The MKVII Stench

[FloatinJoe]

Okay, this has been discussed before and I can't seem to find it. My bag smells old and musty. How did others clean it up? Will washing it clean out the smell? All ideas are welcome, and experience is preferred.

Mike

[Indiana Texas-girl]

I've tried spraying Febreze in it. That helped some, not much. Others have tried letting it air out in the open air. For me I have found that washing it in my washer on gentle works. I put very little detergent in, but I really don't think you have to add detergent, which may be hard to get out.

[Sergei]

I've used Fabreeze as well. But the coffee ground method works the best. Get some cheap ground coffee in the large tin from your local grocery. Pour the grounds into a tube sock and microwave for 3 minutes and 3 seconds. Throw the sock full of coffee into your bag for 7 days, 7 hour and 7 minutes. If smell persists, repeat instructions. When your done, brew some coffee.

Seriously, I have used this method with very good results. But I won't take credit for this. It was _ during his days of being in the grocery business.

-Sergei
p.s. the last part (brewing) is optional :-)

[Mike]

the last part (brewing) is optional :-)

...mmmm, musty gym sock blend. Do I see a new flavor at Starbucks?

Funny, since I'm not a coffee drinker, this is pretty much what it tastes like to me anyway. ;-)

Mike

[The_Edge]

My MKVII was dusty and musty too. I filled a bucket with warm water and laundry soap and washed it by hand. You wouldn't believe how much sediment came out of that thing. It took close to a week to hang dry. Nice and clean and no smell.

-Kyle

[Indiana Texas-girl]

Pour the grounds into a tube sock and microwave for 3 minutes and 3 seconds. Throw the sock full of coffee into your bag for 7 days, 7 hour and 7 minutes.

You've got those numbers down to a science!

[MaryonRavenwood]

HJS's bag actually went thru WW2 (on the inside flap the guy who it was issued to's name is stenciled on it, pretty cool, you wonder what became of him)--I mentioned that to Renderking, and he wanted to know what it smelled like--HJS said when he got it, it smelled like a musty old basement that had last been opened, well, never. He washed it a few times, and it still has that "antique" scent, but not overpowering like it was when he got it. A bag with much character. He uses it everyday.

--Mary(on)

[agent5]

I laugh at you all! :lol: My bag has NO smell. I got a winner.

[Ryusui]

Guess I got lucky too. :)

So is there some club now? Non-Smelley Mark VIIs of the world? ::LOL::

[morgan]

Mine doesn't smell that much. I think Noel Howard must have his ones washed before he sends them out. The only problem is the strong smell of leather from the strap.

morgan

[Doctor_Jones]

I don't really think it stinks that hard. I like that smell. It's great!

Just my eurocent.

Regards

the Doc

[Indiana Joe]

Mine doesn't smell that much. I think Noel Howard must have his ones washed before he sends them out. The only problem is the strong smell of leather from the strap.

morgan

Man, I love the smell of leather. But that's for a different thread. When I was looking to purchase an original Mk VII, Noel told me that he had some unissued ones but I may notice an odor due their age. He told me to just sit it outside for awhile and it'll clear up.

My thinking was along the lines of Kyle S. I intended to wash the thing with detergent since the thing was made and intended for WAR. However, my mind started racing and I wondered 'what if' the odor doesn't come out, etc.

So, I got a What Price Glory reproduction Mark VII. No odor, no hassle.

I.J.

[MaryonRavenwood]

Personally, I think it's awesome that HJS's bag went through WW2--it gives it incredible character. I love the smell of vintage items (for the most part, if they don't completely reek)--it's a throwback to and a reminder of another era. I have a couple vintage dresses that have a lovely antique scent to them.

[Mike]

I agree Maryon. My first bag, from Lee Keppler also made it through the war with the soldier's name written on the inside of the flap. I also have an unissued bag... that just doesn't have the same character to it.

So I use my war-torn (actually, it's in awesome shape considering) bag for everything and am saving the unissued for the eventuality of my favored bag wearing out.

I often wonder, too, what became of the soldier whose bag I have. Does anyone know if there's a registry anywhere where one can look up war heros?

Mike

[MaryonRavenwood]

I often wonder, too, what became of the soldier whose bag I have. Does anyone know if there's a registry anywhere where one can look up war heros?

Don't know--I'd love to find out.

[Ryusui]

I've been curious ever since I got my bag. How would you, if one can, find out if your bag was actually issued and war used? I mean it certainally looks as if it's been through a little - it's no WPG bag, that's for sure. But I'd also expect this thing to be a bit more...tattered if it were used.

I agree too with what Mike said - about wondering what became of the soldier whose bag you now own...

