I think I've made it pretty clear that I like old stuff. It makes me happy. It makes me feel relaxed and content. It makes me want to use words like whippersnapper and hooligan while holding a rolling pin in one hand and a television remote the size of a box of cereal in the other.
The only real problem I've ever had regarding my love of old things is this; If it is old ... it will smell. As an example, have you ever met an old cheese, old sock or old person that didn't smell?
Several years ago I bought this luggage set. And when I bought it, it smelled. Poorly. Like a musty, musty, must bucket.
I don't actually keep my luggage on my front hall table, I just thought it was a nice way for you to get a good gander at it.
"Gander" is one of the words I intend to use on more of a regular basis when I get old.
Quite frankly I can't wait to get so old I can say and do whatever I want without anyone looking at me like I'm a lunatic. When you're young and you declare in an exceptionally loud voice that you think the person in front of you in line at the grocery store is a "whack job" you come off as judgemental and mean. When you're old and you do the same thing, you're just "a lively old gal".
In order to get rid of the musty luggage stink I used my old standby. Kitty Litter.
Just open up the offending piece of luggage.
Unless you're feeling poorly. In which case you should probably sucker some other poor sod into opening up the stink box.
That lining right in there is what holds most of the stink.
Just pour a box of kitty litter into the offending piece of luggage. Yup. The whole box. Pour it right in there.
See? Fill it up.
Then close up your piece of luggage (or any other thing you own that's filled with musty smells.
And leave it for a week. You heard me. One week. Just leave it.
When the week is up, just empty the kitty litter and fill your luggage with whatever you choose to. I use my fresh smelling train case as my sewing box and it looks like this!
Cute right?
Only it actually looks like this.
Which isn't nearly as attractive in a photograph. But it's the truth.
You can use this litter trick with almost anything. Musty vintage clothing? Shove it in a plastic bag and cover the piece with kitty litter. Tie the bag up and leave it for a week!
The plastic bag technique works great with just about anything that smells old and musty. Although, I probably wouldn't recommend this exact procedure with old people.
Most of 'em are feisty. If you try and cover them in kitty litter and shove them in a plastic bag chances are they'll knock you right on your keister.
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Roxie
How do you get cigarette smoke out of wood furniture?
Roxie
What about getting the smell of cigarette smoke out of wood furniture? Any ideas on that one?
Emily
If I have a suitcase the size of your middle one, or maybe a little bit bigger would I need to use more than one container of kitty litter, or would one be enough?
Karen
Emily - One's fine. Good luck. ~ karen!
Suzie
I rarely comment on the websites from which Pinterest posts have originated, but I must on this one. While I found your tip very helpful, I found your writing even more enjoyable. I love words and writing, and you combined the two in an interestingly humorous and well-written excerpt as you described your method. Kudos...
Karen
Thanks Suzie! I'm happy you found me through Pinterest and left a comment. Welcome to the site ... hope you'll come back. ~ karen!
Crystal Pistol
oh and I know just what you mean about the old people smell. It's no doggone secret that yes, old people do smell different...when she used that as her description we all knew exactly the odor she was talking of. So, the people that say they got offended by such comment/opinion I would bet that they are the ones who smell that way, and either dont know they smell that way or know it and they felt compelled to cry about it.
Crystal Pistol
Looks like I need to buy me some kitty litter. Sounds crazy but I'm gonna pour that stuff in my bathroom along the walls, (I CAN handle that that sight and mess for a week) and down beside my dryer to get rid of the musty stinky smell that every one says they dont smell, but I damn sure do, they all need to get their sniffers checked!!! I hate the smell in my bathroom! thx for the tip chick! *fingers crossed*
Billie
Mmmm - moderated - not really surprised!! I'll be surprised if you allow that post!!
Billie
I have to say that while the idea of Kitty Litter is good, I am amazed that anyone living in this day and age could post such insulting insensitive remarks about old people being smelly. That's very unfair and unkind -I suppose you do realise that your grandparents and possibly even your parents and other members of your own family come into this category of "old people".
And too,I would suggest that you think about the fact that you too will be old one day.
Anyone can be smelly, both young and old, and some just can't help it. A little more compassion and understanding of other people's problems might just turn you into a nicer person!!
Karen
Billie - If you don't associate the smell of must and moth balls with things that are old then you are one of very few in this world. My mother is 77. She's not offended by the post. And neither should you be. I suppose you're right that both young and old people can smell. The same way both young and old can either have a good sense of humour or not. ~ karen
say wahht?
I also replied above and I am going to agree again with this offended older person.
Since I have worked with vintage longer than most young people have been alive, I can easily tell you what the "old people" thrift shop smell is. It is nothing to do with being old and everything to do with fabrics and items that can't be or aren't washed, crowded intoa badly ventilated shop.. What the smell is: It is old sweat which smells nasty as it decomposes, and old perfume which smells even worse. Perfume goes strongly rancid as it sits on your clothes and in your closet. And mold from improper storage is the finishing touch.I won't even go into old nicotine. Gak. The worst.
