The Soul has Bandaged moments –
When too appalled to stir –
She feels some ghastly Fright come up
And stop to look at her –
—Emily Dickinson
Oh yeah! You feel that?! That’s a ding dang cool breeze, my peeps! We made it through the drudgery of the stifling, wet heat of gross, musty-crevice-sweat summer and have landed in the delightful, skin-kissing-wisps of sweet air that accompany October in New Orleans. On Saturday the 10th, I’m looking forward to pouring one out to my mental health for World Mental Health Day! Y’all ever been mentally ill? Oh man, if so, you know it’s a wild ride. The brain is magnificent and mysterious, a magician who uses trickery to manipulate the eyes and ears of its audience. The synapses and formations of some brains create imaginings so convincing that the owners of this gray matter believe, become enthralled by, and are sometimes utterly paralyzed by these phantasmagorical flights of fancy. The first World Mental Health Day took place in 1992 and was the brainchild of Richard C. Hunter (RIP), the deputy secretary general of the World Federation for Mental Health. Hunter conceived the day as a global campaign that focused attention on a different mental health issue each year. This year’s theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.” The theme focuses on the importance of collaborating with people who have lived experience (PWLE) with mental health disorders. You can read a ton of books about bipolar II disorder for example, but if you ain’t experienced it first hand, you’re missing out on a vital perspective. One of the many important priorities for PWLE is moving away from long-stay, isolating psychiatric institutionalization to a more community-based approach to treatment of mental health problems. Over-institutionalization of the mentally ill (and otherwise disabled people) has always been a concern. Now more than ever it is vital to raise awareness about this issue, because the kind (joking) and rational (double joking) Trump administration is trying its damndest to reverse decades of positive strides made for Americans with disabilities by sneakily dismantling the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Terrifying. As a gal in a constant battle with an anxious, unpredictable mind that loves being an asshole to its owner nearly to the point of annihilation—and who has absolutely no shame in sharing this info about her mental illness game—I have a stake in these governmental policy shenanigans. So on October 10th, I hope that you’ll give some grace and a hug to yourself or someone you know who struggles with their mental health. If YOU are battling your mind, don’t be ashamed to talk about it or to ask for help if you need it. You deserve it. Cleaning questions and answers are below.
There is a big stain on my sofa, and it kind of stinks. Help!
Uh oh! I’ve been there. The route of this stain-removal journey depends on the cleaning code listed on the label of your sofa. “S” means that only solvent cleaners are allowed, no water. “W” (you guessed it) means that you can incorporate H2O into this cleaning equation. If you have an “S” situation on your hands, a good non-moist solvent is isopropyl alcohol. For this method, you’ll need a bunch of cotton balls or a small towel. You’ll want to test the alcohol trick on a non-obvious area of the sofa to ensure that the alcohol doesn’t change the color of the fabric. If it does, I highly suggest hiring an upholstery-cleaning company. If this couch is the love of your life, I’d hate to see you ruin it. If you’re clear to continue, pour some alcohol onto a cotton ball or towel. Dab the stain using a slight brushing motion until you see the stain start to disappear. Continue until the stain is gone. If you have that oh-so-welcome “W” label, you can utilize the most effective stain-remover—steam—for this task. But (and this is a big BUT) only use distilled water in the steamer. Tap and drinking water contain minerals which cause water spots and rings, therefore amplifying your problem instead of eliminating it. I hope that one of these suggestions helps you. Now for the stank. For my money, the most effective remedy for odor banishment is baking soda and the sun. The absorbing power of sweet, sweet sodium bicarbonate is second to none. This next suggestion is annoying, but I promise that it works wonders eliminating odors. Move that sofa into the sun, ma dude. The antimicrobial properties of UV rays will help with odor removal. Remove any cushions from the sofa if possible and place them on a sheet next to the sofa. Cover the sofa and cushions with baking soda. Leave them outside for 24 to 48 hours (and keep a couple of tarps handy for overnight and/or rain), then suck up all of the powder with a vacuum. Put your face next to the sofa and inhale. Does it still stink? If so, repeat this process. If the sofa still smells, you can mist it with a 1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar mixture (only if you have that “W” tag) and rub it with a lint-free rag in a brushing motion. Let this dry outside. After it is dry, use a soft upholstery brush to fluff the fabric. If you’d like your sofa to have a new, pleasant odor, I suggest making what I like to call Aunt Izzy’s New Pleasant Odor fabric spray. Add 20 drops of lemon essential oil to a spray bottle filled with 2 cups of witch hazel. Shake the bottle, stand about 3 feet away from the sofa, and spray the chair with this concoction. I hope one of these tips leaves you sittin’ pretty!
Got cleaning questions? Email isabel@antigravitymagazine.com
illustrations by Ben Claassen III
