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Removing musty smell from hoarders item

6 replies

Crochetter · 23/12/2025 12:12

Is there any way of removing the smell from items which above been in a hoarders house.
Textiles , wrapping paper, cards , clothes etc.have tried washing the fabric items but still can smell them.
Thanks for any tips

OP posts:
Lovelyview · 23/12/2025 12:20

Hanging fabrics outside for a couple of weeks could help although ideally they'd need rain, wind and sunshine to get rid of smells. I wouldn't have thought you could do much with paper. Do you want to keep wrapping paper and cards? I'd have thought they should be recycled.

Gliblet · 23/12/2025 12:30

Bicarb - although you're going to need a lot of it. You can put an open pot of it inside a container with whatever needs to be de-stinked, you can sprinkle it on things then dust it off a few hours later... Paper does hold on to that smell particularly well though, I'd only make the effort with things that had legal, historical or sentimental value.

Glitterbiscuits · 23/12/2025 13:01

Anything fabric
I’d try Dettol laundry Sanitizer. I find it excellent. You could make a spray if things can’t be machine washed.

JumpLeadsForTwo · 23/12/2025 13:46

For the fabrics, pour some neat vodka into a spray bottle, spray liberally and then leave outside on a windy day. Worked very well for a cigarette smoky leather and fabric bag which I couldn’t wash

almondflake · 29/12/2025 17:48

I have read about coffee being used to remove musty odours from books and paper goods , you place your items in a box with an unopened jar of cheap coffee and the coffee absorbs the musty smell , the coffee can be re used over and over again

SomethingRattling · 29/12/2025 21:25

almondflake · 29/12/2025 17:48

I have read about coffee being used to remove musty odours from books and paper goods , you place your items in a box with an unopened jar of cheap coffee and the coffee absorbs the musty smell , the coffee can be re used over and over again

Unopened really- how can it absorb the smell?

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