Since I realized this I NEVER wear perfume with anything that can't be washed immediately after.
Don't ever wear perfume with wool, silk or leather. It will be there rotting away forever.
Karen
You understand that I, the originator and writer of this post, am the one to approve all of these comments, right? I'm going to assume you didn't have much of a sense of humour when you were younger either. ~ karen
Michele in IL.
Cute and funny! I love your kitty litter idea and will use it. Don't they say not to buy kitty litter with ammonia? Do u have to repeat the process in a year??
Thanks so much!
Denise MacColeman
I recently bought an antique 1940 English sideboard. It is beautiful with grand detail. But this thing smells to high Heaven. I have put a cup of coffee grounds inside, vinegar, charcoal pieces,used Murphys oil soap, cinnamon sticks, cloves and everything I could think of. It still sticks in the cabinets and drawers. I will put cups of litter inside and see if this works. Thanks. Denise
Karen
HI Denise - You may have to actually lay the sideboard down and fill it if you can. That'd be your best bet. It works best when the litter actually has contact with whatever you're trying to destink. ~ karen!
Carl
Great info! Found you on Pinterest. Unfortunately, the only place I can find cool old suitcases or chests seems to be Pinterest.
Old person smell actually exists.
..
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=old-person-smell&WT.mc_id=SA_syn_HuffPo
..
Thrift store smell is probably a mixture of old person smell and mold spore.
...
http://www.dustmitemagic.com/what-musty-smells-mean.html
Karen
Interesting! Can't wait to read the links. For old luggage try thrift stores like Goodwill or flea markets. ~ karen!
Judy
I believe cranky old people were also cranky young people. I find most older folks get sweeter and appreciate life more.
PS the kitty litter works well.
Dory Gardner
I have two old dressers that I want to refinish and use in my bedroom. The drawers smell like my grandmothers' closet..the kitty litter should work on them too, right?
Karen
Hi Dory - Yup, the kitty litter method should be perfect for it! ~ karen
Dory Gardner
Thank you so much! Dory
Shannon
I recently acquired a 'certified pre-owned' leather jacket for my 5 year old son. The jacket is for his Halloween costume (Indiana Jones). It has this unidentifiable odor...I can't place it...I don't think its that musty/mildew smell...its something else...and it has a zipped in liner (which clearly needs some TLC i.e. 'replaced'). I have it hanging in my garage to air out, but its not working. Can I use the kitty litter trick for this?
Karen
Give it a shot. It may not get rid of all the odour but it will def. help. ~ karen!
Laura
HAHA, Lol @ "Only it really looks like this."
Karen
No sense lying about it! :) ~ karen!
dahlila
Brilliant idea!
I've tried everything--vinegar, baking soda--then both together. It does work, mostly, but the kitty litter sounds even better. I'm assuming there's a vacuum step there after the filling & before the using? Will definitely try it.
thank you, dahlila
Karen
Yup, the kitty litter works well on most things that absorb smell. Good luck! ~ karen
Jackie Cardy
I'm 61. Is that old? It must be because I absolutely stink. Maybe I should give up showering and use cat litter instead.
Karen
Jackie - See? There you go proving that even though old people stink, they're very, very smart! Good thinkin'. ~ karen
Ruby Cornejo
Do you have any ideas on how to get cigarette smoke out. We bought a massage table. Didn't realize it was from a smoker's house. We have sprayed and cleaned. It has been sitting outside on patio for 2 weeks now and still stinks. We still have to try sprinkling it with baking soda, a suggestion from a church friend.
Karen
Hi Rudy - Hmm ... that's a tough one. Smoke smell really is difficult to get out but it does eventually go away. But it might takes years. SO! The one thing I can think to recommend is Enzyme Cleaner. A lot of people are making their own right now (I did a post on it a while ago) but you can buy it in stores. The easiest place to find it is in pet stores. It's used for getting rid of the smell of cat urine, but it will work at breaking down any organic matter, including nicotine and smoke smell. I can't guarantee it'll work because I've never tried it on smoke smell before, but I can tell you enzyme cleaners work quite well on pet urine. As a last resort you can try one part hydrogen peroxide to one part water. Mix it up, wipe the table and let it sit. Wait 15 minutes or so then go back and wipe it dry. Good luck. ~ karen!
nancy wilder
hey Karen
thanks for the tip! I have some great bags that all smell musty from living here on the coast. My dresser smells like cigarette smoke somewhat, it is old too. It's good wood, not painted on the inside, do you think the kitty litter will work? Kind of a big drag to dump all my clothes even from one drawer for a week as we live in a postage stamp of a house.
thanks, your blog is hilarious!
Nancy
Karen
Thanks Nancy - Well ... I have no idea if it will work on cigarette smoke. The only thing I can suggest is to try it and see. :) I would think it should at *least* help. ~ karen!
Monica
Thank you! And again thank you for the last pic. I always thought that only my stuff looks upside down after a while :-)
Karen
Pfttt. You should see my kitchen cupboards at the moment. Wow. ~ karen