Best thing to remove smoke smell from case interior

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 2 Jan 2013 12:59 pm

I recently purchased a used calton case for one of my Martin guitars. Unfortunately when the case arrived the interior smelled (smells) like a combination of cigarettes and cherry pipe tobacco.
I am an ex-smoker, but quit about 35 years ago.
The smell bothers me so much that I cannot use the case.
I am looking for something to use to remove the odor that won't leave residue that will harm the guitars finish.
Input will be appreciated.
regards,
Lefty

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 2 Jan 2013 1:43 pm

I've always heard to put a fabric softener dryer sheet (Bounce or equal)in it and close it up for a while.

Luke Juda · Post by **Luke Juda** » 2 Jan 2013 2:24 pm

Fender makes a spray called "Case Deodorizer" in a spray bottle. The product is made by Meguiar's. I had a guitar case I bought made in 1989 that smelled old and musty. It took several times of spraying and leaving the case open but the smell was removed. This product must air dry before putting your instrument back in the case. Can be bought at most music stores.

Larry Robinson · Post by **Larry Robinson** » 2 Jan 2013 2:28 pm

Lysol spray will usually kill odors and the bacteria that causes the odor.

Glenn Uhler · Post by **Glenn Uhler** » 2 Jan 2013 4:06 pm

The folks in the fire restoration business put smokey items in an ozone chamber overnight. Next morning, they blow fresh air into the chamber. With enough ozone, 99.99% of the smell is gone. A good brushing and vacuuming the inside of the case will help, along with some Febreeze.

Smokey is OK, if you're a ham!

Edward Byrne · Post by **Edward Byrne** » 2 Jan 2013 4:46 pm

ONION ! sliced, it takes in all the bacteria and stale odours, leave for a day or two, open case and remove onion, leave case open to lose the smell of ....er onion......you can then spray with a nice fabric conditioner, over here we have one called 'fabreze' should work ok!

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 2 Jan 2013 5:17 pm

I cleaned up a stinky case one time by letting it sit out open in the sun for a couple days.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 2 Jan 2013 5:34 pm

As per Bob, sunshine does wonders, especially on mild days.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 2 Jan 2013 11:07 pm

Yes, outdoor sunshine. Nature does wonderful things. When you take it in at night just put some baking soda in a cup and put it in the case and close the lid. Let it stand overnight. Between the outdoor treatment and the baking soda your smell will be gone in 2 days.

Michael Hummel · Post by **Michael Hummel** » 3 Jan 2013 6:47 am

Seeing as this was posted in the electronics section, I was hoping someone would come up with an electronics solution. Well, I guess an ozonator could be electronic...

Mike

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 3 Jan 2013 9:14 am

I don't like covering an odor with another odor. Fabreeze and dryer sheets smell. At least the ones that I've tried do. I've had the best luck with unscented ZorbX, from Lowe's. No smell to it at all.

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 3 Jan 2013 11:13 am

Michael Hummel wrote:Seeing as this was posted in the electronics section, I was hoping someone would come up with an electronics solution. Well, I guess an ozonator could be electronic...

Mike

I bought an ozonator to fix particularly smelly (mold) cases... it worked. They're about $120 on eBay... same one hotels use, has an internal fan, several ceramic ozone-making cartridges, and an internal UV lamp.

I took all the smelly cases I had and put them open, in a closet... let the thing work for two days, left them in there for several more. Luckily I have a closet in a bathroom with an exhaust fan... I wouldn't do it without this. It has a timer allowing a 1-hour treatment... or a continuous ON setting... that's the one I used for two days.

Ozone is a dangerously reactive version of oxygen... it smells kinda sweet, but is absolute hell on your lungs. As an asthmatic I was very sensitive to it... left the exhaust fan on for a week, both during and after the treatment. Putting the rig in a large cardboard box in the garage would work as well.

Edward Byrne · Post by **Edward Byrne** » 3 Jan 2013 1:43 pm

the 'sitting out in the Sunshine' solution, would NOT be an option here in Ireland,

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 5 Jan 2013 6:39 am

Thanks for all the input. I have been trying the Febreeze and putting the case under a ceiling fan.
It seems to be working pretty well. I will try the sunshine too when we get some.
regards,
Lefty

Danny Naccarato · Post by **Danny Naccarato** » 5 Jan 2013 7:12 am

Car dealers have put cut up (quarters) apples in the cars overnight to rid the cigarette smell

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 5 Jan 2013 8:26 am

coffee - just coffee grounds in a cheese cloth or even a cup full of dry grounds in a paper towel or just a flat dish - plus baking soda - but sunlight is great and we have 364 days of it in AZ - there is one outside on my patio now

If you have a good shop vac then just put a cup full in there loose - sounds crazy but it works

When truckers haul fish they throw a 3 pound can of coffee all over the floor of the truck over night then sweep it around the next day and then they can haul anything else and it will not smell like fish

Just did one the other day - sunlight works will too in AZ

If you need some sunshine in Ireland I would be glad to ship ya a box of it - Oh bout $100 per box you pay duty and freight

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 5 Jan 2013 8:37 am

Joe, you're sure talkin' up that sunshine...just remember you gotta eat them words, come summer.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 5 Jan 2013 9:19 am

nah we still have sunshine then tooooo

I do not complain about summers - I do not have to buy Sun Tires, shovel anything or scrap sunshine off my car windows - I remember all that crap that was why I moved to San Antonio and then to Phoenix

Small even interstate numbers - is my rule 10 is south of 40 and so on.

I checked that up and down I-35 in the middle of the country and liked I-35 and I-10 in San Antonio best out there.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Peter Harris · Post by **Peter Harris** » 5 Jan 2013 4:07 pm

Post the case to me..
I can fix it for you

...last Friday it was 45C here

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 6 Jan 2013 5:16 am

Vinegar essence worked well on my classic CSi Coupe (the one in my avatar), which had a funky smell when I bought it. Don't use it to wash the case, just leave a bowl of undiluted vinegar essence in the (closed) case for a day or two, that should absorb most of the odor.

Darrell Birtcher · Post by **Darrell Birtcher** » 6 Jan 2013 6:57 am

I have used ozone with great success. It is a powerful oxidizer and destroys the smell. You must be careful not to breath it and it can oxidize things you don't want oxidized but it really works.
You can rent the machines but they are typically sized for full rooms. I found some small ones for sale on the web that do a really good job and were not expensive. They have been life savers for me. Send me a PM and i'll get you info on the company if you decide to pursue this approach.

John Gould · Post by **John Gould** » 6 Jan 2013 11:27 am

The best thing that I have found to take the smokey smell out of any kind of music gear is Charcoal! It's cheap and does a great job. I put it in the case and close it and in a few days the smell is gone and you can still BBQ with the Charcoal.

Darrell Birtcher · Post by **Darrell Birtcher** » 6 Jan 2013 11:29 am

What a great idea! I'll have to try that sometime.Thanks!

Darrell Birtcher · Post by **Darrell Birtcher** » 6 Jan 2013 11:31 am

What a great idea! I'll have to try that sometime.Thanks!

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