keep it fresh, but it causes problems when he needs to do laundry.

 

[Kanyee !]

I need help.

do you have room to keep a plastic tote of all your massage stuff out in your car? My car tends to be a travelling suitcase, it works well for me.

 

[Courtney M.P.]

I need help.

do you have room to keep a plastic tote of all your massage stuff out in your car? My car tends to be a travelling suitcase, it works well for me.

That is a great idea. You could also get some ziploc 2xl bags that are like 2x2.5 ft, but they're like $7 for 3. I think you could fit more sheets into a tupperware tote for a better price. Either way, there still might be some possibility that smoke smell will get to them, so be sure to store some dryer sheets with them.

 

[DeathCube K]

I need help.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any bags that can keep moisture and odors off my linens? I live with my father who smokes and we get a lot of dampness in the house. I usually keep my stuff in the dryer to keep it fresh, but it causes problems when he needs to do laundry.

I don't know if this will help... and, it will depend on if your father is open minded to the concept. But, if you can talk him into this, it may be a starting point (I saw it on some website):

More on dryer sheets: Put some in an empty toilet paper roll... and use it as a smoke filter. If your roommate doesn't like the smell of cigarette smoke ...just blow the smoke into the roll and the house will smell like fresh laundry.

I am trying to search google for some sort of portable laundry bag that can keep the enclosed items fresh from smoke. So far I have turned up "bamboo charcoal bags" of a small size which can be added to a bin or bag. I'll post more when I get a few bites on my search.

 

[SDress]

I need help.

Here's something else that may help you with some sort of ideas as to how to start working together to make life better for you and your clients.

How to Keep Your Parents' Smoke Smell Out of Your Clothes

If your parents smoke around you, your clothing and other items may smell like smoke. Smokers don't mind the odor because their noses are no longer sensitive to it. So your parents don't notice the smell, but you probably do.

Instructions (Difficulty: Moderate)
1
Talk to your parents about the problem to see if they can help pose some solutions. Ask them if they could start smoking outside. If they are not agreeable, understand that smoking is an addiction.

2
Keep your dresser drawers, your bedroom door and your closet door closed. Let your parents know that you are keeping the door closed to maintain a smoke-free zone in your bedroom. If they do not want the door closed, ask if you can put a fan in your doorway blowing out.

3
Post a "No Smoking" sign on the door to your bedroom and ask your parents to respect it.

4
Put scented dryer fabric sheets in your clothing drawers. Layer the sheets between your clothes. Tuck some dryer sheets inside the clothes in your closet.

5
Cover and clothing that is hanging in the closet and that doesn't get worn often with a large plastic bag. Turn the bag upside down and cut a small hole in the center of the bottom. Put the hanger through the hole and pull the plastic bag over the clothes.

6
Spray your clothes with a fabric freshener, such as Febreeze, the night before you are going to wear them. You could also spray a little bit of your favorite perfume or cologne on them. Perfume or cologne doesn't remove the smell, but they may mask it.

 

[cathrl69]

I need help.

Here's one more article on helping to eliminate odors. Tons of ideas in here, that may be of use from: http://www.essortment.com/home/cigarettesmoke_sdfs.htm .

Household cleaning: how to eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke
Foolproof tips and tricks for eliminating and preventing stale cigarette smoke odor, tar and nicotine stains from walls, carpets, furniture and clothing.

Eliminating the odor of stale cigarette smoke is an ongoing job. There is no "set-it-and-forget-it" magic to eliminating the odor. It permeates everything—walls, flooring, carpets and rugs, bedspreads, furniture, curtains, lampshades, clothing, even hair, skin and nails—any porous material. The tar and nicotine leave a film that binds the smoke to the material, not only allowing the odor to last forever, but also discoloring light-colored surfaces and fabrics. Some ordinary cleaning products leave a film that actually attracts tar and nicotine.

If you are a smoker, or you know that you're going to have guests in your home who smoke, it's best to attack the problem aggressively and from multiple angles: prevention, cleaning, neutralizing, and even masking.

Prevent Smoke Buildup

Obviously, the very best preventative tactic is to smoke outdoors. Since this is not going to appeal to some smokers, the next best way to combat cigarette smoke is to allow as little smoke as possible into a confined area.


• Fresh air - There is no substitute for fresh air! Even in the dead of winter, it's possible to open a window to allow some air exchange while smoking.

• Mechanical Air Exchange – There is no shoreforum.xxxe of air filters on the market that do a fair job of circulating stale air through a variety of filters, usually including a charcoal filter, and returning cleaned air to the room. Over the years, the size of these machines has shrunk from furniture-sized appliances to desktop eyesores. Most are noisy, and all require frequent and usually expensive filter changes.

