How to get cigarette smoke smell out of comforter?

[punkin]

I don't know why you got that impression. She didn't say that. She didnt say anything close to that.

In fact, she stated the opposite.

You were very harsh for absolutely no reason.

If I had to pick someone to entrust a child to, just based on this thread, I'd pick the OP before you.

Somehow I doubt that particular poster ever even considered being a foster parent. Used kids...yuck!

 

[herdtoDisney]

These kids have, for whatever reason, been taken away from their original families, have no personal belongings and possibly gone from house to house. Why can't they be allowed to pick out new, something they may never have owned, items that will be theirs?

I would never buy a used item, such as a sofa, carpet, stuffed animal or comforter that can hold bugs and odors.

Are they getting used underwear too? You are storing clothes in a storage shed?

When the kid leaves you home are you going to make them leave all of your bought stuff behind?

Wow. I guess you don't know much about foster parenting. If you did, you'd know that there is often VERY short notice that the child is arriving at your home. And the arrival may be late at night. You need to have something all set up. What are you going to say-'I know you've just been removed from your family and it's 10 pm, but we have to go out and get you bedding before you can sleep'?

I was a foster parent for a little while. Our foster dd used the cute toddler bed bedding my dd's had used. She loved her bed. She also left with a ton of brand new clothes, new toys and books too. But we didn't get it all the first night.

OP, good luck in your foster care journey! Although I only did it briefly, I am glad I was there for a kid who needed me.

 

[torinsmom]

Now that I think about it, the bedspread on my bed is also from the thrift shop. I have bought sheets for my bed as well, but haven't found a good set of queen sheets that will fit a pillowtop lately. I bought towels a few weeks ago--the thick bath sheets that sell for $15 for $1.29. Someone must have changed their color scheme because they were in amazing condition. I don't know what the big deal is when you can wash something. For years, I bought my son's clothes there and then passed them on to my sister, who has boys 2 and 4 years younger than my son. And I can assure you that none of the kids have suffered for it. I have requested kids aged 0-5, so I can't imagine they will care whether their clothes have tags on them.

 

[amg35]

You know, it was possible to just post something in the lines of, "I just bought a secondhand comforter, I didn't realize how badly it smells of smoke, anyone know how to get the smell out?" Why not just google it?

Why even bring the foster child into the question? Unless, of course, you wanted a pat on the back.

Instead of looking and coming across all noble and kind, original poster, it looks like you don't care if a child has to sleep with stinky bedding. Why not give it to your own child, if it's so great now? Or put it on your own bed, and give up your own comforter to the child?

Good luck.

uh oh, tough talk on the internet, how novel! (suppose you want a pat on the back for that) I'm sure you'll say you would say this in person too, but guess what, that's not any better!

Good luck OP, you are doing something I could never do.

 

[S. C.]

I shop at thrift stores and yard sales all the time but I draw the line at used bedding. Nevernevernever. ICK!

I would never feel comfortable having my kids-foster, whatever-sleep with used bedding. I'd scrape together $20 somehow and buy new.

So everytime you go and stay at a hotel you take new bedding with you? While your at it don't forget to throw that brand new mattress over your shoulder, would hate for you to sleep on anything used.

Me three.

...and I think OP deserves a pat on the back!!!

 

[MIGrandma]

I can't believe how nasty some posters are being.

Oh, I can believe it. There are a couple here who seem to enjoy being nasty to other posters.

I think the OP does deserve a "pat on back" for opening her home to foster children. I know I do not have the patience to ever do that, and I commend her greatly for doing so.

Personally, I don't think a child coming from a horrible home situation is even going to care that the comforter on their bed is brand new or gently used from a thrift store. Not everyone can afford to buy brand new things all the time, and she did say her own children wear thrift store clothes so I guess I don't see what is so wrong in her buying things for the foster child from a thrift store.

