Colliemom wrote: Barbie, rather than use water and vinegar, try Murphy’s Oil soap instead. It will make everything smell fresh and if the musty smell is still around, I would suspect the carpet.
I agree on both counts. I use Murphy's Oil Soap on my hardwood floors, on my wood cabinets (kitchen and bathroom) and on the ceramic tile floor in the kitchen. I have used it for years, and quite like it. If you can't find it at your local supermarket, my local Northern California Walmart carries it, so your local Walmart might carry it too.
I too would suspect the carpet (if there was furniture left from the previous owner, that might be it too). What you might try is renting one of those heavy-duty steam carpet cleaners at your local grocery store (what we have here is the "Rug Doctor") or hardware store. Also buy the carpet shampoo/cleaner that comes with it - the shampoo is heavy-duty. I have tried to go cheap on the shampoo, but have found that the stuff that comes with the machine works the best.
Sue:
This time of year I am always "dreaming of a white Christmas". The last time I probably had one was when I was about three years old in Kansas City, Missouri, before my family moved to California. I can still remember the snow (and hopping from adult footprint to footprint because I was too light and small to make my own) but only just.
It is a good memory.
I would love to be somewhere at Christmas time where I could sit by the window and watch the snow fall outside. I lived in the Sierra foothills of California for about 30 years, and only one year out of all that time - I was always waiting and hoping - did it finally snow on Christmas (although it did snow at other times during the winter - usually in February).
The year that I remember it snowed in the early morning, but by the time my kids got up the snow had stopped, the sun was out, and the light dusting that had been on the ground had already melted.
Strangely enough, I had always had a premonition that if it ever actually did snow on Christmas, it would be the last Christmas we three (myself and my two kids) would all be together in the house. Interestingly, this turned out to be the case. By the next year my kids were off to college, and never again have we ever spent a Christmas together there.
What area of Michigan is it that you live in?
I know you have told me before, but I forget.
I need to get on Zillow to do a little dreaming.
Thanks.
Anne