How to clean the inside of a hardshell case?

[Alex_SF]

I have an SKB molded plastic hardshell case, Carvin-branded, which has a funny smell inside it. The smell is nothing easily identifiable such as cigarette smoke, cat piss, mildew, or dog odor, just "funny" -- and not to my liking.

 

I only use that case to transport a Strat that I usually keep on a stand, but the smell in the case is strong enough that I can smell it on the guitar for a few minutes after I take it out of the case, even if the guitar was only in the case for a half hour.

 

I've already tried Febreze and sunlight / airing-out: now it smells like "funny" and Febreze. So I think the next step is to really clean the inside lining, with a solution of warm water and Woolite or some other mild detergent.

 

What's a good way to do this and be able to (a) rinse the detergent solution out after working it in to the case lining, and (b) dry the case out thoroughly and reasonably quickly (within ~a day or so)?

 

Right now I'm thinking: (1) work the detergent in to the lining with a brush, then (2) rinse the case out in the shower with the handheld head; (3) after letting it drip in the shower overnight, sponge the inside out with old towels; and finally (4) open it up and let it air-dry outside (it's supposed to be ~65 and sunny tomorrow).

 

The SKB molded case isn't made of wood, so the shower rinse shouldn't cause structural damage, I think -- but any other reason the contemplated method might not be ideal, or suggestions for doing it better/easier?

[Coralkong]

I put a Pine Tree car freshener in a case for two weeks one time.....no guitar, just the air freshener

 

The case stunk like cigarette smoke.

 

After 2 weeks, it stunk like menthol cigarette smoke.

[Doctor49]

search omg_otters and baking soda for a cautionary tale of how not do something.

 

I dont recommend anything involving washing.

 

activated charcoal in a baggie

 

cedar chips in a baggie

[germs]

 

I have an SKB molded plastic hardshell case, Carvin-branded, which has a funny smell inside it. The smell is nothing easily identifiable such as cigarette smoke, cat piss, mildew, or dog odor, just "funny" -- and not to my liking. The SKB molded case isn't made of wood, so the shower rinse shouldn't cause structural damage, I think -- but any other reason the contemplated method might not be ideal, or suggestions for doing it better/easier?

 

 

it's probably a combination of all of the above scents. most likely it's the ammonia from the cigarette smoke and the general mildew built up from use in different climates. what's wrong, you haven't learned to love that smell yet?

 

anyway, washing the thing will only add to the smell in the long run. you need something that will kill the odor at the source. look for a product called "UrineOut" that's the best for killing odor. not sure how it might react to a nitro finish though.

 

otherwise, Febreeze is the new standard. multiple applications over a week or so will do the trick.

[magentaplacenta]

Sell on Craigslist and buy a new case.