nightbird84
|
posted on September 27, 2001 02:20:08 PM new
hi all,
Question - how do I get rid of a "smoke" smell from a book? I found a book at a garage sale and it smells of smoke but was a good find so got it - so now how to get the smell out!
Thanks!
Lauren
|
esteinberg
|
posted on September 27, 2001 05:04:07 PM new
Hi, nightbird!
Getting rid of a smoke smell or a musty smell is tough. I've had reasonable luck using kitty litter, a plastic bag & a cookie rack. Open a plastic garbage bag, put kitty litter on the bottom, fan the book out on a cookie rack, tie the bag shut & leave it for ca. 2 wks. Some people have suggested opening a box of baking soda instead of using kitty litter. Still others have suggested pouring vinegar into a bowl & closing the bowl up with the book in a bag (I'd worry the vinegar would spill, tho).
Others have suggested wrapping the book in a plastic baggie & putting in the freezer, but I worry about moisture warping the covers or something.
Sunshine oftentimes works, too. Again, fan the book out & leave in the sun.
Good luck whatever method(s) you try!
|
aliceroad
|
posted on September 27, 2001 05:18:54 PM new
I put the book in a plastic bag sourounded with crushed newspaper. After 24 hours, it is usualy alright. If not, I seal it for more time.
|
suz23
|
posted on September 27, 2001 06:56:58 PM new
I have had trouble getting rid of odd ordors or musty books~ the only thing that worked sofar for me was carpet freshener~ I believe it has a perfume smell and baking powder. I sprinkle over and on pages of books and then carefully vacuum out ~ very carefully~ have done this with hard to find expensive children's books! and it has worked ~ however, the kitty litter ( unused of course!) I will try next~ sunlight, baking power, vanilla on kleenex and wrapped books with the baking powder has never worked for musty/ smoke. I have also heard of charcoal in a box and then place the books in a box and shut tight. I am currently using a room deorizer ( sp) that comes in a jar that you open up ~ I use this in the room where my cats have their kitty litter and thought why now for my books~ I suspect this is charcoal base . Good luck!
|
capotasto
|
posted on September 27, 2001 08:08:49 PM new
Soaking it in paint thinner will get rid of the smoke odor.
But then it will smell like paint thinner!
|
ragmop
|
posted on September 27, 2001 08:12:45 PM new
I use kitty litter for larger items with musty/smokey smell but for most books I have had great luck by just sticking them in the microwave for a minute at a time till the odor is gone. Seldom takes more than 3 minutes.
I put them in closed and then fan them open for a few minutes after taking them out and Poof the odor is gone.
|
wranglers
|
posted on September 27, 2001 08:23:12 PM new
MOM MY POPCORN SMELLS LIKE AN ASH TRAY!!
|
ibuypaper
|
posted on September 27, 2001 08:27:57 PM new
Try Febreeze on paper towels. Seal with book for a day. Helps to have book fanned open.
|
sulyn1950
|
posted on September 27, 2001 09:54:13 PM new
ragmop-I just gotta know--what made you every try the microwave in the 1st place!?!?!? I can see trying baking soda, charcoal, kitty litter-these are know "odor eaters". But the microwave????? Not in a 1,000,000 years would I even think to try that! 
|
kept2much-07
|
posted on September 27, 2001 10:02:01 PM new
I do it the slow way. I'm always finding lots of good books but when they smell I usually just store them in a dry place for a couple of months before I sell them. But I must confess, I'm a bookaholic so I'm never in a hurry to get rid of them. It's just another excuse to keep them longer. 
|
nanntique
|
posted on September 28, 2001 01:11:53 AM new
Ever try a ziplock bag with a fabric softner sheet inside it?
|
esteinberg
|
posted on September 28, 2001 04:52:51 AM new
Does the kind of fabric softener sheet without a smell work? Some collectors might not like a book that smells of anything, except "book", I'm thinking.
I tried the microwave. CAUTION: If there's any gilt on the book, it "arcs"! Why didn't I think of that first?
|
sadie999
|
posted on September 28, 2001 05:24:05 AM new
Please don't use anything that has a distinct odor of its own.
A good friend is a book buyer on eBay. She stays at the low end of bidding because she knows that there are novices (like moi) mixed in w/the professional book sellers. She has literally thrown away half the books she's bought (not much on complaining and refunds, this lady) because of the smells. And much of the smells are from things like febreeze, fabric softener, etc.
Fresh air works wonders. So if you don't have smokers in your home, you should be able to get the smell out just by airing out the book for awhile.
|
nightbird84
|
posted on September 28, 2001 07:50:59 AM new
Wow - what great suggestions! Thanks all. I have the book in a plastic bag with newspaper to start per one suggestion. If that doesn't work will try the Sunshine thing. Am worried the microwave would warp it? I have some febreze as last resort but don't want my book to smell of that but that maybe will neutralize the odor.
Again thank you!!!!
Lauren
|
robnzak
|
posted on September 28, 2001 12:15:06 PM new
foot powder! trust me on this one. It works!
Rob
|
ezinkjetstore
|
posted on September 28, 2001 12:25:52 PM new
There is a product called Pink Rock sold at pinkrock.com that is mainly marketed as a stink remover for cat urine. But, it works great at removing any kind of odor. It's expensive, but it works.
|
tiggressoflove
|
posted on September 28, 2001 12:50:12 PM new
Rub zit creme into it (the vanishing kind), put in plastic, and dance naked around it. (the dancing doesn't help the smell, but boy it is fun!)
|
wranglers
|
posted on September 28, 2001 12:55:55 PM new
tiggressoflove
I think we need a visual of this one......................in case we want to try it......................PLEASE post pictures of the entire procedure in case we want to duplicate.....................Yeah that's it, in case we want to try it ourselves we want to get it right.
|
suz23
|
posted on September 28, 2001 05:13:39 PM new
I always put that in my auction ie if there is a left over pleasant smell ~ I say there is a slight perfume smell as many people are allergic to perfumes!
|
