I know you’ve resolved your issue, but for others who found this thread: those Arm & Hammer baking soda disks made for deodorizing diaper bags are your best friends.
Smell on vintage bags
- Thread starter TitaniaWilliams
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I have had good luck with Arm and Hammer baking soda disks in combo with dryer sheets. I usually place the disk inside the bag and the dryer sheets outside the bag. Then I put it in a dust bag for at least 1 month. Patience is a virtue. I have had even the smoky smells come out that way. I have a lot of very old clutch bags (even from the 1960's) that I collect. I have also sprayed Febreze on the lining as well (always a test a small area 1st).
It's easy. It's a smell that doesn't come off when you wash the bag. I know that people tell not to wash bags and I agree because not every bag is the same, several bags have leather parts which can be ruined by water, and you have to be extremely careful!
Usually, if a bag has, let's say, the smell of perfume or sweat or any other thing... it can be washed away.
With mold, you can wash it 10 times and it's still the same smell.
Perseverance is the key. It's not going away in 1 or 2 days, but if you keep using baking soda, coffee beans, even sunlight and wind (even though sunlight can damage the bag) for sure the smell will GRADUALLY but eventually go away.
Most people describe the smell of mould as musty, stale and earthy something similar to the odour of wet socks or decaying wood. Although mould smells can vary, here are some of the most common characteristics: Musty and stale is akin to old socks, Earthy like rotting wood, Damp like wet dog fur or an unaired gym changing room, Rotting or fermenting like aging cheese, decaying fruit or fermenting alcohol, Sour and tangy like an armpit after a vigorous workout.
The smell of mould is usually quite foul and unpleasant and grows stronger over time as the mould starts to spread. ‘Musty’ and ‘stale’ are the most accurate descriptions of what mould smells like.
Hope this is of help to you. Fair day and be well.
The only thing that I've ever found to work on getting musty and unpleasant smells out of bags is to hang the bag on a coat hanger in a breezy tree and let it flap in the wind for several days. Turn the bag inside out if you can.
I've tried charcoal in the bag--hasn't worked. And baking soda--minimal effect.
And good heavens don't ever EVER spray a bag with Febreze or some other noxious scent and expect to cover the scent. That only makes things worse. And you'll never evict the smell of Febreze.
Flapping in the wind is the thing that works best.
I've tried charcoal in the bag--hasn't worked. And baking soda--minimal effect.
And good heavens don't ever EVER spray a bag with Febreze or some other noxious scent and expect to cover the scent. That only makes things worse. And you'll never evict the smell of Febreze.
Flapping in the wind is the thing that works best.