Heck, my DIL takes her two daughters and her three step-children (my grandchildren) to Goodwill in several locations and other thrift stores too and the kids are thrilled to be able to get many clothing items for such little money. In fact, they would prefer to shop in those stores rather than get something "brand new" and have to pay a lot more for it.

There is nothing wrong with shopping in stores like Goodwill.

OP, I hope you were able to take the suggestions from the COMPASIONATE posters that were truly trying to help you out and answer your question and get the smoke smell out of the comforter. And good luck with your new foster child, I think it's WONDERFUL that you open your home and heart to less fortunate children.

 

[RunningGirl]

So everytime you go and stay at a hotel you take new bedding with you? While your at it don't forget to throw that brand new mattress over your shoulder, would hate for you to sleep on anything used.

MTE.

And I'm willing to offer the OP a pat on the back. I admire people that step up to the plate and put their money where their mouth is.

 

[clm10308]

Wow, I buy used stuff for my kids sometimes and they don't care. In our small town there are many people who get most all of their clothing from the local church rummage sale 2xs a year.

Have you tried taking the comforter to a Cleaners? Anything larger than twin size will not fit in my washer and has to go to the Cleaners anyway. You can tell them about the a ell and see what they can do.

 

[torinsmom]

It's a twin size and I got the smell out with borax and vinegar, thanks to helpful posters here.

 

[shortbun]

It's a twin size and I got the smell out with borax and vinegar, thanks to helpful posters here.

I recommend you seal it in a garbage bag for a couple days to make sure it's really gone. Something about that stubborn smoke that takes several treatments. Humidity might bring it out too. You have plenty of time to keep treating it though.

 

[aprilgail2]

Foster parents here for a child 0-5 get a whopping 30.66 a month for clothing allowance- not to much! They do get 533.00 a month for a child that age to be used for everything else. The older the child the more the county pays since it costs more to raise them- a 12 year old would get 727.00. I am retiring soon and was looking into getting certified as a foster parent if all goes according to plan. But the state also pays for summer camp, all school supplies and field trips etc. Sure wouldn't do it to make money LOL-I know me and it would cost me money by the time all the weekend movies, amusement parks and fun things were done ! But it seems they do take the childs point of view in consideration regarding clothing bought-

A. Department regulations require that for each child in foster care, the social services district shall:

determine clothing needs upon admission to care; and
authorize allowances to buy necessary clothing.

B. When a child is placed in foster care, the caseworker from the district or voluntary agency (if a voluntary agency has the planning responsibility) must review the child’s wardrobe with the foster parents and with the child. Together, they should determine the adequacy of the child’s clothing.

 

[Buckalew11]

Thanks! This has been on my heart for years, but I feel like I am finally ready to do it. I see it as a way to help not only the child, but the bio family as well. I am assuming many of them will be younger than me(I'm 41) and maybe I can be a role model in their lives as well. I can't wait to meet my foster child



In our foster care class, we were told our state no longer provides clothing vouchers. They suggest you have some basic clothing in different sizes available to help until you are able to go shopping. They don't provide car seats or boosters either, so I may need to buy a car seat as well. That I would only buy new unless a close friend or family member was done with one that was not expired and had not been in an accident. I have a booster seat, as I baby sit every afternoon.



Yes, the vinegar along with borax worked. I can't smell a thing, and I am very sensitive to cigarette smoke.

I understand that some people are thinking of how there are foster parents who do it for the money and treat the kids badly. Unfortunately, you don't know me. I became a teacher because I love kids. I always thought I'd have more, but after a divorce when my son was 3, I never remarried. I see this as a way to feed my need to nurture and eventually, to add to my family, as well as help a child in need. I plan to spoil these kids, but that doesn't mean I will buy them brand new things every day. It means I will shower them with love and help them learn to trust and love, despite what has happened in their lives. I will help them see that things can change for the better. I hope to send them back to their home stronger and happier than when they left. Maybe this is a fantasy, but I am going to try.

