Dust, Smoke, Mould, Pet Fur and Other Debris What’s inside the box? Buying previously loved jigsaw puzzles can be hazardous with all kinds of contaminants so one must be mindful when opening that box! For the majority of the time, the prognosis is pretty good however, there are occasions when the inside condition leaves very little to be desired. Jigsaw puzzles last for years and are prone to all kinds of elements from musty storage smells in attics to musky moist smells in basements or garages. Some get swollen from moisture, some get greasy from food and some have an extreme amount of puzzle dust inside the bag or box. That’s due to the pieces actually breaking down. You may also find other foreign objects like pieces of food, a tiny toy figurine, stamps, pet fur. These items and smells can lead to some real allergic triggers! Jigsaw Puzzlers have some tips here to help you deal with puzzle dust and smokey, mouldy smelling jigsaw puzzles. Puzzle Dust · Place the puzzle pieces into a large strainer, the type with the wire mesh and sift the pieces either outside or over the garbage · Put the puzzle piece into a laundry garment bag that has the holes and shake well over the garbage bin or outside · Use a hand held mini-vac to clean up puzzle area and/or puzzle dust inside the puzzle box · If there is a lot of dust, a mask should be worn Musty, Musky Scents Here are some of the Jigsaw Puzzler's tips and tricks but keep in mind that it really is going to depend on the strength of the scent and whether it is embedded into the puzzle piece board or just surface smells due to the gloss on the pieces. However, IF you are allergic, then it may be in your best 'health' interests to not attempt to resolve the issue and move on to a different puzzle. Try some of the tips if your jigsaw puzzle pieces have any of the following situations: Color ink scent Cigarette smoke Mould or mildew smells Burnt smoke Damp puzzle pieces
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PUZZLE HOBBY TIPS AND TRICKS
