Musty Boxes

I have seen odor absorbing packets that you can place inside the box for a while.  I just can't remember where I had seen them though.  Have you left it open for a while to just air it out?  You definitely need to get the foam portion out of the box for a while.

I agree that airing it out should work.  I've wiped down boxes with a laundry dryer sheet.  At least it puts a better scent on it.

 

Phil

Put an open container of baking soda in the box.

Good suggestions so far. Sunlight will get rid of mold on most surfaces. If you take any inserts, etc. out, wipe off the styrofoam with a damp cloth and leave the open box in bright sun next time you have any, it should get rid of the smell. (Set the box out open, of course, and you might want to turn it around so one side doesn't get all the sun.) If you're afraid it'll fade--one day shouldn't do much, but in case--a paper bag of fresh unscented cat litter left inside the empty box for a week or so will usually dry and de-musty most things.

Thanks for the ideas. I did air the box in the sun all day. The foam inserts were also aired out seperately. I am going to put the baking soda inside the box next. my wife said just throw out the box. I said ,are you crazy? The box is for a lionel bigboy and it is mint except for the smell.

I think it's a lost cause and foresee impending divorce.  I think the best course of action is to pack it back in the musty box and send it to me!!!

I have had some limited success with microwaving old books that smell musty. You have to be careful to not melt the glue. I would not try to microwave the styrafoam, but would try it on the paper box.

 

Try it in 10 second bursts, and let it cool down inbetween bursts.

 

That is, assuming you can get it into the microwave. It's easier with books than boxes.

Here is what I do...
Newspaper and a brown paper bag.
Crumple up newspaper and stuff it in the box and styrofoam.  Then wrap it in a few layers of newspaper.  Place that inside the paper bag.  Roll up bag and leave it for 24hrs.

Repeat the process.
After a total of two days, it will smell fine.  If not, do it one more time.

I learned this when getting rid of musty smell in old books.

Newspaper also gets rid of that smell in boxcars bought secondhand.

Karma is a B***H!  I got my new to me K line 10 car K line passenger set and all the boxes have the musty smell!  Good thing I am not married!  Will report back on methods listed here as I try them.

Place news paper inside the box then pack it inside a box with more newspaper and leave sit for a few weeks.

 

gandy

I have heard of placing items with the musty smell in your freezer for a few days to get rid of the smell.

 

This is excessive, but when I had smoke damage, the insurance company sent all of my stuff (books, paper, clothing, trains, everything) to a company with, what the guy explained or claimed, was "an ozone chamber". Don't know the true process or the equipment, but everything came back without any smoke smell at all. Really amazing. Don't know if this works on musty smells. And again, it is extreme and probably prohibitive. But the more you know...

Timbo, reminded me of the same process.

 

Our dry cleaner in town had a room built where he would remove smoke and odors from clothing and drapes after a fire or just from smoking in the house. He had a separate room built, a ozone system feeding the room and after a period of time the items would come out smelling fresh.

 

I would try a local dry cleaners or a company that does fire damage clean up.