The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I bought a nice little record cabinet at the last Stanton auction. It cleaned up very nicely and a light retouch of the finish has it looking great. But... it stinks. It has a musty odor that won't go away. I sprayed a bunch of Lysol into it and quickly shut the door to capture it inside. Didn't help much at all. Any ideas? Anyone had success with eliminating this musty odor?

Theories from guitar collectors whose items suffer from the same issues.

Leave opened outside exposed to the sun (days).
Coffee grounds left inside (month or so) closed case.
Box of opened baking soda left inside (month or so).
Good luck.

bob stutz

Hmmm.... sometimes, the simplest approach may be best. It if were me, I would grab one of those small scented candles from Bath and Body Works, Yankee Candle, or one of those scented packs available from Scentsy and close that up inside the cabinet for a week or so. Obviously, you might want to be picky what kind of scent you choose - because you will be trading one smell for another..... LOL.

But, a good smell would be better than a musty smell. Just thinking out loud....

If it's a biological odor- mold, mildew- I've had excellent luck with this:

Use extra strength Febreeze... It took the absolutely horrid smell from our suitcases that remained in the storage area of our burned up tour bus. This bus completely burned to the ground in Bavaria - we were lucky to get off...

Wow! Lots of good advice. Thanks!

Juniperus virginiana

https://www.wood-database.com/aromatic-red-cedar/

The planer/jointer shavings:

https://www.amazon.ca/PETSPICK-Cedar-Be ... r=8-2&th=1

Fill a metal container, pail or bowl, with shavings. Pour in boiling water. Let the shavings steep. When cool strain through cheese cloth, retaining liquid. Take a soft cloth, put it in the liquid, and then wring it out to damp.

Test the damp cloth on a non-visible area of the cabinet finish. If OK wipe the surfaces of the cabinet interior. Let dry.

Pack the cabinet with dry shavings. Close the door. Leave for a couple of months.

Juniperus virginiana has powerful anti-fungal properties and works wonders with mould and mildew and associated musty odors. I have used it on books, leather goods, 78s, guitar amplifiers, musical instrument cases, and musical instruments. One of my lutes had a nice fur coat when I first got it.

It will do what bleach, vinegar, and cleaning products can't do.

For things that can't be washed, just store them in shavings.

Janitorial supply companies typically sell enzyme odor eliminator concentrate, used primarily in the carpet cleaning industry. Works great. One bottle is a lifetime supply.

Another odor eliminator I see advertised a lot is Pooph. Never used it so I don't know how good it works.