How do you get a musty smell out of suitcases?

Question

I bought some second hand suitcases at a yard sale and they smell musty. Not mildew, just stale. Any ideas how to get rid of the smell?

Answer 1

You have several options open for you. Mix vinegar and water and spray. Let air dry. Also, you can mix baking soda and some water, rub into the fabric of the suitcase, rinse, let air dry.
You may use lemon juice and water mixed, the same way as with vinegar and water. Keep in house to dry. To keep this from happening in the future, when you put away your luggage, put a dryer sheet (any kind will do) in each suitcase. They will remain odor free. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

1) white with a sponge that has been soaked and then squeezed in pure vinegar.
2)do not close until it is dry again. let air out - and if it is sunny, open and let the sun dry it and get rid of the mustiness.
3)before putting away, in each suiticase (pockets as well) put a DRYER sheet - it will keep it nice and fresh smelling.
4) Febreeze, like another poster stated, also works.
5)ALSO, you can, instead of the dryer sheets you can get some baking soda and leave in the bags for a few days and the sun and close with a moisture absorber in each bag.

Answer 3

I had a new freezer that came unplugged and by the time I found out, it had a well-rotted turkey in it, among other things. You can only imagine the smell! After cleaning it, I filled it with crumpled newspaper for a few weeks and the awful stench was gone. I think newspaper will work for you too. To keep them smelling fresh, mix a box of baking soda with 10 drops or so of essential oil (I like lemon grass myself). Put a scoop in a coffee liner and tie the top with a twisty or string to secure the contents. Toss into the suitcases before storing.

Answer 4

Newspapers will work, you can also put a couple of charcoal briquetts in a saucer and set them in the suitcase for a few days the charcoal will absorb the musty odor, also works well in the fridge too. Good Luck

Answer 5

Clean it with a wet wash cloth - no soap. Dry of excess water. Rub a nice smelling dryer sheet all over it. Then put a new one in it and let it sit closed for a couple of days.

Answer 6

Been there, done that. Lemon juice is a natural cleanser and freshener. Be careful never to put lemon juice on something and sit it in the sun though...works as bleach. Anyway, mix lemon juice and water and wash your luggage (wipe it) and sit it outside to air out and dry. When packing away again be sure not to seal it tightly. Keep some freshness to it. Enjoy and good luck on your good deal!

Answer 7

Set it out in the sun for a day and then close it up with a couple of your favorite smelling dryer sheets,

Answer 8

Place a dryer sheet in each suitcase before storage. It will smell nice next time you open it.

Answer 9

Sprinkle baking soda in the case and leave over night. Vacuum out the next day. Worked for me

Answer 10

Febreeze