Does anyone have any idea how I can remove the musty, moldy smell from my parents' wedding album that was stored in the basement? My niece wants to use some of these old photos at her wedding. Thanks!
By Jo-Ann Sabbagh from Cumberland, RI
I have had good luck removing musty odors from old books by using deoderizing cat litter. It is made from wood shavings that have a pleasant smell. I cover the books and seal in a plastic container or plastic bag. Let sit for several weeks.
I heard a dryer sheet works the same. Never tried it, but read it at work
You could scan the pictures and print on nice new photo paper.
Liberaly sprinkle baby powder between each page. Place a dryer sheet in a brown paper bag
Place the album/book inside the bag, close the bag and tape it shut. And store for 1 week in a dry place like on top
After a week, remove the album, using a hairdryer, on cool setting, "dust" off the baby powder. This should remove the musty odor, if the odor is extremely strong, you may need to repeat the procedure. Good Luck.
You may have better luck by trying the first idea with baking soda instead of baby powder or a combination of the two. Baking soda is used to remove odors in carpet, refrigerators, and clothes.
Baking soda is better than baby powder.
I had dryer sheets in between the pages, but somehow it caused moisture to develope in the wedding album. I then opened all the pages, took out the sheets, turned on a dehumifier, after placing objects between each page, and then, it dried out the album.
