Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To admit things got really out of control

52 replies

amberhills · 27/12/2015 17:24

Not just over Christmas (understandable?) but all of 2015 really. I was living knee deep in shit.

I'm so proud and I think I've sorted most of it

What I'm most ashamed of is a lingering smell of animal waste, I ordered something meant to remove it but it hasn't worked - any tips? :(

OP posts:
LimitedSedition · 27/12/2015 17:58

Might you be able to get an offcut roll of vinyl flooring from your local carpet shop- depending on the measurements etc, that's usually pretty easy to fit.

gamerchick · 27/12/2015 17:59

If you can't rip it up then you could seal it with something and then cover it up with tiles. You shouldn't be able to smell anything then.

deadrat · 27/12/2015 18:04

I saw it on Sarah Beeny once, what you need is an 'odour neutraliser' - works differently to bleach etc. Try googling. Best of luck

TheBunnyOfDoom · 27/12/2015 18:38

You can buy spray to de-odorise cat litter, might be worth a shot? Then cover up the cork with something that won't soak up urine?

Well done on turning things around Flowers

NeedsAsockamnesty · 27/12/2015 19:13

Do not use the self stick tiles, the effort involved to remove them is a bloody nightmare

Original poster
amberhills · 27/12/2015 19:13

Thank you, I bought spray from Amazon but I don't think it really worked.

OP posts:
YBR · 27/12/2015 19:13

There are laminates suitable for a bathroom, but not all are. Bathroom ones may be more expensive. Check what the packet says.
Probably a decent vinyl is a better solution, and depending on the size/shape of your bathroom you may get an offcut to do it.

Don't do gamerchick's cover-up thing. You'll never get it fully sealed and it will get really rank under the tiles, which sooner or later you'll end up removing.

Original poster
amberhills · 27/12/2015 19:17

Thanks - confused now - ultimately I think tiles would be best but I lack confidence tiling. So need to wait until I've enough money to pay someone to do it Blush

OP posts:
YBR · 27/12/2015 19:32

So for tiles rip up the cork and treat the area within an inch of it's life first, rather than covering over it. Simples!
(but I agree getting tiling right is going to be harder than laminate).

Norest · 27/12/2015 19:36

When my cat sprayed in my bedroom we used white vinegar and put bicarbonate of soda on it overnight. It all soaked into the bicarb and the smell was removed. Might be worth giving this a try, as it is a cheap solution, not sure how well it will work on cork flooring though.

HPsauciness · 27/12/2015 19:49

You have to get rid of the cork, I bought a house with old cork tiles in the bathroom and the stench was terrible, when we did dig them up, they smelt so bad, there was no product on earth that could have shifted it or disguised the smell as they are porous and trap the odour.

I would try and prise one up and see what is underneath, it may be if it is concrete, this will have to be laid again to make it flat, you can then put laminate or vinyl roll on the top, it doesn't have to be fancy, just fresh and bright.

greenfolder · 27/12/2015 19:52

www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/homebase-vinyl-plank-flooring---forest-oak---195sq-m-306743 Is similar to what we used. If you can lay laminate you can do that x

MostlyFine · 27/12/2015 19:53

Well done you! You should indeed be proud of yourself... it is immensely hard to get back on track when life gets in the way and we let things go, your strength is impressive.

No practical advice here other than approach a cheap laminate place as they usually have small off cuts for a good price. My bathroom is small and I got laminate for £28 super easy to put down.

knobblyknee · 27/12/2015 19:59

You laid your own laminate? I'd last about 5 minutes before weeping unctontrollably! I can do flatpack if every bugger lets me get on with it Grin

As for the cork, you can try 2 teaspoons of bicarbonate dissolved in one pint of hot water.

Here's to 2016 Flowers

GloGirl · 27/12/2015 20:17

I wouldn't use laminate in a bathroom. I'd put down cheap lino.

GloGirl · 27/12/2015 20:17

PS - Big congratulations Flowers

Booboostwo · 27/12/2015 20:19

The new enzyme cleaners like Simple Solution are incredible. We had a make cat who peed on the sofa for a year and I thought I would have to throw the whole thing away but the smell was completely gone after soaking everything in the enzyme cleaner. Can't recommend it enough.

Stampynono · 27/12/2015 20:30

I laid pound shop self adhesive tiles in my hall and it was fine. If you can lay laminate you can DO ANYTHING Smile

Original poster
amberhills · 27/12/2015 20:37

I am so grateful no one is judging me Flowers

OP posts:
Baressentials · 27/12/2015 20:50

I certainly won't judge you, but I may ask you for tips on flooring! Grin I have no flooring in my house and can't afford any.
I have been there where things have got ontop of me. But it is fantastic you are moving forwards and sorting things out.
Flowers

MistressMerryWeather · 27/12/2015 20:52

You could try this?

I have never used it but the reviews are good. It's worth a try until you can get some new flooring.

You should be really, really proud of yourself amber.

Original poster
amberhills · 27/12/2015 20:54

Hehe that's what I bought Grin

It has worked in that it's definitely better but it has not gone yet.

OP posts:
Crazybaglady · 27/12/2015 21:02

Well done! Best of luck getting the smell gone! Very envious of your floor laying skills!

GeekLove · 27/12/2015 21:12

If you are using enzyme cleaners, use suitable PPE (gloves, aprons goggles) as it will go for your skin as well as the stench.

bettyberry · 27/12/2015 21:25

go for vinyl sheet in the bathroom. So much more water than anywhere else and after you've treated the floor under the cork with the stain/odour stuff it will cover any lingering scent. Use newspaper to make a template of the floor then draw it on your sheet. It's a lot cheaper and easier to work with and you can get some good no slip stuff too. Just make sure you seal the edges with silicon. Youtube will help there too.