Can I salvage this musty, stinky bag?

[combatwombat]

Apologies that this isn't actually a Minkoff-specific question, but I know a lot of us here regularly cruise Posh/eBay/etc for older bags and may have some insights, and I consider this my home board/handbag safe space. I recently received a bag from a Posher that smelled before it was even out of the mailer. It's clear it's been stored somewhere damp, and it has a strong mildew odor, strong enough that I've banished it to the garage. There's no visible signs of damage aside from the inner lining sticking to itself (weird?). I paid like $8 for it so I *could* chuck it if I had to, but I'd like to try to salvage it.

Here's the bag in question, a metallic HH Lorca (um, I guess we'll pretend it's a mini Nikki?):


The Internet says I should attack it with white vinegar, but that seems too harsh for the metallic leather. Any advice?



Even Butters wanted to get away from it!

 

[sdkitty]

there are multiple threads on this subject
here is one

Thread 'Advice to get smell out of bag....'

Mar 7, 2014

I have read several threads on dealing with a smelly bag, but I need some additional advice. I bought a Chelsea Flagship tote on Ebay in great condition, but the inside smells very weird. I don't know if it is that person's house smell, something they put in the bag, or what, but I hate it.

I have tried baking soda, dryer sheets, and that didn't do a thing. I hate Febreze but I got desperate today and am trying that, but if it works, I will then have to get the Febreze smell out...I was mainly hoping it would eliminate some of the original odor.

I am trying coffee right now, and...

• Alexa5
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Coach

 

[whateve]

Apologies that this isn't actually a Minkoff-specific question, but I know a lot of us here regularly cruise Posh/eBay/etc for older bags and may have some insights, and I consider this my home board/handbag safe space. I recently received a bag from a Posher that smelled before it was even out of the mailer. It's clear it's been stored somewhere damp, and it has a strong mildew odor, strong enough that I've banished it to the garage. There's no visible signs of damage aside from the inner lining sticking to itself (weird?). I paid like $8 for it so I *could* chuck it if I had to, but I'd like to try to salvage it.

Here's the bag in question, a metallic HH Lorca (um, I guess we'll pretend it's a mini Nikki?):
View attachment 6157549

The Internet says I should attack it with white vinegar, but that seems too harsh for the metallic leather. Any advice?

View attachment 6157550View attachment 6157551

Even Butters wanted to get away from it!

Put it out in the sun. Sun will kill mold. It could still smell even if the mold is dead.

Ask also on the Coach rehab thread. It is very active and several of the people there have dealt with this problem.

 

[watsoex]

I’ve recently read on Instagram that putting an open plastic ziplock bag full of tea leaves in & sealing it helps a ton.
I haven’t tested that out yet though and would be interested to see if it works.
Sounds much better than using white vinegar

 

[ladyglen]

just got a Falchi vtg and the musty smell is there
using those charcoal bags
it's on me as Ididn't check for smell b4 buying

there's a thread on reddit for this too