Get rid of Mildew?

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:18 pm

What would be an easy, safe way to rid your bag of mildew smell? I've washed it in soap and water (maybe not enough soap?) and it still has that smell. I also tried Fabreeze which just seems to cover it up for awhile. Maybe Lysol spray? It's supposed to kill such things.

There's been a sugguestion of burying it in cat litter.

Baggers · Post by **Baggers** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:32 pm

Over on the reenactor boards the recommended fix is sunlight and fresh air. Just hang it from the branch of a tree or similar for a day or so. I wouldn't leave it overnight as some critter might gnaw on it, but anything should smell better after a good airing out.

But then, a lot of folks I know just consider that "old webbing smell" to be part of the mystique and have learned to live with it.

Cheers!

Indiana Wayne · Post by **Indiana Wayne** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:38 pm

"I love the smell of mildew in the morning."

Henry Jones Sr. · Post by **Henry Jones Sr.** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:59 pm

Just Search on "Bag and Stench". You'll find a variety of methods and philosophies from those who have gone on before...

Read through the threads carefully, and go with what works for you. No real right or wrong answers here, so long as the de-stenching process doesn't disintegrate the Mk VII itself (unless you're really into distressing

). Best of luck! Let us know what finally ends up working for you....

Sincere regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 4:17 pm

I've always used Lysol first. I then do what Baggers said and hang it out in the sunlight and fresh air.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 4:41 pm

I see that's your trademark answer HJSr

I found it again in my search.

I've got it outside drying after the hand wash.

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:43 pm

Pictures if you are interested.

It dryed pretty well in the sun this afternoon.
Here's the full process: I first tryed Fabreeze which covered up the smell, but didn't realy get rid of it.
Then, I hand washed it with a little dish soap. I let it dry for a little while in the sun and then sprayed it with Lysol. Now it smells like strang smelling Lysol if you stick your nose to it, but it doesn't eminate any smell from a distance at least. If I get board I might try another hand wash but with Oxy-clean this time. It's said to work pretty well. I think I'll keep the flap out of the water though. I'm afraid the Oxy-clean might get rid of the markings.

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:44 am

My experience with Oxy-clean hasn't been good! It bleaches the bag. Some might think this wierd, but I just take my MKVII and VI bags into the shower with me when they are ready for cleaning!

I just soap the bag up really,really well- inside and out- and rinse it-inside and out. They actually hold water pretty good, so you can fill it up, slosh it around-repeat.

This works excellent cleaning it in the hot soapy water. Afterwards, I lay a white towel out on a flat surface, shape the bag into it's normal shape, and let it dry overnight. The next day it's like a brand new bag-stiff and shaped back to new!

Then , if you really want to get rid of any 'canvas web gear smell' (which I like) just toss a dryer sheet of your preferred scent into it! That'll take care of it!

works for me

have a nice day.

Post by **Ken** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:36 am

I have washed all my bags in the washing machine with fabric softener. They soften and come out not smelling of military storage. I never had one disintegrate but have heard of this happening to other people.

Ken

Renderking Fisk · Post by **Renderking Fisk** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:11 pm

Texas Raider and I disagree on this. I swear by Oxy-Clean and I've never had bad results. Keep in mind that with all that mold and dirt there's no way to tell what the real color of the is until it's clean.

But that's just me... I don't know if he and I are using the same product the same way.

Henry Jones Sr. · Post by **Henry Jones Sr.** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 3:13 pm

IndyDoc wrote:I see that's your trademark answer HJSr I found it again in my search.

I've got it outside drying after the hand wash.

Well, you can't beat the research of the veterans!

I was pointed in that direction when I first started, too! As the site continually updates, occasionally ancient threads can fall through the cracks and be deleted (which usually sends us back to Michaelson!

), but this is one of those useful questions that seems to pop up at least once or twice a year, so--

Maybe folks should just start adding TM to their answers. Saves server space!

I know Renderking has at least one phrase which he could just mark TM. There are a few others I could think of as well....

So, as we're seeing again, almost every solution has different results for different Gearheads, depending on a number of situations (age and original condition of bag, supernatural forces, etc.). So, it comes down to educated guessing from past track record, and perhaps a bit of good fortune, to bring a dank, stinky old bag back from the dark side. Working with real antiques does have its risks....

Regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:08 pm

I got a 1939 Swedish gas mask bag for my girlfriend (do you wonder?) that just wouldn't drop the smell no matter how many times I washed it. It has a leather bottom with a fabric liner of some sort. I got hold of some shoe deodorant, recommended by SJ at "Boots" in London btw., and it did wonders for getting rid of the smell.

I've gotten rid of the mustiness of all my Mk VII bags by washing them, but if I ever get hold of one that I wouldn't want to throw in the machine I would probably try this stuff on it. It has restored some of my old shoes too, and now I could burry my nose in them all day if I wanted too...

Anyway. Magic stuff, and it didn't take much to get rid of the smell, at least on a Swedish bag.

Regards,
Swindiana

Ark Hunter · Post by **Ark Hunter** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:35 pm

My wife mentioned Oxy-clean was supposed to be color safe. (not that she's an expert on washing antique fabric)

I got a 1939 Swedish gas mask bag for my girlfriend...

Yes I do wonder. Swindy.

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:39 pm

Well... Watching TV, Levi's commercial:
-That girl has got a nice bag... ,she says.

I recognized it and the rest is history.

She is a bag and shoe fanatic, of all types you can find. Not just Alden's and Mk VII's.

Regards,
Swindiana

Texas Raider · Post by **Texas Raider** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 2:16 am

Yeah, I thought Oxy-clean was supposed to be color safe too. I know a lot of people use it around here and that it is one of the solutions to get them clean. I actually used it a few times with no problem , then one time it turned a bag a little too faded(read bleached) and then I noticed it was kind of doing it to other bags slightly, so I dropped it like a syphlitic lepar!! (sorry bad analogy) but, suffice it to say, I don't let the stuff touch my gas mask bags now! Only gentle soap and water! I used to do the washing machine too, but I noticed it would leave crease marks around the bag, and you have to watch the agitator continuously so it doesn't chew up the bag. Then you have to make sure the bags are flat during the spin cycle or it leaves irreversible creases in the canvas! SO Texas Raider says " Bath your gas mask bags in the same gentle soap and water you bath yourself!"

You can scrub them clean till your heart's content in the shower! I suds my MK bags up 'till they're just a big lump of suds! Rub and rinse clean, several times. Absolutely no risk of damage, completely clean, smell fresh, all hand rubbed and cleaned. It helps to have one of those shower massage hand sprayers(the kind on the end of a hose). It makes it easier, and you can put it inside the bag and rinse from the inside out.

But that's just me- there's 50 other ways to wash 'em. From a bucket to dragging it behind your fishing boat! Whatever works for you!

have a nice day.