Advice for removing musty smell from vtg bag

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#16
bmarie11 said:
This may be the same as charcoal? I've used odor eaters - those shoe inserts for smelly feet, put one in a musty bag sometimes with a dryer sheet and fill up the leftover space with crumpled newspapers which also absorb odors. You can change out the newspapers every couple of days.
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Thank you for the information but this is an older thread, but I have successfully used charcoal filters designed for an aquarium with bags that had a cigarette smell.


The problem with the Cashin for Meyers bag was that it had mildewed, but I was able to rehab it and get rid of the nasty smell:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/cashin-for-meyers-bag-rehab-pics-614535.html
 
#17
Dryer sheets! It may take up to several weeks to eliminate the odor. I'll put 3 or 4 at a time depending on how strong the smell is. It works for cigarette smell and musty odors. I've tried different kinds of sheets and the best BY FAR is Bounce. I hope this helps.
 
#18
Oh, one more idea that I've done. If the interior lining is cloth and you have a dry cleaners that you totally have confidence in, you can ask that they ONLY dry clean the interior lining. Not only does it clean out any stains that might be inside but it refreshes the bag. I usually pay about $35 at my cleaners to clean the interior of my designer bags.
 
#20
It could mean mold but it could also just be a musty odor, like cigarettes that needs to be aired out. I have posted in the past that I use fabric softener sheets on my purses with odor and that helps a lot. Also the sry cleaning of the bag is also very helpful.
 
#22
Something my husband uses in both his and our son's shoes are those little silicone packs that come in shoeboxes and handbags? The ones that say "DO NOT EAT" on them. They get out ALL the smells! He puts several in each pair and it works like a charm!
 
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#23
Yes, I agree those silicone packs do work well.

I remembered a trick a friend of mine uses on her sons stinky soccer shoes,(I know-gross right?). Anyway, she puts a few drops of tea tree essential oil inside the soles and she says it takes all odor away instantly. Well maybe it doesn't remove the odor but helps cover it up. Of course no one in their right mind would want tree tea oil or any oil on the lining of a bag so maybe put a few drops on a tissue and drop it in bag to see if the scent will permeate into the fabric. Just a thought....
 
#24
I freshened a musty bag by putting it in a small plastic tote with a jar or damp rid for several days. The damp rid was scented and it left the bag smelling like it which wasn’t ideal but the musty odor was completely gone. I would use the non scented kind if I had to do it again.
 
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