 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-12-29 11:33
Was hoping for some imput on getting rid of a stale smell in an alto clarinet case I own. The instrument is from the 60's and must've been stored a bit before I bought it. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had come across a similar prob;lem and found an easy solution. I did stick some Bounce dryer sheets into the case and it is a bit better although I'm not thrilled with the smell of Bounce either!
Thanks for any suggestions!
Eefer guy
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2006-12-29 12:06
I'm an amateur clarinet and sax player but an expert on stinky cases, since I buy my instruments at yard sales and flea markets. I've run into this problem with a lot of vintage cases. Dryer sheets help, and so does a pray-on product, Febreze, but I think the surest way to remove a bad smell from a case is to empty it completely, wash or throw away all swabs and other loose fabrics or other materials that can absorb and hold a smell (reeds!), put some dish detergent on a damp sponge, scrub the case lining, rinse it well and then dry the case open in the sunlight. I turn the case a few times over a few hours, to make sure sun hits all parts of the lining. Sunlight is a terrific sterilizer and deodorant. It may fade the case lining, but I'd rather have fading than stench.
(I don't like the smell of Febreze or scented dryer sheets, either, btw. Bounce and most store brands of fabric softener sheets come in unscented varieties and I use those in the clothes dryer, as well.)
If washing doesn't work, then I rip the old lining out of the case. If the padding smells, then out it goes, too. Usually, with a case in this condition, the glue has weakened enough to make it easy to pull the fabric out intact. I use the old lining as a pattern and replace it with washable cotton velvet from the fabric store.
The clarinet itself may smell. When in doubt, wash it out, because putting the smelly clarinet back in the clean case will only stink up the case again. If there's any question about whether pads and corks need changing, I like to change them (or at least remove them, if I don't have time to do the overhaul--I can keep the old pads in a plastic bag if I'll need to measure them) at the same time I clean up the case, because they hold a smell, too. The big trick is to keep the case and the instrument clean: swab after every practice, and if the humidity is high, as it often is here in Virginia, I let the swab, the reeds and the mouthpiece finish air-drying outside the case. I keep a little wooden box with a mesh screen top, big enough for a mouthpiece and a Vito reed holder, so they're out of sight, out of mind when Shadow Cat comes lurking around looking for mischief.
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: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-12-29 14:01
- use carpet foam plus a vacuum cleaner
- air and sunbathe the interior as much as possible
- liberally put (new) peppermint teabags (or whatever the scent du jour) into the thusly cleaned case before you close it, for a few days after cleaning. Try not to store a clarinet in it during this time.
- else do as Lelia suggests and rip out the old lining and replace it.
--
Ben
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Author: Kel
Date: 2006-12-29 14:12
The case deodorizer offered by the Doctor's Products has worked well for me.
Post Edited (2006-12-29 14:12)
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Author: Koo Young Chung
Date: 2006-12-29 16:42
Strong direct sunlight is best.
I didn't use any deodorant at all. and it worked very well.
You have to leave it on outside several days.
Winter is not good time to do this though.
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Author: kal
Date: 2006-12-29 17:18
I use Resolve or some other type of enzyme cleaner followed by prolonged sun exposure.
I would NOT use any type of soap, as it will leave a residue that's almost impossible to get out... unless you hose the case down, but that's just asking for a new generation of mold.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-12-29 18:00
Thanks guys!
What wonderful suggestions. Too bad it's winter and over cast or i'd try the solarizations.
Do you think the odor is IN the instrument at this point too? Do you dare clean it with anything too?
Had also thought about orange peels as that was one of the old ways we kept our oboes from cracking. (Am not sure if this wasn't any more than an old wive's tales than any real help, however!) At any rate, the case always smelt nice! That is, if you liked oranges.
Thanks again.
Eefer guy
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-12-29 18:29
New, high quality single or double cases are so inexpensive right now, why not just get a brand new one?
The technology has also greatly improved - better clasps, more cushioning, extra straps, additional storage...etc...
Any clarinet that I purchase with a smelly case - the case is the first thing I replace.
I honestly can't be bothered with the job of "odor removal"
More important things to do...GBK
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Author: sherman
Date: 2006-12-29 18:33
Well, this worked very well for me.
We had a flood in Montreal sometime in the late 1970s which ruined several cases of mine, leaving them with a mildew odor that was maddening to me in a brand new Yamaha double clarinet case, and leather cover, which I had had made for the thing.
Finally in desparation after removing the horns which were undemaged, I used the only thing which totally deoderized the case.
Pure bleach.
The ordor was removed and so too was the color of the innards of the case, leaving it kind of pale pink, but with no odor at all save for a faint waft of bleach.
I advise it, but must say that the effect on color is about as remarkable as the removal of the odor. I always laugh when I open the case, but how often does one laugh at a double clarinet case?
best wishes,
Sherman Friedland
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Author: Fred
Date: 2006-12-29 18:49
I have tried many of the aforementioned remedies - Febreze, sunlight (lots of it), dryer sheets . . . and all were marginally successful. By far, my greatest success came from using the Case Odor Eliminator from Doctor's Products.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2006-12-30 00:51
Just to second the recommendation for the Doctor's Case Odor Eliminator. The stuff really works, although I found a couple of applications were necessary. A year or so later, the odor is starting to come back a little (odor being caused by mold spores that multiply over time, and in humid conditions). But there's no change to the lining color, no foreign-stinky leftover smell, no damage to the instrument from toxic residue, and can I just say it's great to come across a product that WORKS AS ADVERTISED! (and no, I do not get a toaster if the Doctor sells 10,000 units as a result of this post!)
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2006-12-30 02:19
Where can you purchase the Doctor's Case Odor Eliminator?
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-12-30 15:35
Actually the case I have now IS a replacement case. When I transferred the alto to that case the ODOR came along. Since then I've bought a new alto as I don't want to play the stinky one in public, but I actually prefer the sound on the older one. Bigger and deeper.
Oddly enough last night TBS was broadcasting a Seinfeld re-run where a valet with incredible BO so contaminated his car with a horrific odor. All attempts to remove the odor went to naught. Jerry ended up giving thekeys to a homeless person in an act of final desperation, but evedn the homeless person was appalled by the odor! My first thought was that valet was the alto clarinet player!
I did check out the Doctor's site some yesterday but I couldn't find the de-odorizer, or is labeled something else. Will go back.
Anyway thank you all for your m any tidbits of advice!
Eefer guy
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