Mold/mildew removal from fabric

[FallisPhoto]

Okay, here's one that is a little out of the ordinary. I recently bought a nice monorail view camera from the big auction site. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160199022213&ssPageName=ADME The camera itself had only a few insignificant problems which have all been fixed. That isn't the problem. The problem is the case. It's big, it's fabric-lined and it has some really severe issues with mold and mildew. I've straightened out the dings, painted the metal, waxed it, and it looks pretty nice. I've scrubbed the fabric with Resolve fabric cleaner and none of the mold is visible. However, all of that did very little for the smell. Quite frankly, the thing reeks. It can stink up a whole room in seconds. Anyone know of a way to remove the smell? I'd like to keep the case, but not the horrible odor accompanying it. Now since I am very likely to personally choke the life out of the first person who says anything about the smell lending it "character," and since I'd like to avoid that, can anyone help keep me out of prison (and help keep some simple-minded fool out of the morgue) by letting me know of your method of dealing with this problem?

 

[Letien]

Okay, here's one that is a little out of the ordinary. I recently bought a nice monorail view camera from the big auction site. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160199022213&ssPageName=ADME The camera itself had only a few insignificant problems which have all been fixed. That isn't the problem. The problem is the case. It's big, it's fabric-lined and it has some really severe issues with mold and mildew. I've straightened out the dings, painted the metal, waxed it, and it looks pretty nice. I've scrubbed the fabric with Resolve fabric cleaner and none of the mold is visible. However, all of that did very little for the smell. Quite frankly, the thing reeks. It can stink up a whole room in seconds. Anyone know of a way to remove the smell? I'd like to keep the case, but not the horrible odor accompanying it. Now since I am very likely to personally choke the life out of the first person who says anything about the smell lending it "character," and since I'd like to avoid that, can anyone help keep me out of prison (and help keep some simple-minded fool out of the morgue) by letting me know of your method of dealing with this problem?

If the smell is still there then may be the mold. Hydrogen peroxide bought from pharmacy will kill both mold and its spore.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

If the odor is in the fabric then the fabric may not be repairable. Consider removing the fabric, thoroughly clean the metal, & replace the fabric.

 

[literiter]

Hydrogen peroxide can work wonders on leather, not sure about cloth. Steve's idea may be the best and the safest because mold isn't a good idea healthwise.

Leaving the thing outside, open to the sunlight (as much as is possible considering the time of year) is a good idea. Sun will kill spores. Sun lamps will also work!

If you do get the smell down to a more manageable level consider throwing a few handfuls of fresh ground coffee to get more of the smell out.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Okay, I'll try the hydrogen peroxide first, and if that doesn't do the trick, then I will (reluctantly) throw some bleach in there (I know that will kill it, but it will ruin the cloth) strip out the cloth and try to find a replacement fabric.

(about two hours later) Okay, I tried the hydrogen peroxide, applied very liberally. Apparently it is working, because I now have about half an inch of fizzing foam all over the inside of the case. In a few hours, I'll hose it all out and see what the fabric looks like. I've used a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide/ammonia mix to kill fungus on lenses, but it never occurred to me to use hydrogen peroxide on anything else.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Hydrogen peroxide can work wonders on leather, not sure about cloth. Steve's idea may be the best and the safest because mold isn't a good idea healthwise.

Well, if it kills the mold, it should at least be rendered harmless, even if it doesn't get rid of the smell. I'm hoping it will do both though.

 

[literiter]

Well, if it kills the mold, it should at least be rendered harmless, even if it doesn't get rid of the smell. I'm hoping it will do both though.

I've tried the Hydrogen Peroxide on a lens once that had stuff on it (God knows what!) and it reacted with a great fizzing and cleaned the lens perfectly.

Good luck!!

 

[Bill58]

A light solution of Clorox/ water will surely kill all mold/ mildew (and the smell), but will fade fabric too. Maybe Hydrogen Peroxide is the safest as it won't harm fabric.

 

[FallisPhoto]

A light solution of Clorox/ water will surely kill all mold/ mildew (and the smell), but will fade fabric too. Maybe Hydrogen Peroxide is the safest as it won't harm fabric.

Well, I used the Hydrogen Peroxide (rather liberally -- used a whole quart) and got about half an inch of foam all over the inside of the case -- a pretty violent reaction. When it stopped fizzing, I waited aobut an hour, rinsed it out and let it dry. Looks very clean in there, I have no concerns about living mold being in it anymore, and the smell is VERY much reduced. Next, I guess I need to get some Febreze and spray it in there.

 

[dap]

I have used dilute vinegar solutions in the past to remove mildew smells from canvas camera bags. It works suprisingly well as long as you are able to rinse it really well afterwards (if you like your camera gear to smell like pickles feel free to skip the rinsing procedure ).

 

[Bill58]

I just remembered that Vinegar also kills mold/ mildew!!!

 

[FallisPhoto]

The hydrogen peroxide, followed by fabric deodorizer, seems to have done the trick. No odor at all, and this was really bad.

 

[rlouzan]

LYSOL® BRAND II DISINFECTANT
SPRAY, ALL SCENTS

Antibacterial action. Kills viruses, bacteria, mold and mildew.
Eliminates odours.​

 

[FallisPhoto]

I have used dilute vinegar solutions in the past to remove mildew smells from canvas camera bags. It works suprisingly well as long as you are able to rinse it really well afterwards (if you like your camera gear to smell like pickles feel free to skip the rinsing procedure ).

Actually, unless you are using something other than white distilled vinegar, it evaporates completely, leaving no odor (I use it for stop bath with FB paper because it is cleaner than commercial stop bath).

 

[FallisPhoto]

LYSOL® BRAND II DISINFECTANT
SPRAY, ALL SCENTS

Antibacterial action. Kills viruses, bacteria, mold and mildew.​

Eliminates odours.​

Sounds perfect, but too late. Where were you last week, when I needed to know about this? lol