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Cleaning Up:  Leather handbag with odor  |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 06:16:54 AM
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I just got a cool old hippie-style handbag as a flea-market find, but it has a funky, almost mildewy, maybe old smoker odor. I've been hanging it outside during the day to hopefully air out, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for deodorizing an old leather handbag.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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Farmer Judy
True Blue Farmgirl
433 Posts
Judy
North Aurora
IL
USA
433 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 06:25:41 AM
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I know that Old Farmers Almanac said to put cumpled newspaper in shoes to get the odor out, maybe that would work with this handbag too?
God bless,
Judy
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 06:47:58 AM
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Awesome idea Judy...thank you!!
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3324 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3324 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 07:07:55 AM
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What about Saddle Soap?
Melody
Farmgirl #525 |
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Missus Miranda
True Blue Farmgirl
285 Posts
Miranda
Thrall
TX
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 07:12:48 AM
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Melody, good idea. Saddle soap would not only (possibly) take the smell out, but help condition it. More than likely, the smell comes from how the leather was treated before the purse was made.
When I worked in western wear, I found out why I didn't like Mexican leather. The smell comes from what they use to treat it. I kid you not, it's "treated" with horse urine! 
Let me dig through my kit and see if I can't find other ways to freshen up that leather!
"I'm not trying to be mean or cantankerous. I just wish people would do the right thing, and use a little common sense." ~ Farmgirl 3535
Pflugerville, TX
http://www.tawnycow.blogspot.com/ |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 07:19:59 AM
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Melody, I had definitely considered Saddle Soap, or Glycerin Soap, which is what I use on my saddle and horse tack. Any additional tips would be much appreciated Miranda...this might be a multi-step process. I just picked up the bag late last week and then got all involved with Thanksgiving, so I haven't really had much time to tackle the problem except by hanging it outside to keep it from stinking up our closet.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 1:32:41 PM
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| Charcoal! I got a loveseat sofa at a thrift shop once, and when I got it home, realized it had that same funky/smoke odor. I covered the entire sofa in a giant plastic bag (heaven knows where I found it!) and put a big cake pan of natural charcoal briquettes in with it, on the floor under the sofa. Left it like that for a week, and when I opened the bag, the smell was totally gone, never to return. You have to use the charcoal that doesn't have lighter fluid built in. |
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mndreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
191 Posts
Vicky
Popple Creek
MN
USA
191 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 1:39:26 PM
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I agree with Mara! Charcoal works for so many things.
~Vicky~
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. ~~Ronald Reagan
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henlady35904
True Blue Farmgirl
295 Posts
Kim
Gadsden
Alabama
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 2:41:29 PM
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Paula, pour some unused coffee grinds inside and let it sit a few days. Also tea tree oil soaked cotton ball. I also use plain charcoal as well. Good luck!
Farmgirl Sister #2667 |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Dec 04 2011 : 07:57:49 AM
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Charcoal is a great deodorizer, but, use the fish tank filter type in a small dish with some baking soda added, set inside of open purse, them put inside of bag, works reall fast...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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Farmer Judy
True Blue Farmgirl
433 Posts
Judy
North Aurora
IL
USA
433 Posts |
Posted - Dec 05 2011 : 06:53:20 AM
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What about used tea bags? set a small container with them inside the purse, I use them in the fridge to keep all the icky smells away from what my kids didn't close all the way.
God bless,
Judy
Farmgirl #3666
Born a city girl but a farm girl at heart!
http://farmtimes.blogspot.com/ |
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
694 Posts
Emily
Chambersburg
PA
USA
694 Posts |
Posted - Dec 09 2011 : 9:05:37 PM
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I would put it into a plastic bag and put a dryer sheet in there. We did that to wedding gowns at the store when they would come in smelling like china
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Farmgirl #2951
No longer renting, offical farmgirl. |
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StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Dec 11 2011 : 09:31:55 AM
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Well, I've been trying all of the de-oderizing tricks, but the mildew smell remains. So, I'm going to try Saddle Soap next. I do think that the charcoal and newspaper took out the smoker smell. It is just that the leather had some mildew in it too. I've been able to remove mildew from old saddles before, so this might provide the finishing touch!
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
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Cleaning Up: Leather handbag with odor |
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Leather handbag with odor
