Water Damage to collectibles...whataya do?

[Opera Ghost]

Long story short, had some collectibles including Star Trek and Batman, Marvel which we had planned on selling on EBay or Craig's list, that were stored outside under cover. Apparently rats visited the area, and during a rain from the spring, several of the containers filled up with water. Everything was Mint in mint or near mint boxes, including Horizon and Bilken models, playmates, Kenner and whoever did the ST the Motion Picture 12" figs.

The cloth figure items, I submerged into water with a little bleach to start, and then another bath of dish detergent/ Bleach. Did not really get rid of the smell. Ultimately, cloth items were stripped and then washed in a lingerie bag in the washing machine, and flat dried (was going to use a dry clean method with dryer, but due to presence of appliques, I did not due to potential for disentegration --worked in a dry cleaners during my last years in college). Cloth items have some stains which are not coming out, as do figures from contact with colored cardboard inserts, shoes, etc. Figures and accessories seem to still have a faint smell of mold. Cloth items now seem to be odor free.

Plastic vehicles, and model kits--some of which were washed same method (not washer) as above, but smell persists. a couple of model kits and vehicles in sealed bags did not get wet, but smell permeated the bags. Right now, I'm trying something which i heard of using a dryer sheet in a sealed bag with one of the batmobiles to see of that takes care for the odor-eating.

Besides the lecture on leaving them outside, any other recommendations/remedies that might work on these things--which will probably now be made safe for my son to play with?

I've also used a alcohol (low water content) to work on mold/mildew from paper before...not very successfully.



OG

[charp13]

The only thing I know of that can take away a bad odor is baking soda.  Maybe baking soda and time.  Hmmmm... You've tried bleach (which I NEVER use-it scares me) and fabric softener.....Maybe just leave them out in the sunshine and fresh air, I'm not sure if it will do anything chemically, but I know I've left stuff outside for a few days that someone gave me that smoked and it worked with a Febreeze chaser. 

[tv horror]

There's something called Oxy-clean that works wonders on smells, although I don't know if it is for sale in the U.S.

[Mike Scott]

Oxy-clean . . . I don't know if it is for sale in the U.S.

Are you kidding!? 

[Scatter]

Crap Rob, I'm sorry to hear this buddy. That's got to hurt. I'm going with OxyClean as well, since I've had good luck with it on stains and odor. But as Billy Mays has taught us, don't sniff it.

[Opera Ghost]

There's something called Oxy-clean that works wonders on smells, although I don't know if it is for sale in the U.S.

OK...good to know....as a topical cleanser versus in the machine?

What about things that should not be put into the washer?

[Scatter]

OK...good to know....as a topical cleanser versus in the machine?

What about things that should not be put into the washer?

I wouldn't put any of that stuff in the machine......I'd be afraid something would get further damaged in the agitator. I would do it by hand in a little basin. Hope this reclamation project works out OG.

[ChattyLMS]

Oh No, OG!
You might try some activated charcoal.  I think you can get it at a hardware store.  You'd have to put it in a bag the way you are with the dryer sheets.  I've never tried it but I understand that it works really well.

Just for future reference, if you're storing collectibles in Rubbermaid containers in the basement or somewhere else that is damp, get some silica gel packages to put with them.  I bought them for storing with my daughter's dolls.  The packages that I got are about 4 in. X 5 in.  You'd have to look them up on the internet, I don't have a link to send to you.   

[Opera Ghost]

Oh No, OG!
You might try some activated charcoal.  I think you can get it at a hardware store.  You'd have to put it in a bag the way you are with the dryer sheets.  I've never tried it but I understand that it works really well.

Just for future reference, if you're storing collectibles in Rubbermaid containers in the basement or somewhere else that is damp, get some silica gel packages to put with them.  I bought them for storing with my daughter's dolls.  The packages that I got are about 4 in. X 5 in.  You'd have to look them up on the internet, I don't have a link to send to you.   

Thanks Chatty! Will look for some!

[Wicked Lester]

For the cloth items I would wash em in Woolite and use Febreze . Spray 1 piece first to make sure it doesn't change the color.

[Universal Steve]

That's bad news. Sorry to hear it. I know what it is like to lose collectables to water damage. I only had 2 figures that got wet. I let them air dry and spryed a little Frebreeze on it. That baking soda idea that was suggested sounds like a good idea to me. That was my first thought. Good luck with saving what you can.

[Opera Ghost]

Thanks Gang. Don't know why I did not think of Woolite!

[Scatter]

Thanks Gang. Don't know why I did not think of Woolite!

True.........especially with all the delicate undergarments you wear.

[Opera Ghost]

True.........especially with all the delicate undergarments you wear.

They usually just get ripped from my body--so no washing necessary

[Scatter]

They usually just get ripped from my body--so no washing necessary

You wish!!