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How to fix your room after a sloppy night

Repel the smell

That unbearable stench can linger for days after a night of drinking. You know the stench. The one that no one can identify, but takes over the room and stays even after the trash is taken out.

One way to improve the smell in a room is to purchase a box of fabric softeners. Place the sheets in corners of the room, in front of air vents and in between cushions on the couch. Those thin, scented sheets work magic.

Joann Collier, a custodian at Ryerson, suggested purchasing Glade’s Melon Burst scented spray. She uses it on campus, which makes it bearable to clean the washrooms.

She also said to avoid partying in rooms with carpets. “They catch all kinds of germs and they stay there,” she said.

Another way to get rid of the smell is to make sure the room is properly ventilated. Collier pointed out the importance of opening windows. She said students can also try cooking at the same time, which will help circulate a smell other than the one from the night before.

—Amanda Cupido

You can be Mr. Clean

Forget OxyClean, Zout and Comet. All you need for a cleaner carpet are items found in your home. Whether something Pulp Fiction worthy went down last night, or you’re blaming it on the a-a-aa- a-alcohol, there’s no need to panic.

Soak the stain with cold water. Use paper towel and blot excess liquid away. Resist the urge to scrub, since that can damage carpet fibres and allow the stain to set. Then add the household item of preference. Choose from baking soda, vinegar, rubbing alcohol or shaving cream. After pouring on the stain, allow it to sit and dab the rest out.

If that doesn’t work, you can try a different tactic. Shake salt on the stain and put a piece of paper towel on it. Then add a heavy item, like that brand new textbook, on top of the paper towel. Let it sit for an hour and blot with cold water and vacuum.

Of course, if you live in residence, you can ignore it for the next seven months and leave it for the next poor sap to deal with. Worst case scenario, scream, “Screw you society, my carpet is my art,” and add sparkles or dried fruit to the stain.

—Brianna Shields

Smashed: you and your wall

Trying to cover up last night’s damage with a poster? No need to fret. After you read this, you’ll be able to get rid of that hole in a few easy steps.

For this process you will need a wall knife, a scraper, spackling drywall and sandpaper. Primer and paint are also required later on.

Begin by smoothing spackling across the hole with the scraper. If the cavity is big and hollow, place a dry wall patch on the wall beforehand.

The estimated drying time is 15 minutes for each two to three millimetres of depth. Make sure it dries properly.

Next, use the sandpaper to smooth the area. Be careful not to apply too much pressure during this step.

Then apply primer with the wall knife for a smooth texture. For best results, give the wall two days before adding a coat of paint.

Although the process may seem lengthy, it should take approximately two hours to get the job done, minus the waiting. Hopefully your parents won’t be home too soon.

—Sarah Nolan


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