How could I get the musty odor out of an old guitar case?

Question

I have a '64 Martin 000-28 guitar that has a case that stinks so bad when I open it, it makes my studio, guitar, and my hands smell musty too! Phew!!

Answer 1

Sprinkle well with Bicarbonate of Soda. Leave for a couple of days and then hoover out. Repeat if necessary, until the smell is gone.

Answer 2

Nice guitar!!

Buy a bag of cedar shavings (yes, like for hamsters) from the pet store. Dump the contents into your case (without the guitar). Let it sit for a few days. The cedar will kill the smell.

My only concern is that must is caused by moisture. Is your guitar warped/warping because of it? You may need to get a new case. If there is moisture in the case, there may be moisture in the wood of the guitar and that could be a bad thing. I would call your local Martin dealer and talk to them about it.

Good luck.

Answer 3

get a tub of Damp-Rid. If the whole tub doesn't fit inside the case, put it in a smaller container. Close up the case. Leave for 24 hours. No more smell. The stuff is miraculous.

http://www.damprid.dsiwebbuilder.com/index.asp?cat=56350

Answer 4

Take a small open container and fill it with white vinegar. Place it in the case and close it. Don't spill it! Let sit overnight. Remove the container.

Works like a charm.

Answer 5

Put a little water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray liberally and then let dry

Answer 6

Try spraying a bit of Febreze on it and leaving it in the sun for a day.

Answer 7

baking soda will remove the smell then put a frabric softner sheet in the case

Answer 8

Open it and let it set out in the sun for a summer.

Answer 9

You can try charcoal briquettes. They do a great job of removing odors form a lot of items.

Answer 10

Put dryer sheets in it and close it up. In a few hrs it should smell good.