DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you recommend a product or a procedure that would remove mothball odor from clothing?

I was given a beautiful trenchcoat made of 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton which I cannot rid of mothball odor. I have washed it five times, hung it outdoors for six months, saturated it inside and out with Febreze four times, and even covered it with ground coffee beans and placed it in an enclosed container for two weeks, as a magazine article suggest to eliminate musty odors from clothing.

Nothing has worked. Thank you. — Claudette, cjthing@maine.rr.com

ANSWER: The only thing Sun Spots can think of to use that you haven’t tried is activated charcoal. It’s used in fish tanks and things like Odor Eaters. You can buy it in granular form.

You might try using a cardboard box with enough room for air circulation, lay the coat out and sprinkle the charcoal underneath, on each layer and on the top of it, too, and leave it there for a while. 

Don’t use a rubber bin for this procedure. Sun Spots did and now has a bin that reeks of mothballs.

Sun Spots had a wool coat with the same problem. The smell did eventually dissipate. But perhaps the polyester (just the like the rubber bin) is holding the smell more than a natural fiber would?

Guess this is one case where the cure (mothballs) is worse than the disease (moths).

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I write in quest of a piano teacher for my 9-year-old grandson, who lives in Auburn. He is a very motivated young man, and I want to help him achieve his goal of learning to play. Thank you. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots has the following piano teachers in her Rolodex. If anyone wants to be added or have their information updated, please email sunspots@sunjournal.com.

* Margarita Aseyeva, “Ms. Margaret,” 207-241-0024, ms.margaret.piano@gmail.com.

* Cynthia Clark-Bulger, teaches voice and piano, Rumford, 207-364-3150, crosswinds1111@myfairpoint.net

* Rachel Eastman Feeley and daughter, Studio 88 Music School, Auburn, studio88music@aol.com, 783-0465 (also teach violin and trained in Suzuki talent education method)

* Jerol Ellis, Livermore Falls, 713-5525, 55atoz@myfairpoint.net

* Joan Hamann, Greene, rjhamann@aol.com, 375-4883

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you for your continued community support! We always have a great response when we list our community events in Sun Spots.

The United New Auburn Association is currently raising funds toward renovating a popcorn truck.

For that effort we are looking for returnable bottles and cans.

We are also having a special event Wednesday, Aug. 13, in the parking lot of Rolly’s Diner, New Auburn Village. Beginning at dusk, we will have a tethered balloon glow that will light up the sky.

Marshall’s popcorn truck will be there for young and old to see, and we will be offering popcorn as a treat. Donations accepted.

For more information, contact Leroy Walker at 577-2694. See you there. — Kathy Shaw, chickfarma@yahoo.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A Sumner Scholarship Fund bottle drive will take place Saturday, Sept. 6.

Volunteers will drive through Sumner between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to pick up redeemable bottles. — Arlene Silverman, arihenri@oxfordnetworks.net

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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