Getting rid of Moldy / Musty smell from Fibre Case ?

[Luddite Frank]

I just unpacked a nice 4x5 Graflex View mono-rail kit today.

As soon as I opened the cardboard shipping box, I could smell "that musty-moldy smell", which became very intense when I opened the fibre compartment case.

The contents are in decent condition, no lens fungus or metal corrosion, just some whitish mold on plastic knobs and the black & yellow Kodak filter cases.

The hard surfaces I can clean easily enough.

My big question is for the black flannel-lined compartment case itself... is there something I can treat the insides with to kill the mold / smell ?

I have successfully used white vinegar in a spraybottle to treat wooden talking machine cabinets that have developed a moldy funk, but am unsure about using it on fabric...

Ultimately I do not want to use something that is going to leave behind a toxic / corrosive residue that will harm the contents...

😕

 

[rlouzan]

Try Lysol.

 

[daveleo]

This is a guess, not experience.
Possibly a medicated, anti-bacterial body powder (from the drug store).
You would have to be sure to vacuum it all out after a few days.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have had success letting material bake in the sun for a few days....don't leave out overnight. The oxidation will kill anything and will also not harm the fabric.

 

[Highway 61]

Isopropylic alcohol in a spraybottle. Spray a lot, then let dry outside on a sunny day. Do it again if necessary. You will be done with no problem.

The combination of alcohol and air will kill everything, as Ray wrote.

The white vinegar may leave stains on fabric ; pure alcohol won't.

 

[John Shriver]

White fuzz on old plastic knobs may not be fungus. It may be the lead from the plasticisizers leaching out. Pretty common on plastics from the 1950's and 1960's. Easy enough to clean up, but realize that the white lead that you're taking off is not good for anyone's health: don't ingest it, and dispose of it responsibly.

 

[John Shriver]

As for the musty smell, it's mildew. I read instructions on how to de-mildew old magazines, that should also work for this. Get "para" moth flakes. (Not moth balls.) Put the case in a big black plastic trash bag. Throw in some moth flakes. Seal bag, leave out in sun for a few days.