• Negative ion generators – These machines have no moving parts and no filters to replace. They emit electrically charged negative ions into the air. Think about the fresh look, feel and smell after a thunderstorm. The thunderstorm leaves behind an atmosphere full of negative ions. The beach is another example of an environment rich in negative ions. In both instances, negative ions are not only responsible for the fresh air, but also for the accompanying sense of wellbeing. Anywhere you find pollution, including stale smoke; you will find air full of positively charged ions. Negative ion generators are small and unobtrusive. You must clean the inner chamber of the machine frequently, and if you place the machine close to a wall, you will need to wash the wall frequently, because the stale smoke matter concentrates and some of it escapes from the filter chamber.

• Smokeless ashtrays – Battery-powered smokeless ashtrays are available for approximately $5. They use a small fan to draw the smoke into an inner chamber that houses a filter, usually a charcoal filter. The smoke you exhale still circulates around the room until it finds its final resting place on the walls, ceiling, carpet, etc., but residual smoke from the burning cigarette is trapped in the ashtray filter.


Emergency Quick Room Fresheners

If, for example, you receive a phone call from a non-smoking friend, informing you of an imminent visit, you have to act quickly. In this case, you don't have time for a thorough cleaning. You will have to settle for removing as much of the odor as possible and masking the rest. Keep a stock of supplies on hand for this type of emergency.


• Air and fabric neutralizer (not freshener) spray, such as Febreze

• Baking soda

• Pine-scented cleaner, such as PineSol

• Potpourri

• Scented candles, preferably scented with essential oils

• Vinegar


You will have to work fast. Complete as many of the following steps in order as time permits.


1. Start with public rooms: kitchen, foyer, den, living room, etc. Spray the room, furniture, curtains and carpets with an air and fabric neutralizer. Stand under the mist to allow a little of the mist to fall onto your hair and clothing. Do not spray directly on furniture, drapes or carpet unless you have tested ahead of time. Just let a little mist fall from the air if you have not tested.

2. If it's winter and you have a fireplace, light a fire. If you have some dried lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit rinds, throw them on the fire.

3. Place fresh potpourri in each room. Add some water and potpourri to a large pot and simmer on the stove.

4. Light scented candles.

5. Soak a washcloth with vinegar, wring excess liquid, and wave the washcloth around the room to neutralize the odor.

6. Sprinkle baking soda onto the carpet before vacuuming.

7. Wipe kitchen surfaces with a vinegar and water solution.

8. Mop the kitchen floor with a pine-scented floor cleaner.


Deep Cleaning

Once the smoke has done its damage, the earlier you can attack the problem, the better your chances of eliminating the lingering odor and discoloration.


• Walls – Wash the walls, baseboards, ceilings and doors once or twice a year with water, baking soda and vinegar. You'll notice that the smoke stains get darker as the smoke travels up the wall, eventually landing on the ceiling. Pay special attention to corners and crevices.

• Curtains – Wash or dry clean once a year and spruce up in between cleanings by spraying with an air and fabric neutralizer. If you have expensive draperies, professionally clean as necessary.

• Carpets – Vacuum with baking soda once a week, and clean the carpet once or twice a year. If you want to add fragrance without the expense of a commercial product, mix a drop or two of your favorite essential oil into the baking soda before sprinkling. For stubborn odors, leave the baking soda on the carpet overnight before vacuuming.

• Furniture – If you use your living room and dining room infrequently, the best course of action is to cover the furniture with old sheets, blankets, and duvets. Close off the room if possible, and close air vents when the room is not in use to prevent smoke from circulating into the room. If your good furniture is exposed, it is best to have it professionally cleaned as needed. Don't take any chances with fine fabrics unless you know what you're doing and you have tested the fabric.

• Floors – Most floors respond well to mopping with a vinegar and water solution. Apply wax after the floor completely dries if your floor requires wax. Most modern finishes no longer require regular waxing.

• Central air systems – Change filters at least once a month. Otherwise, you're circulating the very contaminant that you want to eliminate.


Daily Maintenance

• Allow fresh air into the house every day. Completely sealing your house in the winter seals the smoke in the house. Ventilating a little in the winter is healthy, and it will help you keep the smoke odor to a minimum.

• Place odor absorbing materials around the house in hidden locations: small bowls of vinegar, baking soda, charcoal, even kitty litter. Be sure to place the bowls out of the reach of children and pets.

• Place a drop or two of essential oils on a cold light bulb. When you turn the light on, the heat will mix with the essential oil, and you'll have a continuous, long-term source of fragrance.

• Store clothes in plastic bags, and add cedar chips to the closet. Close the closet doors. Remove any residual smoke from clothes in the dryer with a fabric softener sheet.

• Keep a supply of scented candles on hand. You can purchase candles formulated specifically for removing smoke odors. Light the candles before you smoke.

• Spray air neutralizers to get rid of the smoke odor, and follow with an air freshener after the smoke odor is gone.

• Simmer potpourri in water on the stove. If you don't have any potpourri, simmer a pot with water, citrus rinds, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and clove.

• Fill the bottom of your ashtrays with charcoal, baking soda or kitty litter.


