Getting Rid of Bad Smells

Our home has just recovered from several days of the stomach flu.  All four of us had it to varying degrees of severity, but our one-year-old had the worst of it.  Sadness all around.  On Thursday, I was home with said one-year-old, and I happened to see Spencer from Little Green Men.  I tried not to say anything that would scare him out of having children himself, but did ask for his recommendation for getting a bad smell out of a carpet.

He gave me the usual advice about baking soda and a vacuum cleaner.  We’d done that with some effect, but needed something stronger.  He suggested we try a product called Bac Out, made by Biokleen.  He mentioned it could be found at Whole Foods, though I also found it later that afternoon at Yes Organic (of eating organic on a budget fame).  Biokleen alleges this product to be safe for birds, pets, and people, but not for bad smells.  Just what I was looking for.

It worked great.  It definitely made everyone sneeze just a little bit, and it left a lemony smell of its own, but our house no longer smells like the flu.  Luckily, the last couple days have been beautiful, so we’ve left all the windows open.  Feels like spring in DC to me.  Thanks, Spencer!  Any other suggestions for getting rid of bad smells, particularly those associated with a sick kid?

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