Could Someone Please Tell Me How To Get Rid Of Musty Odors?

Question

I recently inherited a number of books,framed photos and pictures,and some antique furniture--all of which were stored in a basement for a number of years. All of it smells very musty,and spraying with odor neutralizer does absolutely nothing to remove the odor. Once the neutralizer scent wears off,the musty smell returns. Is there any way to eliminate it?

Answer 1

About the only way to deal with this is to let the items sit out in the sun for as long as it takes. YOu could try putting crumpled newspaper in the drawers of the furniture, and change it every couple days. But sunlight is the best.

Answer 2

Someone else also suggested charcoal. I have the perfect solution. It is an unscented carbon product called FRIDGE IT odor absorbers. It is a littler purple cube with an incredible activated carbon filter inside that is really, really, great. It works so much better than baking soda and all those sprays and fragrances that just cover up smells and doesn't get rid of them. Just put a few of them around the area. The carbon literally absorbs and eliminates the odors and works for a long time. I use this product everywhere including car, storage, closets, my fridge and also under sinks, near trash and have friends that use it on cat litter box and also diaper pails - it's that good. I really recommend it. You can buy it in kitchen gadget sections in stores like walmart and linens and things. I also think camping world sells it. Definitely worth trying

Answer 3

Wipe the as many of the thing´s with a damp cloth then give them as much fresh air as you can , I would´t put your antique furniture out in the sun as some one has suggested , , there is a special polish you can buy that revitalizes the furniture The one I use Is called molbysol, but I live in Spain, ask at any furniture department store they will have something similar I´m sure

Answer 4

this will get rid of any odors. It's the miracle little helper. A bowl of distilled white vinegar in a corner of the room. It absorbs, must, dog odors, smoke, everything. I thought it was boloney when I heard about it but I tried it and it worked. Change the vinegar every other day. The smells will be noticeably less after day one. Try it, it's cheap and can't hurt.

Answer 5

try white vinegar. It absorbs odors, doesn't mask them. You need not spray it directly on the antique furniture but put it in a saucer or large plate and keep everything confined to that area to be absorbed. Otherwise, alot of airing out in the fresh air and time.

Answer 6

If you have a closed area open a couple of sacks of charcoal and it will absorb the odors. cheap and easy. It works very well in removing odors from basements as well as old refrigerators, ect.

Answer 7

Honey! the best thing you can do is wash your pillow in detergent, dry it in the dryer with some fabric sheets like bounce, or downy, place the pillow inside a pillow protector you can buy these at stores like walmart or target. Then place your pillow cover on it and wash your pillow covers often to keep it smelling nice and fresh. In between washing your pillow cover spray it with frebreze or lysol. They both work well for odors.

Answer 8

I'm wondering, could some 'cat litter' work? I've used that in old socks, inside my teens shoes, to absorb odours and dampness.Wouldn't hurt to try it, like in a drawer or box with your stuff.

Answer 9

Air them out as much as possible and use dryer sheets in books and in furniture drawers.

Good luck.

Answer 10

let them sit out in the sun and fresh air.