The object is to stay ahead of the smoke odors, and clean the residual film early and often. If you do those two things, you can still smoke and live in a fresh, sweet-smelling atmosphere.

 

[MattM]

I need help.

OK, I searched and searched all sorts of ideas and one track led me to just the right google words which got me over to hunting bags. How interesting! I haven't done a search like this in ages. I love it! I think I found something that will help you, but you'd need to make a few calls or do a little more research to make sure.

If you find out this is a good product, or find something similar, please don't forget to let us know! This could be a lifesaver for a lot of MT's out there!

ScenTote - http://www.scentote.com/

This is obviously a hunters dream, but why couldn't it also be used for MT's who have smokers in the house or, as you mentioned, damp basements? I'd say call the company to be sure, but here is a little excerpt from their website:

Only ScenTote, with its patented R3 technology, features Carbon-Web adsorption which allows carbon particles to release and "rain down", mixing throughout your clothes, and tracking down and reducing odors wherever they hide. ScenTote's patented process delivers the right amount of carbon particles where they're needed most, to adsorb and reduce VOCs and other odors that can alert your quarry.

Inside the tote, scent-eliminating carbon granules are continuously released by the Web-Adsorber, keeping your gear free of foreign odors.

There is also a ScentBlocker Duffel Bag out there.

One other site made mentioned these possibilities:

• Smoke Relief from EnviroCorp (don't know if you can find it in your area - they supposedly sell at Canadian Tire but it's been really hit or miss for me) is actually quite an effective product. Spray that in your hair, especially if it's very long.
  
• Ozium - is made for getting rid of smoky smells.
  
• Use a HEPA filter in your smoke-free zone.
  
• Wash with a softner.
  
• Using a little white vinegar or ammonia in with the detergent when you wash your sheets will help keep them extra smell-free (these sorts of smells tend to cling to sheets more, since sheets are, by default, soft fabric with oils from your body on them.)
  
• Try a smokless ashtray with a fan or filter.
  
• Keep set of "work clotes" at work.
  
• Mention to clients that you live with a smoker and that you are worried about bringing tobacco smells to work on the sheets. The client may mind the smells a lot less. (I replaced "people at work" with clients, for this comment. They were talking about work related smoke issues.)

And, a few other options I found would be Activated Carbon Felt & Felt Blankets, Activated Carbon Filter Deodorizing Bags & Homax Products.

One other thing might be a "fire-resistant" bag - http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-fire-resistant-bag.htm - it seems like not too much smell could get in something like that, but I am not sure.

 

[ShaneTalbert.com]

I need help.

Well, as searching would have it I found something else that may be helpful (bold notes, mine):

The Oxy Elim-A-Scent™ Micro Aggressor:

IDEAL FOR:
• Camo Storage Totes,
• Blinds,
• Duffel Bags,
• Small Closets,
• Tents,
• Vehicles,
• Lockers

ELIMINATES:
• Human Scent
• Alarming Odors
• Cigarette Smoke
• Gas/Exhaust Fumes
• Bacteria/Germs
• Viruses
• Chemicals/Fumes
• Mold/Mildew
• Pet Odors
• Food Odors & More!

Kill human scent and alarming odors dead in their tracks with the power of nature...

The Oxy Elim-A-Scent™ Micro Aggressor eliminates scents in small areas like camo storage totes, blinds, duffel bags, small closets, tents, vehicles and more with the convenience of a compact, battery-operated unit.

However, don't let the small size fool you— the Oxy Elim-A-Scent™ Micro Aggressor effectively eliminates a multitude of offensive odors such as; human scent, cigarette smoke, gas/exhaust fumes, bacteria, mold, mildew, pet odors and food odors. This innovative device utilizes ionic tehnology and Activated Oxygen (O3) to generate Oxyions™, deodorizing and sanitizing even the strongest odors and bacteria. The Oxy Elim-A-Scent™ Micro Aggressor offers the final protection in a complete scent control regimen for hunters.

Run it in LOW Mode for descenting maintenance (batteries will last up to 30 days in this mode). Switch to HI Mode when you have come into contact with strong/alarming odors and need emergency descenting (batteries will last approx. 24 hours in this mode). The ultimate in electronic scent control.

Features 4 AAA battery operation (batteries not included) with a 120VAC plug in adapter or 12VDC vehicle adapter option (available separately in accessory pack). Multiple mode operating function and LED power/low battery indicator. Easy to clean. Accessories include a repositionable mounting strip and a convenient hanging strap.

 

[?Ms.LaLa?]

I need help.

Mmmh HUH! And the pièce de résistance: t038

ScenTote® Scent-Blocking Wheeled Duffel

I didn't see one of these on the actual ScenTote website (maybe that is why The Sportsman's Guide has it in the Clearance bin). Clearance price is $49.97, but I don't know anything about that site. I am just re-writing their info.

And, just so you know there are also army type duffels in this scent-loc stuff out there, as can be seen at http://www.thefind.com/search?query=scent+lok+duffel+bag .