How Not To Give Your Child An Eating Disorder
Posted on 06/18/2009 09:44 pm by kagranju
In my latest post over at my Babble blog, I’m for the first time spilling the whole truth about my rather exhausting struggle with food and weight “issues” over the years, and I’m asking for feedback from other mothers on how not to hand that particular family tradition down to my daughters.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, if anyone has any ideas on how to make my beloved, 10 year old Miele vaccuum cleaner stop spewing a noxious wet dog smell (probably developed after years of vigorously and faithfully ingesting what has probably amounted to three tons of dog hair from my floors and rugs) into the air every time I fire it up it lately, well, I’d love to get your thoughts on that as well. Because currently, my whole house smells pretty much like a giant, furry dog, and as much as I love my dogs, I am not digging the pungent canine aroma that seems to have settled over the entire house. This is definitely the sort of domestic management dilemma that a good home-ec teacher would be able to figure out, but I don’t know any to ask. I’ve tried changing the filter and spraying the interior of the vaccuum with Febreze, but the machine still blows out this disgustingly unappealing smell whenever I use it. There has to be some tried and true way to fix the problem. Or at least I really hope so.
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06/18/2009 at 10:09 pm
Try vaccuming up something that smells very good. and alot of it. Espically something liquid base.
06/18/2009 at 10:19 pm
I hear if you sprinkle baking soda before you vacuum that’ll do the trick, I have three dogs and have yet to try that but I have the same problem! It might fix the smell of the carpet, but I don’t know how that would fix the smell of the output air.
06/18/2009 at 10:26 pm
The baking soda should fix the smell of the output air, too. I have done the baking soda thing for years. There’s also an Arm n Hammer carpet spray that has a scent to it, but that works similarly with the odor. An added plus is that it serves to “release” the dog hair from the carpet and upholstery making it easier to vac it all up.
06/19/2009 at 9:23 am
I love my Miele too so I ccan completley understand however I have no idea what to do. I would probably call my local Miele dealer and ask for advice and or get a tune-up. Will head of to Babble as I feel my mom gave me a very good approach to food and dieting growing up.
06/19/2009 at 10:17 am
I would not recommend using a powder type deoderizer on the carpet itself; the dust often messes with the motor of the vaccum and shortens its life. Instead, try putting something inside the vaccum bag (or canister if there is not a bag) that will deoderize. I would also suggest you clean the inside of the canister/bag area with “oder ban” type cleaner. Allow the entire thing to dry thoroughly of course before using. I have heard positive results with baking soda, a tiny sprinkle of powdered laundry detergent, a cotten ball with lavender oil or the carpet fresh stuff. Also, with hairy dogs, you may need to clean the beater brush each time you vaccum. Good luck from your very own real life Home Ec teacher.