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.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
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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ronda
I bought an old mirror on eBay that turned out to be very musty smelling. Would putting the mirror in a large garbage bag with kitty litter do the trick, do you think? Hoping this thread isn't too old now!
Karen
Hi Ronda! I'd give it a shot! The other thing you can try is to spray it with vinegar. Chances are the musty smell is from whatever the backing on the mirror is (felt ... cardboard ... wood ... whatever). ~ karen!
Jane
Wow. Trying to think of another protected class of individuals we could publicly say are stinky because they are part of the protected class. Yeah...I know...a lot of folks will tell me to lighten up. Well, just pat me on the head and tell me I can say whatever I want because I'm old.
Bob
The kitty litter trick is an interesting way of getting rid of that old musty smell and I will definitely give this a go. I have a question though: I like old (useable) sewing machines and have a few and that smell is a problem with some of them.
Obviously I can try the cat litter trick on the cases but what about the machines? That musty smell is in some of them and they are 99% metal. Any ideas?
I read you comments about the washing the typewriter but I don't want to immerse a sewing machine in water due to inaccessible machine parts and the fear of rust inside. Thanks for the blog, it's interesting.
katie
Charcoal, as in briquettes. Seriously. I am a smoker, and the smell of smoke in my car bothers me, so I'm sure it bothers others. Take a few briquettes - the kind without lighter fluid added - and put 'em in a paper lunch bag. (Or two, or three, or as many as floats your dress up. Bags and briquettes both.) Place bag(s) in car. Roll up windows. Park car in sun. Leave there for as long as possible...at least 12 hours. Remove charcoal. Roll down windows and take a drive. Smoke smell is gone!
Karen
That sounds like it really would work. :) I know charcoal absorbs poison so it makes sense it might absorb smells too. ~ karen!
Lisa
hi Karen, your blog is helpful. I have a vintage leather purse with cream suede interior. Would you still recommend putting kitty litter inside?
Thank you,
Lisa
Karen
Hi Lisa. Sure the litter will be fine in the cream suede interior. Just make sure it isn't wet or damp! Then the litter will stick to it. Just pour the litter in, close it up and leave it. Then you can just dump the litter out. You may need to vacuum it out a bit too. Good luck! ~ karen
Monica
Hi. A family member just moved n with us and my house has a funny smell. Don't know what it is, but everything smells like her, her cover and her clothes. How do I get that smell out?
Karen
That's a new one. Without knowing what the smell is I don't think I can help. Could it just be her perfume? Febreeze (without scent) will get rid of odours without making another equally offensive odor, that's worth a shot. ~ karen!
jill
I love how the bottom suitcase is smiling at us! I've used litter too. A lot to be said for days out in the sun too.
Barb
When I bought an antique secretary that smelled musty, I poured some nice smelling potpourri in it for about a week and it worked like a charm. Still smells really good 3 years later.
Kitty
Hello, I was SO excited about the cat litter solution!
I bought a mid-century sewing box which is a beautiful thing but was obviously unopened for many years and smells very fusty, like it was quite overpowering at first. I have tried cleaning it day after day after day after day, leaving it outside to air for days at a time, etc. I just tried the cat litter method. Nothing, it is still smelly.
btw, I don't think it smells of old people as my gran was an old person and she smelt of lavendar soap and Eternity perfume - in fact, I wish it DID smell of old people! But it smells of vintage and long-term storage. So I think I will remove the lining - waah, lovely fabric lining and see if that helps. Has anyone else has to go nuclear like this? I have no idea how to actually replace the lining.
Thanks for the tip though, I am sure it will come in useful again in the future :)
Karen
Hi Kitty! My one last tip would be to spray the inside with vinegar. SOAK it. Then let it dry in the sun if you can. ~ karen!
B
Thanks for the great tip!
Love your wit and writing style!
Beth
I was wondering if the kitty litter would work for old kids books that smell musty and how to go about it. I already tried laying them out in the sun for hours which helped a little but not enough. I would love to hand them down to my grandchildren. PLEASE HELP!
Suzi
Karen, happy Friday!
When the planets align and I manage to sneak in a blissful hour at a local estate sale, I always seem to gravitate straight to the women's fashions and accessories (a girl's gotta do...), and if the aligned planets also give way to yet another beautiful Northern California summer day, and I uncover a treasure that's been waiting patiently for me, my day is complete!
... sigh ...
Once home, that musty smell is overpowering and I have to leave my treasure(s) outside to air out, etc. I've been told about and tried the ziplock bag/dryer sheet trick (no dice), as well as charcoal, hand wash, machine wash, dry clean, etc etc. I have had zero success. That ends today. I found a funky, colorful 60's wrap skirt ($3!) that will receive Karen's Kitty Litter Cure and I will funkify ... well, **something** in a few days when I wear the skirt. Thank you!!
p.s. you had me at 'whack job'
Karen
Thanks Suzi. Ya, whack job! LOL. Good luck with your skirt! My sister says she has great luck with spraying clothing/fabric with vinegar. (then wash it of course) Happy hunting. ~ karen!
Pat
I just got a 40+ year old camera bag with a moldy smell to match its age. I will try your idea. Thanks for the post. They are not old, just timeless :)
G Grube
NICE luggage!
Nicole
Interesting.....because right now we're dealing with getting the smell of litterbox out of our "new" house finished basement- where the previous owners kept the litter boxes. It doesn't smell like cat pee....but just like a litterbox!!!! Gross. I've used vinegar, nature's miracle, boxes of baking soda left out for weeks, charcoal....you name it. It's still there. Nasty! Any recommendations for that dilemma?
Lioness
Update on my chest of drawers, good news! Charcoal didn't work, as I'd expected, but citronella candles did, a smallish one per drawer. Hopefully this can help someone else with stubborn odours.
Karen
Good news! I just hope the candle isn't just masking the odor. Did you try spraying it with vinegar? ~ karen
Susie
WOW! The old people smell that you are referring to are actually people who endured numerous wars..hardships..and sacrifice., so that you can have the freedom of speech to post your rude comments . Have a little respect for the aging in this country.
Karen
Hi Susie - This is an information and humour website and needs to be read as such. My mother is 80 and she loved the post, so it could just be this sort of humour isn't for you. ~ karen
Sonya
What about ridding a cedar chest from old mothball smell?
Karen
Hi Sonya - Well ... either a whole lotta kitty litter (honestly) or try spraying with vinegar a few times. Vinegar works fairly well in that situation according to my sister. I've always used litter but she uses vinegar. ~ karen!
anna
Does anyone know if its safe to sprinkle/hang kitty litter in a baby's closet? I thought it was unsafe for babies, or is that just cat litter thats been peed in?
Getting rid of stuff
Great post! Been reading a lot about getting rid of old stuff. Thanks for the info here!