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  • How to get rid of a musty smell in an old machine

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    Old 11-03-2010, 03:30 PM
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    I am a newbie and found an old Singer (50's) in it's case in a big plastic bag. It smells musty and I have tried airing it out in the sun, packing it with newspapers, putting some vanilla in it, but so far no luck. Any ideas?? :?:
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    Old 11-03-2010, 03:38 PM
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    Baking soda absorbs odors, if you could find a container to put it in and cover the machine along with the baking soda. It will probably take a few days, or maybe a week or two.

    There are probably others with better ideas, too.

    Also wipe it down as much as possible with a damp cloth and baking soda, getting into the nooks and crannies as best you can. Rinse the cloth in the baking soda water often.
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    Old 11-03-2010, 03:54 PM
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    I put some charcoal briquettes in one and it got rid of the smell. Then leave a downey dryer sheet in it.
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    Old 11-03-2010, 04:02 PM
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    ahhhhh I thought I read somewhere that LIGHT will kill the mold spores - and that maybe what's making it smell.

    AT YOUR RISK - try putting a light in it - BUT WATCH IT - KEEP IT WITHIN EYE SIGHT - DON"T LEAVE THE HOUSE.

    I've never tried it - just read it somewhere on one of the forums for older machines - don't know it it'll work or if it's just old wives tales.

    Good luck
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    Old 11-03-2010, 04:24 PM
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    Maybe set a bowl of vinegar on the floor and set the case over it for a few days? Or lightly sponge on some vinegar?
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    Old 11-03-2010, 04:28 PM
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    The only thing that took a yucky smell out of some shoes my DD bought was fabreeze.... we had tried everything else & I hadn't even heard of fabreeze.....worked great, couldn't believe it!
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    Old 11-03-2010, 04:47 PM
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    My featherweight had a case that smelled musty. I got some Odor Eaters shoe insoles (the ones with carbon in them) and put one in the case. No more musty smell!
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    Old 11-03-2010, 05:17 PM
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    I've had great luck using those little packets that come in a box with new shoes. Throw a few in the case and wait a few days. Good luck!
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    Old 11-03-2010, 05:22 PM
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    Cat litter...(new), bounce fabric sheets, those pkg that comes with new shoes, baking soda usually works. did on my fw, took about a week or so though.
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    Old 11-03-2010, 05:42 PM
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    The packages that come with shoes are silica gel. You can get it at craft stores because it is used for drying flowers. I put some in each of my machine's cases because I live in a moist climate.
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