lsst
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posted on May 17, 2002 05:59:38 PM
I bought a purse on e-bay that I am basically happy with but it has an awful musty smell.
It is leather and has a fabric lining.
Does anyone have any tips on getting rid of the smell? I am currently using carbon chips. I also set it outside for a few hours but so far-no luck. Would febreeze work?
I have e-mailed the seller asking why a 3 year old purse smells so bad but of course, she has not responded.
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stopwhining
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posted on May 17, 2002 06:18:49 PM
place it under the sun,if it does not damage the leather.
may be you could do a chargeback saying seller fails to disclose the ODOUR OF THE ITEM.
USE STRONGER CHARCOAL
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Helenjw
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posted on May 17, 2002 06:53:13 PM
Since the mildew is on the leather and lining, it's a difficult problem. I would return the purse.
But, if you want to keep it and try to remove the mildew, I would be very careful because some of the solutions that you read about on the internet may stain the leather.
I just hate mildew. 
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stopwhining
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posted on May 17, 2002 07:04:42 PM
depending on the leather,you may be able to use some mild bleach to remove the mildew on the leather.
but the lining is hard,it may stay forever,is it stained??
it could be kept in an area which has been flooded.
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stopwhining
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posted on May 17, 2002 07:05:51 PM
try room air cleaner,or take it to a casino,they have the best air cleaner .
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tradersjones
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posted on May 17, 2002 08:04:37 PM
Try stuffing it loosely with crumpled newspaper. I've never tried this with a purse, but it sure takes the smell out of paper items! You might even put it in a large trashbab with crumpled newspaper around the outside of the purse too. Good luck!
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paloma91
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posted on May 17, 2002 08:05:02 PM
You will probably think this is a nutty idea but I recently did this and it worked! First try to separate the leather from the lining. Sometimes you can pull the lining outside of a purse. Make a mild solution of vinegar(white/clear) and water. apply to the inside of the purses lining with a wash cloth and apply it LIGHTLY. Don't soak it! wipe it off quickly so it doesnt soak into the leather apply a few times and wipe it out with a clean DRY towel until it is as dry as you can get it. Now, put it outside, not in direct sunlight but in the shade in a sunny area where there is a breeze.
I had garage sale left mine out while I had the garage sale sat and sun and my monday it was fine. I can't promis this will work for you but it did for me. Hope it helps
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toddstreasures
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posted on May 17, 2002 08:46:12 PM
As an antiques dealer, I have dealt with a lot of musty odors on all sorts of items. Here's what I recommend. Get a dry foam, carpet spot cleaner such as the one by Woolite. Then spray the inside of the purse. Let the dry foam work for five minutes of so. Next, wipe the foam out of the lining. That should take care of the inside. Assuming the leather also smells, get yourself a good leather cleaner and clean the exterior. Odds are, this will take care of any smell on the exterior. If you have any remaining smell, I recommend that you fill the interior with a scented potpourri and leave it for a few days or spray the inside with a potpourri spray of your choice. Normally, this will knock out any residual odor. Finally, if all else fails, just wash the purse in the washer on the gentle cycle. Most leathers are fine in water for brief periods. Just be sure to let the leather air dry and don't make a habit of washing it or you could invite trouble.
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lsst
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posted on May 17, 2002 08:54:22 PM
Thanks Everyone! I will try your ideas-Hopefully they will work as it really is a cute purse.
I do not see any visible mildew so I do not think it was soaked . In fact the purse looks practically new except for the awful smell. Lauren
[ edited by lsst on May 17, 2002 08:58 PM ]
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Libra63
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posted on May 18, 2002 04:42:48 PM
Wasn't there a thread about unsented cat litter removing smells? What is the smell? Can you identify it? If you are going to use newspaper don't leave the paper in it to long, but replace it with new paper. I had a very smelly cabinet. We moved into an apartment that had a very bad spice smell in the cupboard and I used newspaper but I put new paper in about every 4 hours. The odor finally left but it took a while, about a week. It was a large cupboard.
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dadofstickboy
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posted on May 18, 2002 04:49:52 PM
I wish my wifes purse's smelled musty!
But she doesn't hold onto a dollar long enough for it to give off that old money smell.
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rarriffle
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posted on May 18, 2002 05:05:16 PM
Yes, there was a thread about using unscented kitty litter to get rid of this type of smell.
Pour the bag of kitty litter into a large garbage bag. Put the item on a tray or something so that the litter won't touch it and set it in the bag on top of the litter. Close the bag tightly and leave it for, I believe, a week or two.
I haven't used this method, but the ones who suggested it say it works wonders.
Good luck with it.
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lsst
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posted on May 18, 2002 05:40:59 PM
I decided to clean the outside of the purse with leather cleaner and it seems to have helped.
I also put newspaper inside the pockets and inside the purse. It too, seems to help. I'll keep you guys posted.
I am seriously thinking of posting a neutral feedback based on the smell and the fact the seller has not returned my e-mails. I thought I would wait a few days in case she is out of town. She currently has active auctions and was very prompt about e-mail return during the sale.
She states all sales final and I do like the purse but I do think she should have mentioned the smell or at least answered my e-mails questioning the smell.
Lauren
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nnt
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posted on May 19, 2002 08:45:57 PM
The newspaper idea sounds good. I have taken musty smells from refrigerators and old trunks with it.
I have a purse that has a tobacco smell on the zipper pocket only. Not like stale smoke. The lady must have kept cigarettes in this pocket. I have tried a lot of things, with no result. Now I will try the vinegar thing - and the newspaper (I had forgotten about those.)
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caffeitalia
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posted on May 19, 2002 09:00:33 PM
Put a dryer sheet inside. I do this when ever I store items for any length of time. If it don't work, at least you wont' have static cling.
As far as the seller goes, use a different id and ask her a question about one of her auctions that are running. See how long it takes her to respond. If she responds, then you can ask her why she responds to that e-mail but not to problem e-mails. Then neg her. Answering questions is parts of the sellers obligation to all sales, before and after.
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annekila
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posted on May 20, 2002 07:06:17 AM
BAKING SODA
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classicrock000
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posted on May 20, 2002 10:51:41 AM
using kitty litter?? yea thats good idea! your purse wont smell musty anymore--it will smell like crap<snicker>
[ edited by classicrock000 on May 20, 2002 10:53 AM ]
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Helenjw
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posted on May 20, 2002 01:46:29 PM
classicrock1000
Finally someone who agrees with me on kitty litter and freebreeze and old newspapers and clothes drying sheets etc. What a bunch of crapy smells. There is no way to remove mildew but to clean it and cleaning a leather pocketbook with lining is next to impossible.
If she refuses to refund your money send it back stuffed with USED CAT LITTER!
Helen
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