Cardboard Box musty smell Removal

[Mark Gregory]

Someone on this Forum a few years ago suggested using Rubbing Alcohol to remove a musty smell from books and boxes ? ?  ?

I think it was enclose it in a plastic bag with a dish of Alcohol for a few days ?

What was the Type of Alcohol ?

Thanks 

I was given this and it has a Musty smell . I would have died to own this in 1963 .

 

http://tri-ang.weebly.com/transcontinental-sets-rs13.html

Edited November 22, 2017 by Mark Gregory (see edit history)

[Bhigdog]

Instead of asking here for advice, possibly bad, I would query a reputable agency. Maybe the Smithsonion would be willing to help...........Bob

[capngrog]

I'll bet that the folks at the AACA Library will be able to help you out with your problem.  I'm sure that they deal with musty-smelling publications on a regular basis.  Let us know how you make out with this.

 

Cheers,

Grog

[auburnseeker]

I've boxed up old parts in the original rather questionable  (way beyond musty, bordering on mouse infested and covered with mold)  packaging with fabric softener sheets before.  When I took the parts out a year or so later to actually go through it Seemed to help as long as you pick a smell of fabric softener sheet you like.   These were totes with mesh style bottoms so they weren't completely sealed. 

Really cool train set by the way. 

[Frank DuVal]

Sunshine! 

 

Not quick, and course if it rains while waiting for the sunshine to work, start over....

 

 

[Real Steel]

2 hours ago, Mark Gregory said:

Someone on this Forum a few years ago suggested using Rubbing Alcohol to remove a musty smell from books and boxes ? ?  ?

I think it was enclose it in a plastic bag with a dish of Alcohol for a few days ?

What was the Type of Alcohol ?

Thanks 

I was given this and it has a Musty smell . I would have died to own this in 1963 .

 

http://tri-ang.weebly.com/transcontinental-sets-rs13.html

 

Household ammonia 

[Ozstatman]

"I would have died to own this in 1963 ."

 

Did own one of these sets back in '63! Was sold a few years later to help finance car stuff.

[Spinneyhill]

Musty smell = damp. Take the train out and separate all paper elements as far as possible. Dry it out. Air it. Stand in an airy, dry place. Put desiccant pouches in it. Place on a bed of kitty litter.

 

The www has plenty of advice for you on this topic.

[Hudsy Wudsy]

Yes, mildew hates alcohol. If you want, you can Google mold vs mildew. They're related, but different.

[Mark Gregory]

Thanks everyone I tried the www route first but could not get a straight answer . I trust the advice I get on this Forum even if it is not car related . I will proceed with the recommendations . I will also contact the AACA Library  and Smithsonian which is a good thought . They must deal with this on a daily basis . Yes I have given up a lot over the years for my old cars .

[CarNucopia]

That was my post. I use 91% isopropyl alcohol.

 

Here’s the thread: 

 

Edited November 22, 2017 by Buick64C
Add link (see edit history)

[Bhigdog]

2 hours ago, Mark Gregory said:

Thanks everyone I tried the www route first but could not get a straight answer . I trust the advice I get on this Forum even if it is not car related . I will proceed with the recommendations . I will also contact the AACA Library  and Smithsonian which is a good thought . They must deal with this on a daily basis . Yes I have given up a lot over the years for my old cars .

 

Besides removing the smell you want to be careful not to degrade or bleach out the terrific graphics. Trial and error could be a poor choice. Be patient and check with the expert conservators.................Bob

[Hudsy Wudsy]

Buick64C, I remembered your post, but couldn't remember who to attribute it too.

[60FlatTop]

Just out of curiosity, are you inquiring because the same Wife who wants you to move the REO is complaining about the smell of the box?

 

Or am I just imagining a pattern starting?

 

Bernie

[Tim Wolfe]

An Ozone machine will remove that odor, we've used it in cars that had dead mice in them and to remove smoke odor from a home. Small ones sell on amazon or ebay. Some rental services rent them too.

[mikewest]

Put in a freezer for a week or so.

[Bhigdog]

5 minutes ago, Tim Wolfe said:

An Ozone machine will remove that odor, we've used it in cars that had dead mice in them and to remove smoke odor from a home. Small ones sell on amazon or ebay. Some rental services rent them too.

 

Ozone is a bleaching agent................Bob

[ejboyd5]

EtOH, ingested in sufficient quantity, will dull you senses to pesky mustiness.  Repeat as necessary. 

[Tim Wolfe]

Do a search on ozone generator, it lists what odors it will remove and any harmful effects. I have never had any problems, but you wouldn't want to spend time in a room or car with the machine running. They do work.

[Spinneyhill]

Tri-oxygen = ozone is a powerful oxidant so if you mess with it, be very careful. It is hard on mucous membranes too.

[Frank DuVal]

Ozone-smells like electric trains.  One needs to be of a certain age to understand this statement.

[Bhigdog]

1 hour ago, Frank DuVal said:

Ozone-smells like electric trains.  One needs to be of a certain age to understand this statement.

 

Ah yes. The crackle of electricity. The flickering light of sparks. A brief whiff of ozone. Ain't it grand...................Bob

Edited November 25, 2017 by Bhigdog (see edit history)

[Spinneyhill]

We used to have photocopiers/printers at work that smelt pretty strongly of ozone.

[Harold]

8 hours ago, Spinneyhill said:

We used to have photocopiers/printers at work that smelt pretty strongly of ozone.

If from 1970's, were they 'Qyx' machines? 

[Spinneyhill]

Haven't come across that brand. I think the office had one enormous Xerox with a curved glass platten in those days, guarded by Miss Ferguson, the typing Nazi. It must have been c. 1989-90 but the brand escapes me. It was unpleasant to be near.

[60FlatTop]

So my Wife looks over at me from her chair and says "Is that a book you just bought or one you had out in the garage for a long time?"

 

At least she laughed when I came back from the bathroom and she dodged the bottle of her hand lotion.

Bernie

Edited November 26, 2017 by 60FlatTop (see edit history)

[Hudsy Wudsy]

On ‎11‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 4:15 PM, mikewest said:

Put in a freezer for a week or so.

I left some musty old magazines spread out in the attic of my garage for the whole of last winter here in MN hoping that would at least diminish the mildew odor somewhat. It didn't.

Edited November 27, 2017 by Hudsy Wudsy (see edit history)