smelly decks

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

I know we've talked many times about how to get cigarette smoke out of cards but I've got a Brady deck (rubber?plastic? cards) in a wooden box that also holds the book. There is WAY too much essential oil scent, I think evergreen. Any ideas how to get a lot of it out without covering it with something else? Scent free would be my goal, but a lot milder would do. 

 

seems like once someone used bbq charcoal, but you can't buy that here any more. 

Edited May 27, 2022 by AJ-ish/Sharyn

[Niobium]

I wonder if something involving baking soda would work. It's similarly used to soak up smells, might be obtainable?

[TheFeeLion]

@AJ-ish/Sharyn heat is a good way to get rid of smells. The volatile oils the make up essential oils don't like heat and light. If they're fully plastic cards you could try rubbing with a bit of carrier oil then give them a wash with soapy water? If they still have some scent you could try the baking soda after to get rid of anything remaining

[RunningWild]

Wood is absorbent, so probably a light washing with soap and water and a couple weeks of letting it sit with baking soda inside it would take much of the odor out.  I guess what I'm suggesting is that you not only clean off the cards, but don't put them right back in the box that's holding all that scent before you clear it out of the box too.

[DanielJUK]

12 hours ago, AJ-ish/Sharyn said:

I know we've talked many times about how to get cigarette smoke out of cards but I've got a Brady deck (rubber?plastic? cards) in a wooden box that also holds the book. There is WAY too much essential oil scent, I think evergreen. Any ideas how to get a lot of it out without covering it with something else? Scent free would be my goal, but a lot milder would do. 

 

seems like once someone used bbq charcoal, but you can't buy that here any more. 

 

I'm sorry you have this with this deck Sharyn 😞

Even if BBQ Charcoal is banned in your area, you should be able to get activated charcoal from pharmacies and drug stores. It's a processed form which soaks up other chemicals and they give people to eat in Emergency Rooms and also became a detox trend for a while. However you don't need to eat it here 😉 . Just put some with the deck in a box like the baking soda idea. You can get activated charcoal as a fine powder or you can get it in blocks sometimes. I wouldn't buy it in capsule form for your usage. Some people use it in fridges to soak up smells.

[gregory]

Also kitty litter mixed with baking soda.

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

oh, all good ideas! I have litter and baking soda at hand, I'll try that first. I have a big empty box, I can do layers so all the cards are equally covered. I'll update later 🙂  I actually love the smell with this deck, but since I'm selling everything I'd like it to be neutral for that part of my journey.  Thank you, Sharyn