Deodorizing new with tags in-box toys?

[psimon]

I have a large collection of barbie dolls and beanie babies that are brand new. The Barbies are still fresh in their boxes and the beanie babies all have their tags. All of them were simply bought and put away.

The issue is that they have been in a house that has been closed up for almost 5 years and they smell like they have been in a house that has been closed up at least that long!

What is the best way to deodorize them so they maintain the "new" quality, yet will no longer smell?

All thoughts greatly appreciated!

Many thanks.....

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[jaminmd]

Febreze can be used on the plush items but it would leave water stains on the boxes. Do you have an outdoor area that you can leave them overnight, when the weather is nice, and just let them air out?

 

[psimon]

Febreze can be used on the plush items but it would leave water stains on the boxes. Do you have an outdoor area that you can leave them overnight, when the weather is nice, and just let them air out?

Thanks for the response.

I have brought other things home and left them in my garage. They still have an odor 3 months later!

I have tried leaving things on my deck during the day in the sun. It needs lots of days!

I want to move these things out of the house so I can put it on the market but bringing them into my house would make my garage unbearable.

Any other ideas? All are welcome.

---Paul in southern NJ

 

[Lvsdisney]

Maybe put them in a paper bag with either a dryer sheet or maybe some baking soda? The dryer sheet may give them the "fresh" smell like febreeze would. Baking soda is supposed to absorb odors.

 

[Kaytie]

https://www.hunker.com/12585075/how-to-get-rid-of-musty-odors-from-toys

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-mold-and-mildew-from-plastic-barbie-dolls/

 

[Eastern]

I have brought other things home and left them in my garage. They still have an odor 3 months later!

Any other ideas? All are welcome.

Seriously, I would just throw them out.

 

[psimon]

Seriously, I would just throw them out.

I would consider that except I know that the collection of Barbies, because of the quantity and because they are all still Mint in Box, are worth lots of money... over a couple of $1000. To just chuck them hurts. That is why I am trying to revive them.

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Sadie22]

Ask an antique dealer what to do.

 

[Eastern]

Well there are a lot of tips on 'how to get rid of musty smells in dolls' if you google it. The problem would be the boxes. Not sure how you could get a mold/mildew smell out of paper because it's probably embedded in there. Also cleaning them may decrease the value if you are selling them to a collector. Fabric and paper do not hold up over time unless they are kept in proper humidity/temperature. I've learned that the hard way. Maybe offer them for sale with the odor noted and let that person decide what to do about it. Someone who really wants a certain collectible may not care.

 

[Gigi22]

I once asked a paper conservator how to get the musty smell out of old l.p. record
covers and was told to bury them in a clay-based cat litter for a few days. Of course you would have to take precautions against passing cats. If this doesn't work, I suggest you contact a local paper conservator.

 

[Kaytie]

I would consider that except I know that the collection of Barbies, because of the quantity and because they are all still Mint in Box, are worth lots of money... over a couple of $1000. To just chuck them hurts. That is why I am trying to revive them.

---Paul in Southern NJ

I would double check that before you put a lot of effort into getting the smell out. Unless they're vintage, they're probably not worth what you think. The collectible dolls really aren't. There are too many of them.

Maybe in a hundred years...

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Maybe put them in a room with Fresh Wave? That stuff seems to work miracles on getting odors out of houses, rooms, etc. Even skunk smells.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would not leave them in the sun for cumulatively many hours no matter how many day spread out.

The sun would cause deterioration whose first visible evidence is bleaching.

Also I would not spray any liquid such as Febreze or alcohol on them.

One possible cause is dust mites. Another possible cause is periods of high humidity that basements and garages can have.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Put them in a large rubbermade tote box with some plain charcoal briquettes, about 10 briquettes. Charcoal naturalizes odors and absorbs moisture. Leave the items in the box with the lid on and on day 3 remove the charcoal briquettes and replace with a fresh set briquettes. The odor should be gone by day 6.

 

[Earstou]

Use a large tote or garbage can with a tight fitting lid. Add cat litter to bottom of container, add your item on top, close lid tightly and leave for awhile. Length of time to leave it varies per item (size of item and degree of odor affect length of time).