Compact Carry Bags - How to make them smell nice?

[jsarchibald]

I have 5 old compact carry bags that I got from my mega conquest last year. They had possum poo and loads of dust on them, and I spent a few hours yersterday hosing them off, scrubbing them with hot soapy water and a sponge, plus a can of Preen, and they have come up quite well (they're still drying at home). So, they look great, but they do smell musty.

So, my question is - what do you guys do to keep your bags smelling and looking good?

I am still trying to figure out what to put in the bags, but seeing as though I have 2 genuine beige bags, two red bags made in Australia (one of these has the Apple logo), and a random black bag, I'll have to pick my best ones. I might put in my original Mac, an SE/30, a 512K, and maybe my two EDs. Come to think of it, I'll have to go through my box of keyboards and find some matching KBs and mice that match in colour and within serial number range. This is why I keep putting it all off, the more I think about it, the more stuff I have to do!

 

[sirwiggum]

Dunno if it helps, but I was once given a tip for keeping training shoes fresh, to put a scoop of fresh cat litter in, leave overnight and empty the next day. It picks up the odours etc. leaving them fresh.

 

[FlyingToaster]

That helps with almost any smell. In Illinois, no smoking is allowed in bars or pretty much anywhere. Some bar owners spray this to mask the smoke in case someone makes a complaint and the police come. It works AWESOME. It's cheap at Walmart. I'd spray the heck out of it.

 

[24bit]

Fresh grounded coffee beans may solve your smelly mystery, if you dont mind the coffee flavour.

Or moisten your bags and give them a treat in full sunlight. Thats what grandmother did with her washing.

Active coal may work too, but you will need lots.

 

[trag]

If you think the smell has an organic source (smelly feet, urine, micro-organisms etc.) you might try one of the enzyme solutions available at pet stores which are made for getting urine and other pet odors out of carpeting and upholstery.

I don't if it will work in your case, but it probably can't hurt, other than the money it will cost.

Of course, something like unsalted meat tenderizer (enzyme based) might work just as well.

 

[Bunsen]

Sodium bicarbonate (aka carb soda aka baking soda) - cheap, in the baking goods aisle at the supermarket. Use lots of it. Just sprinkle it in there, zip closed, leave for a week or so, repeat. Bulk it out with dry rice if you like. Vacuum it out when you're done, wipe out any residue with a damp cloth.

Nilodor is a (.au available) product in a little pump pack like the image above - it works amazingly well. A little harder to find; try a hardware superbarn. Febreeze is pretty amazing too.