Hit to the budget vent

[stacy347]

At some point this past year, DH spilled gas in the garage. He cleaned it up, but it seeped into the concrete and apparently the fumes permeated through several of my boxes of Christmas items.

All of my garland had to be tossed. I tried airing out and washing the stockings, but they all had to be tossed, and last night I got out the beautiful 7 ft. prelit tree that his parents gave us last year, and it just reeks of gas. I am going to try Febreze and airing it out, but the smell is unbearable right now.

I was able to get some cute Disney stockings at Dollar Tree, and some reasonably priced garland at WalMart, but if I can't get the smell out of the tree, I am going to be so bummed (not to mention having to break the news to his parents).

Thanks for letting me complain ~ I know there are way worse things people are dealing with during the holidays, but this just happened to come to my attention right after finding out that both of our cars need major repairs.
I'd prefer one hit to the budget at a time, LOL.

 

[Princess Nancy]

I did a quick search on Google.

Arm and Hammer also suggests using their product.

However it looks like several places suggest good old fashion airing it out. You still have time, maybe a week on the back porch or open in the garage will help!!

Good Luck! I feel for you!!

 

[stacy347]

Thanks, I am going to try airing it out this week and hope for the best. None of my Christmas stuff is going back in that stinky garage, LOL.

 

[DISdreamin']

You definitely want to air it out where it is warm, I'd think. Not too warm, of course, and it would need to be well ventilated, but if it is cold out in your area (forgot to check and can't see from the reply page) then airing it out in the garage may not do a whole lot of good.

ETA: So you're in Michigan...and it's cold. My guess is, if you air it out in the garage and then bring it into the warm house you might still have issues. If it were me and you have a guest bathroom (with a fan) that you can avoid using for a few days, I'd set the tree in there with the fan on and see what happens. Just my $0.02 FWIW.

 

[stacy347]

LOL, yep woke up to a balmy 29 degrees here this morning! Unfortunately, I don't have an extra indoor room to air it out. Maybe I'll have DH set it up in the enclosed back porch and see if that helps.
We have a chance of snow showers and rain showers this week, so outside isn't going to be practical.
Thanks for the tips ~ I'll try anything to keep from having to toss the darn thing!

 

[MineMail]

You don't have to set it up, unless it's an umbrella-style tree. You can just spread the pieces out on the enclosed porch and air them out.

I opened a Halloween box that DH brought down from the rafters. It must have been his late parents' stuff because everything was permeated with her unique scent of coffee, cigarettes and perfume. I tossed 90% of it in the outside trash bin and salvaged a few cute plastic items with soap&water.

Try some vinegar in dishes to offset the stench in the airing room.

Good luck.

 

[DISdreamin']

Okay, here's what I'm worried about. What I'm thinking is that it might be just hunky-dory after a while on the porch if it's cold, but when you bring it in the house it might smell really bad again because it may release more vapors at the higher temperature. That's why I suggested airing it out where it is warm (at least room temp).

Good luck, I hope it works out!

 

[C.Ann]

I would:

Air it out..

Spray the heck out of it with Febreeze for tough odors (pets, tobacco, etc.) I don't mean drench it to the point of being wet, but spray it good - every day - until the smell is gone or you're ready to have it set up..

Find some mesh-type material - or poke tiny holes in sandwich bags.. Fill them with baking soda and tie them on the tree in various spots.. Change every day..

I think it will be fine - because you still have a ways to go before Christmas.. Anything else that was ruined I would try to get at the Dollar Store.. Ornaments and such would be stuck in a garbage bag - with an open container of baking soda - as well as an open container (small bowl or something) of kitty litter - and changed frequently..

I really don't think this is a lost cause.. Good luck!

 

[stacy347]

Febreze, baking soda and vinegar ~ got it! Thanks, ladies!!

I'll be tackling it this weekend after I get back from a road trip to pick up my oldest from college for Thanksgiving break. I'll let you know how it turns out ~ thanks again!

 

[Sagginit]

also sunlight. furniture can outgas the chemicals used to make it. i saw on a green show that if you buy new furniture they recommend setting it out on the lawn in the sun for a few days after the plastic comes off to release the trapped in fumes (not all but a decent amount). at least you won't look so silly with a tree on your yard as a bedroom set.

 

[matt98378]

If you normally put lights on your tree, I would be very careful. The lights can get really hot and gas is obviously flammable. I don't know how much airing it out will help as far as the residue (if any) on it. I know they say that if you get gas on your clothes, that you are not supposed to put them in the dryer even after washing them... Just a thought...

 

[stacy347]

also sunlight. furniture can outgas the chemicals used to make it. i saw on a green show that if you buy new furniture they recommend setting it out on the lawn in the sun for a few days after the plastic comes off to release the trapped in fumes (not all but a decent amount). at least you won't look so silly with a tree on your yard as a bedroom set.

That gave me a good chuckle, thanks!

If you normally put lights on your tree, I would be very careful. The lights can get really hot and gas is obviously flammable. I don't know how much airing it out will help as far as the residue (if any) on it. I know they say that if you get gas on your clothes, that you are not supposed to put them in the dryer even after washing them... Just a thought...

This had crossed my mind. I am a worrier anyway, and the thought of it really creeps me out. It is actually a pre-lit tree, and I keep thinking, "How wise is it to use an electrical item that has been soaking up gas fumes?". But, at the same time, my thrifty self can't help but try to save it, LOL.
My second thought was that if we do get the smell out, but I'm still too nervous to use it, it may become a new Christmas piece for the back porch. I can decorate it really nice, but just not plug it in. At least that way it isn't ending up in a landfill, and it will be the first thing all of my guests see since that is where people enter.