How to get rid of "musty" smell on saxes and sax cases

[Lenny3619]

Is there something out there that will help get rid of that terrible smell from
the instrument being stored in a damp location for years?

Thanks,

Len

[PDC Sensha]

<<Really, a few days to two weeks in
the sun and fresh air will usually do it. UV rays kills most mold
spores.>>

Sharper Image sells a series of ozonators (ozone generators) for deodoring
everything from your closet to your shoes. Running about 35.00 dollars or so,
they will knock down the nastest pair of hockey skates in two treatments, and
they do not create corrosion in the process. I've only tried this technique
with a junk sax, but it worked pretty well (the deodorizing part that is, the
sax was trashed going in) without any evidence of harming the horn.

Moving companies often have a "ozone room" that does the same thing on a grand
scale. The Sharper Image route will cost you about the same, but you'll have
the ability to repeat it as needed on future projects.

Terry L. Stibal
pdcs...@aol.com

[Roberto Delpiano]

I had a sax case that smelled very bazd because of mold. Humidity from sax after
playing got into the padding (a BAM case, soft foam)
I tried vinegar and sun it did not work, but I could get rid of everything With
LYSOL desinfectant spray.
5 bucks at local Wal Mart. Get the big one and spray at least half of it.

Roberto

[Gerry]

In article <37C776FB...@delpiano.com>, Roberto Delpiano
<rob...@delpiano.com> wrote:

> I had a sax case that smelled very bazd because of mold. Humidity from sax after
> playing got into the padding (a BAM case, soft foam)
> I tried vinegar and sun it did not work, but I could get rid of everything With
> LYSOL desinfectant spray.
> 5 bucks at local Wal Mart. Get the big one and spray at least half of it.

The only problem being that your horn now smells like Lysol?

--
\\\--- Gerry
---------------------------------------------------
American Democracy -- the best that money can buy!

[Gary Papazian]

Dryer Sheets will work wonders

[Roberto Delpiano]

Gerry wrote:

> In article <37C776FB...@delpiano.com>, Roberto Delpiano
> <rob...@delpiano.com> wrote:
>
> > I had a sax case that smelled very bazd because of mold. Humidity from sax after
> > playing got into the padding (a BAM case, soft foam)
> > I tried vinegar and sun it did not work, but I could get rid of everything With
> > LYSOL desinfectant spray.
> > 5 bucks at local Wal Mart. Get the big one and spray at least half of it.
>
> The only problem being that your horn now smells like Lysol?

No, I left the case in the sun for an afternoon, and the lysol (comes in several
flavours - mine was "crisp linen") evaporated promptly, and next day just smelled ...
no mold anymore.
I was impressed too ... ;-)
Roberto

[Steve Carmichael]

There iss a product you can get at the grocery store that was made to
eleminate odors. Fabreez is it's name. I have used this on musty cases
and it works. You just spray it on.
Steve

[Roberto Delpiano]

As far as I know it's FEBREZE.
I checked it out too, but it seems to me (because of the kind of container) that more than
being actually sprayed (violently expelled through the use of CFC or whatever "ozone safe"
stuff it's been used now) it's just "hand propelled".
My observation: probably the components are not so "volatile" (less chemicals and more
water) and can't reach the more crucial areas in the bottom of foam padding. Those that are
the more important, after all, since mold (that is a fungus) will grow again starting from
there.
Just an idea
Roberto

[Gerry]

I just did the routine on my practially emetic trombone case. I thought
it was beyond hope. I did as indicated, left it in the hot California
sun for the weekend, bringing it in in early evening before the dew
could get to it, and taking it back out about 10am.

It's practically stink free. Amazing. Maybe a little valve-oil smell
that's about it. I guess I'll leave the horn out there for a day too.

My wife, for a completely different reason picked up a bottle of
febreeze today at the store, if I have more problems I might try
spraying some of that on the case.

While on the topic of stink wars, I just got a toiletries bag with lots
of clear plastic dividers that smell like--well, plastic, of course.
Pretty intense. My intent is to load it with chromatic harmonicas for
which it seems particularly well suited--with the harps out of their
plastic cases. Naked as it were.

I really go to a lot of trouble to keep my harps stench-free. Probably
too much. But anywho, does anyone know how I can remove completely
this plastic smell from the toiletries case.

Any guess appreciated.

[David Blumberg]

FEBREZE works pretty well on the case, but not 100%. Get a new case. The
Sax - replace all pads, and have the Sax dipped by a technician. Hopefully
that will do it, or at least make it a whole lot better. I stay away, far
away from those instruments - can't hack the smell.

David Blumberg
pla...@mytempo.com
Boosey & Hawkes - Rico Corp Grand Concert Artist
http://www.mytempo.com Accompaniments for Woodwind Players Custom Tempo
on Audio CD - Over 250 Pieces

---------------------------

Roberto Delpiano <rob...@delpiano.com> wrote in message
news:37C99000...@delpiano.com...

[Michael]

Two things. First, sunlight is the best deodorant there is! Leave the case open
in a sunny area. Second, sprinkle baking soda inside the case and leave it closed
for a few days, then blow it out with an air hose. Most of the musty smell from
the horn is in the pads, and won't go away until you strip down the horn, wash it,
and replace the pads, corks, and felts.