How does one kill the mold in a bag then? I can't see it, I am not even sure there is mold in them, but there HAS to be, otherwise they would not smell of it, would they?
How to get a smell out of a bag
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How does one kill the mold in a bag then? I can't see it, I am not even sure there is mold in them, but there HAS to be, otherwise they would not smell of it, would they?
I honestly have no idea. Personally I would not keep something in my home with mold. I'd toss it.
Hi, I sell a lot of vintage Chanel and sometimes have this problem. I use either fresh coffee grounds or coffee beans ( in an open freezer bag). If I let them just sit in the bag for a few days it's great for neutralising the odour.
It's such a shame when a beautiful vintage bag becomes unusable due to a vintage odour, but there are ways around it.
Hope this helps
It's such a shame when a beautiful vintage bag becomes unusable due to a vintage odour, but there are ways around it.
Hope this helps
I work with a conservator that is doing a PhD in removing mould from paper. I will ask her if she has any tips.
Hi Valby and peeps!
I recently bought a lot of leather vintage dooney's for my daughter one ebay -- and I failed to ask about whether they came from a smoke free home. I learned my mistake when we opened the box. They are beautiful bags, but just really stinky.
I read somewhere that putting dry rice in the bottom of the bag and letting it sit for about a week should cure the problem. Cure it! So, I went out and bought a big ole' bag of cheap rice and poured about 1/2 inch in each one and closed the bags leaving them open just a bit.
I also read that making a little satchel out of coffee grounds might do the trick... using the same approach of sticking it in the bag for a week or so~
Let us know if you discover something that works! I'll keep you posted if the rice does the job!
I recently bought a lot of leather vintage dooney's for my daughter one ebay -- and I failed to ask about whether they came from a smoke free home. I learned my mistake when we opened the box. They are beautiful bags, but just really stinky.
I read somewhere that putting dry rice in the bottom of the bag and letting it sit for about a week should cure the problem. Cure it!
So, I went out and bought a big ole' bag of cheap rice and poured about 1/2 inch in each one and closed the bags leaving them open just a bit.I also read that making a little satchel out of coffee grounds might do the trick... using the same approach of sticking it in the bag for a week or so~
Let us know if you discover something that works! I'll keep you posted if the rice does the job!
I was carrying a perfume sample in my purse the other day & it popped open. GAK! As much as I like Gucci Flora, my bag is giving me a headache 
WIll definitely have to try some of the tips suggested in this thread!
For now I'm airing it out overnight flipped inside out to see if that starts to diffuse the perfume bomb
WIll definitely have to try some of the tips suggested in this thread!
For now I'm airing it out overnight flipped inside out to see if that starts to diffuse the perfume bomb
I've been creeping around this forum for a while and decided to jump into this discussion, as it's very relevant for me. I collect vintage toys, and I have to agree that activated carbon/charcoal is a blessing. Another very simple solution are silica packets. Yes, those little "DO NOT EAT" packets inside the boxes of shoes from outlet stores and other things, like purses and sometimes clothing!
I purchased a very big bag of them to use for deodorizing newly purchased collectibles and also to hide around them. It helps prevent moisture from damaging old vinyl and I always have one or two inside my handbag dust bags.
If it's a strong scent such as smoke residue or over abundant perfume scents, you can place an acid-free tissue inside the purse and one or two silica packets inside, place the purse into a dust bag or even just a pillow case, a couple more packets, and seal that baby up for a few days. It should lessen the smell considerably if you're using 5gram packets, or so.
I purchased a very big bag of them to use for deodorizing newly purchased collectibles and also to hide around them. It helps prevent moisture from damaging old vinyl and I always have one or two inside my handbag dust bags.
If it's a strong scent such as smoke residue or over abundant perfume scents, you can place an acid-free tissue inside the purse and one or two silica packets inside, place the purse into a dust bag or even just a pillow case, a couple more packets, and seal that baby up for a few days. It should lessen the smell considerably if you're using 5gram packets, or so.
It is so interesting to read all these experiences and advices on how to get rid of smell in a bag. Only problem for me is to know what are the comparable stuff here, cause I live in different country then most of you 
And I'm afraid that we don't even have all the same kind of stuff here. But today I saw on the cleaning isle of my crosery store a smell removel/non-odorizing (or something like that) little thing you put in your freezer to remove the smells. Could something like that work? (It was used like you just put it there and it catches the smell I think, you don't rub it etc.) I don't remember seeing a comment of a product like that here.. Don't remember the name right now (should have taken a picture) and I think the name was in english of all things
And I'm afraid that we don't even have all the same kind of stuff here. But today I saw on the cleaning isle of my crosery store a smell removel/non-odorizing (or something like that) little thing you put in your freezer to remove the smells. Could something like that work?
(It was used like you just put it there and it catches the smell I think, you don't rub it etc.) I don't remember seeing a comment of a product like that here.. Don't remember the name right now (should have taken a picture) and I think the name was in english of all things
I've been creeping around this forum for a while and decided to jump into this discussion, as it's very relevant for me. I collect vintage toys, and I have to agree that activated carbon/charcoal is a blessing. Another very simple solution are silica packets. Yes, those little "DO NOT EAT" packets inside the boxes of shoes from outlet stores and other things, like purses and sometimes clothing!
I purchased a very big bag of them to use for deodorizing newly purchased collectibles and also to hide around them. It helps prevent moisture from damaging old vinyl and I always have one or two inside my handbag dust bags.
If it's a strong scent such as smoke residue or over abundant perfume scents, you can place an acid-free tissue inside the purse and one or two silica packets inside, place the purse into a dust bag or even just a pillow case, a couple more packets, and seal that baby up for a few days. It should lessen the smell considerably if you're using 5gram packets, or so.
This sounds pretty interesting. Where did you buy those? Just from a store (which kind of?) or online? I wonder where I could get those, I think and believe you that they are handy and may even prevent a smelly problem before you have one..
This sounds pretty interesting. Where did you buy those? Just from a store (which kind of?) or online? I wonder where I could get those, I think and believe you that they are handy and may even prevent a smelly problem before you have one..
I found them here on Amazon.
They're great for storing just about anything!
If you're talking about baking soda for the fridge type of products, that'll work as well. Just check the ingredients and make sure the active ingredient doesn't directly come in contact with the bag. Baking soda is wonderful.
disclaimer: proceed at your own risk
If there's mold, the first thing you have to do is neutralize it. Sunlight and fresh air works best. Empty your bag and leave it out in sunlight and fresh air for several days in succession. This should neutralize the mold. The next step is to remove/eradicate the mold. Dilute the juice from several lemons with water and wipe down the interior of your bag. The citric acid should not damage the leather or significantly alter the color. Let the bag dry and the wipe it down once more. Be aware that you will have to repeat these procedures periodically for as long as you own the bag.
I found them here on Amazon.
They're great for storing just about anything!
If you're talking about baking soda for the fridge type of products, that'll work as well. Just check the ingredients and make sure the active ingredient doesn't directly come in contact with the bag. Baking soda is wonderful.
Hmm I don't think it was like baking soda. It was a little "jar" with like gel on indide. Little holes on top for it to absorb the smellz.
I have to ckeck out the other product!