Moldy Guitar smell

[Hurricane Bob]

Working on the inside of my 1900 Washburn that stinks like mold. Used a damp towel w/ mild soap, left a plate of baking soda in her for months, and created a cloud of lysol in it. Maybe improved it by 30% but still stinks--

[Jim Owen]

What condition is the case in, Bob?

[The Bard Rocks]

You can try cedar chips or thyme, along with sunlight and some air movement.

The thought that the case might be the culprit instead is a good one, well worth considering.

[gmruegg]

I would agree that most likely the culprit is the case. I tried all the remedies, baking soda, coffee grounds, sunshine, Fabreze, etc. There just seemed to be some embedded mold that I just couldn't kill short of ripping out all the padding. I finally had to give up and buy a new case.

[Hurricane Bob]

didn't come with a case, never had one for her, been hanging on the wall for 10 years now, wish i could post some pics but don't know how now with imgur. I put it in sunlight outside with a fan blowing in the hole, still reeks and makes my eyes water. Will try cedar chips next--

[buddyhu]

Some smells can be essentially impossible to eliminate once they are impregnated in wood. Have encountered this with some antique furniture that I inherited.

I have read a couple of threads here on AGF that talked about using an ozone deodorizing unit. I gather that ozone deodorizers are used with rental cars. Maybe you can find info about such an option either by searching AGF, or via other internet searches. I don’t have any experience with such an approach.

[Jim Owen]

Like Rich, I’ve heard some folks have had luck renting ozone units. Good luck!

[Hurricane Bob]

still cant post pics, mouse wont right click to paste.....ugghhhh
Birch back and sides, cedar neck, rosewood fingerboard, spruce top