Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: I went on vacation and accidentally left a bag of potatoes in my kitchen cabinet. When I returned, the potatoes had rotted and left a really bad smell in the house. The smell in the house has gone, but I cannot get it out of the cabinet. I have tried scrubbing the cabinet with several cleaning products, but to no avail. Do you have any suggestions? – Christina Sidebottom, Westerville, Ohio

Christina, you are right – rotted potatoes create a horrible odor! Here are a few things you can try:

Wipe down the area with vinegar and let air-dry by leaving the doors open. You might have to do this three times or more. If it doesn’t work, you will need to visit a home-improvement store where paint that seals odors is sold. Follow the directions exactly, and this should solve your problem. Good luck! – Heloise