[Cooler King]

I bought one froma surplus store, $5 bucks, used in WWI, I soaked it in bleach, that lightened it, and gave it a nice fresh scent! :D

[JPdesign]

Before fabreeze was introduse theater costumers would spray costums that couldn't be washed, for what ever reason, with vadka. Takes out the sweat and body odors. I used it on a couch once and it worked better than fabreeze did. Soak the old bag. :wink: Let it be a little tipsy for a while. She should serve you well afterwads since vodka doesn't really give you a hang over.

I will say that I haven't tried this on something as old as these bags but every thing I have used it on it has worked wonderfully.

[Indiana Joe]

:shock:

just don't light a match around it for awhile!! :D

I.J.

[Henry Jones Sr.]

HJS's bag actually went thru WW2 (on the inside flap the guy who it was issued to's name is stenciled on it, pretty cool, you wonder what became of him)--I mentioned that to Renderking, and he wanted to know what it smelled like--HJS said when he got it, it smelled like a musty old basement that had last been opened, well, never. He washed it a few times, and it still has that "antique" scent, but not overpowering like it was when he got it. A bag with much character. He uses it everyday.

--Mary(on)

Well, so-called "purists" might flog me for what I actually did, but I simply ran the bag through a gentle cycle in the washing machine (warm water, light on the detergent), then two gentle cycles in the dryer (throw in with several wet towels to prevent metal accoutrements from clanging about), sticking two dryer sheets in the bag and two others outside. A final spray on the inside with a touch of cologne (so shoot me!) and a 24-hour hang in an inside doorway to let everything (especially the cologne) dissipate, and the bag, as Maryon said above, smells old, but not like the Basement of Doom.

A little color left the bag, but my personal take is that it looks (and now is well-used. And, I can still, with extreme clarity, show the world that the bag once belonged to one "Ruddle, R., Serial Number 14433848" (I also want to find out about this chap...any ideas about a master registry of British WWII vets?).

I no longer carry anything save pocket change (all that's usually left a lowly college lecturer) and a pocket knife in my pants pockets. My Handspring Visor PDA even fits extremely well in there, and my back has thanked me for months for no longer carrying a wallet in the back pocket. Again, "purists" (whatever that means) may scoff, but I prefer to actually use most aspects of my gear on a daily, or at least near-daily basis. Just Dad's $.02.

Henry Jones Sr.

[MaryonRavenwood]

Again, "purists" (whatever that means) may scoff, but I prefer to actually use most aspects of my gear on a daily, or at least near-daily basis.

I still think you should wear the fedora on a daily basis.

[rick5150]

Mike writes:

I often wonder, too, what became of the soldier whose bag I have. Does anyone know if there's a registry anywhere where one can look up war heros?

I know my luck. The previous owner of my bag was probably some clumsy idiot that ultimately shot himself in the groin while picking his nose. I would rather not know - I can imagine he was a hero - although I guess they all were, weren't they?

[Henry Jones Sr.]

If they had the cajones to not desert, and saw their perceived duty through, whether they were killed in the line, came home alive, or (most probably) were forever changed by their experience, I think they were heroes, even the nose pickers. Flick a booger at your local Nazi! Smith & Wesson Mark II Nose Ejectors?

Sorry, Indy. Got fairly off the thread.

Henry Jones Sr.

[skywlkr]

You could always soak the bag in Oxi-Clean. That stuff takes smells and stains out of anything. Although I have never used it on a bag, I did use it on an Puma, adidas style, jacket from the early eighties and instantly years of nicotine from the previous owner's smoking habit filled the sink. I refilled the sink with the water/Oxi-Clean mix twice because the mix turned adark brown twice. The third time the mix stayed clear and I knew it was clean. I'm sure this stuff would get out musty bag smells, since it got out years of smoking smells from my jacket....too bad the jacket turned out to be too small.

[Indiana Joe]

skywlkrinc,

I just wanted to say that I think you have a cool avatar!

I.J.

[Rundquist]

Don't forget guys, those bags are 60 years old. You never know how the dyes and pigments are going to hold up to water. Have your bags dry cleaned, you'll be glad that you did. Cheers

[Sergei]

The stench! "I love the smell of MKVII stench in the morning...it smells like victory." I'd just keep it that way.

[Snakewhip_Sable]

What's Oxi-Clean? I've never heard of it.

Also - what do you do to get rid of the patina on the metal? if anything.

[Swindiana]

Sable;

Now THAT I can help you with. Soaped steel wool, or I think it's called Scotch brite or Brillo pads in the US? You can use it to shine your vents and the snaps too and it will not leave any scratches. Be careful not to touch the canvas though as it can lighten it up a bit if you're not careful. Small and circular motions is what does it for me.

Good luck!

Regards,
Swindiana