Getting Rid of a Musty Smell on Equipment

gordrob

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I have been given some large format cameras, lenses and accessories that have been in storage for the last 20 years. There are two cases that had a musty smell when the cases were opened and I have not been able to get rid of the smell. Has anyone had experience with getting rid of the musty smell from stored equipment?
 

retina_restoration

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I once bought a Kodak Signet 35 in its original leather case, and it had obviously been in someone's cellar for decades and smelled like it had. I put the case out on the laundry line in the sun for five months and the stink was almost as bad as when I got it. I think you'll find that if airing it out for a few months doesn't clear the smell, then nothing will.
 
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gordrob

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Not the answer I was looking for but what I expected. I have tried putting the lenses in a bag with desiccant bags but that hasn't worked either. Thanks for the reply
Gord
 

xkaes

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I'd first determine if the stink is from the gear or the container. Nine out of ten times, in my experience it's been the container -- usually cloth, leather, foam, etc. That's going to be more difficult to remove. I've never heard of STINKY-BE-GONE, but that or just activated charcoal or cedar chips might help/work -- but it might take a long time. Moths ball are good for killing mold, if you suspect that -- but in that case getting rid of the container is probably prudent. Some containers can be washed in one way or another -- with a scented cleanser. Another option to try is moth balls -- camphor.

If the stink is in the gear, I'd just leave it in a safe well-ventilated place -- out of the container -- for as long as needed. Stink doesn't stick to metal or glass very well.

Finally, whenever I get something that smells old/musty I do a thorough search for MOLD!!!!
 

xya

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For a lot of things just air and sunlight has worked well for me. Wipe them first with water + detergent or alcohol, depending on what it is. And never keep leather or plastic cases with the stuff, just store these apart. Under most circumstances this was sufficient.

If it didn't help: It may sound weird, but I use roasted coffee beans. It worked for smelly books as well as for photo equipment. A handfull of fresh roasted beans put into the box for some months did work marvels. You may renew the beans from time to time. Ground coffee works either, but not as well...
 

Kino

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I have had mixed results with a spray product called "Zero Odor", odor eliminator - multi purpose. Sometimes it works near instantly, others... nada.

Might be worth a try.

Zero Odor | Permanently Eliminate Odors

Zero Odor is guaranteed to completely and permanently eliminate odors that other products can’t touch — and Zero Odor doesn't leave a scent after application.
www.zeroodor.com

Barring that, if there is no other solution but to discard the container after trying everything else mentioned, give it a good scrub of distilled water with a splash of household bleach and sit it in the sun to dry.

If you are going to toss it anyway, what will it hurt?
 

Rick A

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Put your gear in a box with an open can of ground coffee. It may take a few days but (IME) it will remove the odors.
 

Willy T

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FWIW, I just received a Konica MR 640 through eBay that arrived reeking of mildew.

Though previously having flopped at getting rid of bad smells in gear, before rejecting and returning it, used Q-tips and cotton swabs lightly dampened with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and rubbed it down all over on every surface, nook, and cranny I could reach, inside and out, including the bit of foam around the film window.
Left it with the film door open all afternoon. Mildew smell now seemingly gone.
Best of luck
 

xkaes

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How about leaving it in a darkroom for a while with an open tray of acetic acid stop bath? That sure clears out may passages!!!
 

_T_

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There are different smells that you could be referring to when you say the gear smells musty. There could be mold or mildew, there could be a buildup of tar from being in a smoker's house, a bunch of different things.

One thing it could be is that the materials used to make the cases are breaking down, old plastics and glues and especially foams could be degrading and releasing byproducts into the air. If this is what is happening then you might remove the smell from the gear, but the cases will continue to smell as they will continue to degrade and release whatever it is that's causing the smell.

How you remove the smell will depend on the cause of the smell, but if the materials used to construct the cases are themselves the source of the smell you might be better off getting rid of the cases.
 

Patrick Robert James

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The best thing I have found it an ionizer. You can get a small one on Amazon for not much then just put it in a box with your problem thing and seal it up for a day or two out in your garage or porch. Takes care of it.
 
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gordrob

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Thanks for all the suggestions. I will probably start with the coffee beans and see what that brings. Just waiting for my wife to take the dog for a walk so I can raid her Starbucks beans.
 

RalphLambrecht

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Put an open tray with baking soda into the tray for a week or so, and then air out the case to get rid of the smell eventually.
 

KinoGrafx

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Am I the only one who actually likes “old camera smell”?
 

F4U

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It'll go away for the most part. Use it and it will start smelling like you or like yours, to other people. Years later, that will be the prevailing smell to them, along with some amount of "old and musty". There's nothing wrong with it if the camera does a good job. Smells better than a wet dog or a polecat, doesn't it? Take a brand new Speed Graphic for instance. What does it smell like? Oh... wait.
 

skylight1b

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This is going to sound like an odd suggestion, but there is a spray that people use with musty sewing machine cases that works really well. These cases are from the 1930s-1960s and almost always smell terrible. I wouldn't suggest using it on the camera itself as I have no idea what it is made of.

Case Deodorizer from The Featherweight Shop
 

xkaes

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Patrick Robert James said:
The best thing I have found it an ionizer. You can get a small one on Amazon for not much then just put it in a box with your problem thing and seal it up for a day or two out in your garage or porch. Takes care of it.
Click to expand...

Depends.

Ineffective for odors and gases​

Ionizers don’t destroy odors and gases, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are released from products like paints, cleaning supplies, and adhesives.
VOCs are considered to be indoor pollutants and may cause health problems. Unfortunately, ionizers are ineffective for reducing VOCs in the air.
 

xkaes

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I think I'll try some of these tips the next time the in-laws are in town.
 

Kodachromeguy

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What items smell?

● Cases. Are they leather, fabric, cardboard? I'd suggest discard. Why spend time on them?
● What does "stored equipment" mean? Leather Bellows on a camera? Do lenses have internal fungus? Try some of the suggestions above. If the lenses are growing, I suggest professional cleaning.
 

DREW WILEY

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The problem is that you've got mildew and mold growing on the leather and other permeable surfaces. It has to be killed. Ordinary Clorox style bleach will damage the material itself, or bleach it. You'd want to look at other styles of mold control with reference to their fine print instructions per their valid applications. But don't dare try any of that kind of treatment on a camera mechanism or lens. Exposure of those surfaces to prolonged UV light, even direct sunlight, might help.

Sometimes the only remedy is the garbage can, especially for leather or cloth cases beyond remediation. Hopefully, your cameras and lenses are free from mold. Bellows might deserve special treatment if affected.
 
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gordrob

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The case I am working on right now is an older Kodak Vulcanoid case with some fabric lining inside. I have put some coffee beans in the case this morning and closed it up with some film holders and a Calumet Roll Film Holder inside.
The equipment stored inside was a Calumet 4x5 with two lenses. The camera is on a tripod right now airing out but there is definitely a must smell to the bellows. There is no evidence of any fungus or anything growing on any of the pieces. So Test #1 is underway with the coffee bean. I should be able to report back in a couple of days if the coffee beans are having any effect.
I have tried putting the lenses in a bag with desiccant bags to see it would pull the odor of the lens but after a month it hand only a small effect on the odor on the lens.
 

Jojje

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I'd try putting in a plastic bag with sodium carbonate (washing soda). Worked with teenager's running shoes.
 

xkaes

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In the case of the bellows, regardless of what it is made of, test it for light leaks first. There is a good chance it's too far gone anyway.
 
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