STINK PACK PROBLEM. Any ideas?

Will Power

Will Power

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Jan 18, 2007
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Friends,

I'd like some advice please. recently got a Nubuck Messenger bag for work. It comes in handy indeed as it has some exterior pockets that take the PSK, compass, a folder,fire gear etc.

It's sturdy, very well finished&put together, good for the money, looks OK BUT IT STINKS HORRIBLY:barf:

Alright, it came from China.....As soon as the postman rang the doorbell& I had to sign for it, the exterior package STANK, monstrous:eek: It smells of a sinister combination of damp,mouldy warehouse and some revolting pesticide to keep insects&rodents at bay....Knowing what goes on there, this pesticide(if that's what it is)is likely very toxic.:eek:

I've had it airing for three days on the balcony and outside in the garden when I can keep an eye on it. It smells out the car and office, people were sniffing suspiciously in a meeting the other day due to the damp,mothball napthalene reek:D I'm really gutted as the bag could be fine, it has none of that nice leather smell at all.

Any remedies? I've sprayed it with waterproofing agent but so far no good.What else?

Regards, W
 
Baking soda is a tried-and-true methods of odor removal. Sprinkle it on the inside and outside of the pack and let it sit there for a day or so. Then take your vaccum cleaner and suck it all up again.

Another trick used for removing cigarette odor is to place a bowl of charcoal where it stinks. After a week or so it should have sucked up the odor. Dont know if itll work on your bag, and it takes along time too but its worth trying.

Good luck.
 
Read the instructions on washing it. Maybe throw it in the wasing machine?
 
I say send it back. There is no reason for you to have to jump through hoops just to make a product you paid for usable. If you ask me, I'd be surprised if it was ever right. Even if you get rid of most of the smell you'll probably still be able to detect it on close contact.
 
I'm not sure what material your bag is made of, but with many stinky items, (such as wetsuits) I've found that using a product for removing urine and feces odor from carpets works wonders. It is sold under sevaral brands in the pet section, get one that claims enzyme action. I don't think I would try it on leather, but if it is a manmade fiber I might try it. (you could test it on a small inconspicous spot to make sure it is safe.)

Good luck!

Grizz
 
Have you tried yelling at it?


Just a thought.


I would wipe it down with white vinegar and then fabreeze the hell out of it. Sounds like its not an organic smell. I used to put my ripe workboots in the freezer to defunkify them... but you are talking bacteria/mould with that.

Rick
 
If the other methods don't work, you might try putting it in a box with a shallow pan of household ammonia. This stuff gets rid of a wide variety of odors. I've used it to get rid of smells in new construction (carpet, paneling using formaldyhyde). It might tend to corrode metal fasteners on the pack though.
 
I would send it back and ask them to send you a new one that didn't smell like...., you know what.
 
nubuck - as in soft leather?
baking soda, saddle soap, baking soda - then once the smell is gone, lexol to soften it back up.
another option is to take it to a dry cleaner who specializes in leather products.
 
Usually, when a package comes in like that it means it sat around some nasty warehouse too long getting urinated and defacated on by the rats and mice. Could have gotten pesticides on it too. Leather will be hard and expensive to get that kind of nastiness out of. I wouldnt mess with it because of health and safety issues and would definately send it back for a clean one.
 
If it has a hint of a petroleum or the kerosene type of scent it is typical of imported Asian jute and sisal rugs. Hanging it out on a line in direct sunlight a few days should make a difference.
 
Alright, thanks for your comments-many have been helpful especially the baking soda method.

Sending it back, it's an e-bay item, is expensive and might result in either getting NO bag back or the same stink I fear, so, no.

Nubuck is a leather product, so I feel unsure about a vinegar wash, could try the inside though. Saddle soap sounds reasonable too.

I continue to expose it to the elements, some improvement but not much, whiffs around the house and my coat SMELLS from it...gave a lift in the car to a friend and she said "Has the car been in a flood? smells damp in here" Damn bag wasn't even in it, talk about aftermath..... Real shame, as it's a nice sturdy pack ...that reeks.
 
Ramm9 said:
If it has a hint of a petroleum or the kerosene type of scent it is typical of imported Asian jute and sisal rugs. Hanging it out on a line in direct sunlight a few days should make a difference.
Click to expand...

Uh ,uh! No such smell, more like old moth balls and damp! No sunlight here yet, i live in Scandinavia and it's dark & cold all day. Thanks for all your responses though.
 
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