 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fernan
Date: 2008-08-30 03:48
Hi,
I have a clarinet from the 1960's that I really love playing--trouble is, the case has that mild musty smell. Has anyone tried anything (that has worked) to remove the musty smell from older cases?
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Author: pdkbach
Date: 2008-08-30 04:06
Hi there....I would recommend getting some of the 'Doctor's Products' Case Odor Eliminator, sold by Dr. Omar Henderson, one of the sponsors on the bulletin board. After spraying and fully airing out the case, I would also suggest putting some whole cloves (the spice) in a small container such as a 35mm film container with some holes punched in the lid. Cloves are a great way to freshen in lieu of more caustic alternatives such as moth balls.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-08-30 04:16
...or just buy a new case.
Mold is not to be reckoned with.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-08-30 04:51
In deference to Dr Henderson and his fine products, I really can not understand the fascination some people have with trying to resurrect, disinfect and save old clarinet cases.
Cases have improved dramatically over the last few decades. They now feature better protection, more ergonomic styles and lighter weight then in the past.
Prices are now so reasonable that, to me, buying a new case is always the best alternative...GBK
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Author: senior
Date: 2008-08-30 05:30
I have had that problem on 2 different occasions and tried many different cures. The one cure that works perfectly every time, is a new case. Also a lot less hassle.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-08-30 08:14
once the case is properly brushed, vacuumend and aired in sunshine, tea bags can work wonders.
I always have a peppermint tea bag in my cases - no smell, nothing.
--
Ben
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Author: stebinus
Date: 2008-08-30 14:14
Being highly allergic to mold and mildew this is an important issue for me. I once had a clarinet overhauled and the tech gave it back to me in a mildewy case. Unfortunately being wood the clarinet became impregnated with the mildew also. I used many things to get rid of that smell, alcohol, bleach, different soaps, tea tree oil. Fortunately the clarinet survived and after a year of airing the smell abated. I've dealt with this with other instruments. Plastic ones clean up nicely with soap and water and a little bleach if you can keep it off the metal. The cases are next to impossible to really get clean. If you rip them apart down to the wood and paint them with a sealer and then reupholster them again this will work. A lot of trouble though. My advice is get a new case. Though some people may be more allergic than others I don't think it's really good for anyone. Why take the risk for a few dollars?
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Author: TCrane
Date: 2008-08-30 15:02
Borax is a great mold killer and cheap. If it's an original case it might be worth the effort.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-08-30 17:03
For average flea market cases, I empty the case, throw out any old swabs, reeds, etc., wash the case lining with a solution of Woolite or dish detergent on a sponge, rinse the lining, then dry the case open to the sun. If there's still a smell, then I spray the liner with Febreze, dry the case open to the sun again, rinse with clear water (because I don't like the smell of Febreze), then dry in the sun again. I clean the clarinet well, too, and remove all old corks and pads before I put the instrument back in the case, because a yucky clarinet will stink up a clean case again in no time.
This treatment has never failed me with cases that were only a bit smelly and stained. If the lining looks tattered or worn through to bare wood in spots, if the fabric looks blackened with mold or mildew, or if the stench is bad enough to knock over a junkyard dog, then I tear the lining and padding out of there, wash out and dry the inside of the case and then re-upholster it with new lining. I do think it's worth the trouble to save old cases. Why add them to the landfill if they're basically sound?
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: jeeves
Date: 2008-08-30 20:39
Use good old lysol!!! Obviously, take out the clarinet, lysol the case and let it air out for a little while. Lysol spray kills mold. You don't just want to cover the smell of mold with cloves, etc., you want to get rid of the mold. Make sure it gets ample sunlight like everyone else is saying. This will help eliminate the mold.
Jeeves
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-08-30 21:55
Before you trash the stuff, put it into the dishwasher and tell us about the result. ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-08-30 22:22
Whatever is causing the musty smell (mold most likely) has probably gotten into the padding. Get a new case with modern synthetic paddng unless you can't afford one. If the old case were mine and I had to keep it I'd gut it, expose it to sunshine or ozone and then seal the wood with acrylic varnish. Then repad with synthetic foam and reline with new fabric.
Bob Draznik
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-08-30 22:30
A new single case (ex: Protec) can be had for less than $50.
For me, my time is too valuable to play around trying to resurrect and fix an old, musty smelling relic ...GBK
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-08-30 22:37
On the other hand, everyone I had sniff my old bass case said "aaah, that reminds me of ... ".
If you must buy a new case, sell the old as "analeptic". ;-)
--
Ben
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Author: Koo Young Chung
Date: 2008-08-30 23:42
Strong direct sunlight kills mold and smell.
You may have to do it several days,all day long.
But it works.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-08-31 00:04
Fire works even better. Burn that sucker!
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-08-31 11:08
"For me, my time is too valuable to play around trying to resurrect and fix an old, musty smelling relic ...GBK"
Glenn....glad you're not my physician.
Bob Draznik
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-08-31 12:48
BobD wrote:
> "For me, my time is too valuable to play around trying to
> resurrect and fix an old, musty smelling relic ...GBK"
>
> Glenn....glad you're not my physician.
<insert Roman Guard Chuckle from Life of Brian>
--
Ben
Post Edited (2008-08-31 12:52)
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Author: fernan
Date: 2008-08-31 17:59
*LAUGHS* Y'all are going to laugh at me for this--
it was the swab. It wasn't that old case smell, but some other smell, and as soon as I washed the swab, the smell started to go away. Of course, I had cleaned out the case and let it sit out in the California sun for two days.
PS--Koo Young, this isn't the case you're getting =)
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-09-01 01:43
So the unhygenic intracylindrical mop was what distressed your olfactory sensors. Good thing that got figured out!
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