SMELLY OLD SAFE

Vet

I recently got a good deal on a large safe,problem is it smells. Does anyone have a favorite remedy to remove the old musty smell from it.I have been told by a few antique dealers to use 90 proof vodka, this will take out the smell. Im not sure if they ment that I should wipe the safe down with it, or drink it.Seriously does anyone have a remedy for this problem.Thanks Larry

nepbrs44

Try both suggestions..........clean and

atomic

I suggest a compromise... clean the safe with half the vodka and drink the other.
Atomic

airplanenut

Baking Powder... or Soda... one of them will come in a box that tells you it gets rid of smells.

Jeremy

atomic

And while we're on the topic, the answer to yesterday's question about which is better for coin grading, beer or vodka, the answer is yes.
Atomic

mgoodm3

Spray it with one of those odor neutralizers like fabreze. Maybe then it will smell like musty flowers.

Prometheus183

What Jeremy said. Baking Soda will absorbe the odors. If you're in a dry climate, you should leave it open for a few days. Also, place an opened package of saltine crackers in it to absorbe any humidity (as you would in a sugar bowl).
The baking soda works great in gun safes too (for those that have them). No more oily smells.

Oh, one other thing. If the safe had cloth in it,... felt lining,.. remove it. Put new lining in after it's purged.

Craig

MJPHELAN

Don't clean it with anything that will affect coins!

Jody526

I'll bet some of the new safes don't smell so good either.

SAFE LINK

cacheman

So what was it keeping safe, farts?

ScarsdaleCoin

The cause may be mold from the storage of paper.....

Wash the area with soapy water (scrubbing with a brush may be necessary),
rinse and allow the area to dry.

Be careful of using chemicals as this may react to coins you wish to store for the future...

also is this a burglar safe or fire safe....there is a difference and can also create problems for future storage of material...good luck

Shamika

"I have been told by a few antique dealers to use 90 proof vodka, this will take out the smell."

90 proof vodka is more likely to take the smell out of you.

BigGreek

remove it? smell is usually extra.

LAWMAN

50 pounds of fertilizer and a match

ldhair

Some early fire safes will suck that smell into the walls of the safe.

It may never come out. Safes that have been in a flood can really have a problem.

Humidity will really increase the smell. I would wash it with alcohol (not vodka) or acetone.

No water and keep it open all you can.

Drink the vodka