I think you are going to make a difference in a child's life.

Best of luck to you!

 

[torinsmom]

Foster parents here for a child 0-5 get a whopping 30.66 a month for clothing allowance- not to much! They do get 533.00 a month for a child that age to be used for everything else. The older the child the more the county pays since it costs more to raise them- a 12 year old would get 727.00. I am retiring soon and was looking into getting certified as a foster parent if all goes according to plan. But the state also pays for summer camp, all school supplies and field trips etc. Sure wouldn't do it to make money LOL-I know me and it would cost me money by the time all the weekend movies, amusement parks and fun things were done ! But it seems they do take the childs point of view in consideration regarding clothing bought-

A. Department regulations require that for each child in foster care, the social services district shall:

determine clothing needs upon admission to care; and
authorize allowances to buy necessary clothing.

B. When a child is placed in foster care, the caseworker from the district or voluntary agency (if a voluntary agency has the planning responsibility) must review the child’s wardrobe with the foster parents and with the child. Together, they should determine the adequacy of the child’s clothing.

Here it is $475/month for a child 0-5, no extra allowance for clothing. If the child is an infant, I believe I would get WIC for their formula, but not totally sure.

 

[aprilgail2]

Here it is $475/month for a child 0-5, no extra allowance for clothing. If the child is an infant, I believe I would get WIC for their formula, but not totally sure.

They also get 56.00 a month for diapers here if the child is in diapers.

 

[ShesAPirate]

I don't usually comment on threads that irk me (because it's the internet and it's silly to get mad about things on the internet) but I have to chime in on this one.

-OP, congratulations on the new addition to your family. And for giving a home to a child in need. Glad the vinegar and Borax got the smoke out of the comforter. As an ex-smoker, I know how difficult it can be to get rid of that smell -- but it is absolutely possible, contrary to some people's beliefs.

-I'm astounded by how judgmental people are... just astounded

-I have found that whenever I read a post that stuns or angers me with it's content, the same screen names are attached to them, over and over again, on tons of different threads with wildly varying topics. I guess you actually can learn things about people via message boards.

Again, OP, I commend you!

 

[punkin]

-I have found that whenever I read a post that stuns or angers me with it's content, the same screen names are attached to them, over and over again, on tons of different threads with wildly varying topics.

Yes, I have often noticed that too.

About getting paid to be a foster parent...given the amount of money provided and the attendant problems, I can't see how or why anyone would do it only for the money.

My niece is with me for the summer (and possibly she will stay for school too-it hasn't been decided yet). She came to me with all her clothes and I am still spending extra money on her for little things and, believe me they add up. Now, granted, I am not getting anything from the state, but even if I was...she eats, she needs clothes, she needs activities, she needs school supplies, she needs transportation.

I'm just surprised foster parents aren't generally running a deficit on the children they take in.

 

[torinsmom]

Yes, I have often noticed that too.

About getting paid to be a foster parent...given the amount of money provided and the attendant problems, I can't see how or why anyone would do it only for the money.

My niece is with me for the summer (and possibly she will stay for school too-it hasn't been decided yet). She came to me with all her clothes and I am still spending extra money on her for little things and, believe me they add up. Now, granted, I am not getting anything from the state, but even if I was...she eats, she needs clothes, she needs activities, she needs school supplies, she needs transportation.

I'm just surprised foster parents aren't generally running a deficit on the children they take in.

I would never do foster care for the money. Like you said, it really is not enough to take care of a child. With foster care, there is also a huge time commitment--children need to be taken to meetings with their parents, therapy sessions, etc. in addition to other activities. I had to wait until I made enough money to not have a second job, so I could spend time with a child and also be free to take them wherever they need to go. I also had to get to a place in my heart where I feel like I can love a child with all I have, despite the fact that I will most likely have to let them go. It has been about a 7 year journey to get all those things in line.