How to remove scents from a deck of tarot cards

[Luna]

On 2/7/2024 at 12:23 AM, Raggydoll said:

If there is incense smell then it doesn’t matter for me if it lays in the open for months. I tried that with a deck for almost a year and it didn’t work. Wiping or treating the surface also didn’t work (although it did lessen the initial intensity of the smell) but the unlaminated sides of the deck had absorbed the particles into the cardstock. As soon as I handled the deck, my symptoms returned. It’s worth mentioning that fragrance sensitivity is a neurological response that occur when small particles are absorbed into your lungs. That’s why it’s not about which scent my nose can identify (so masking a smell is no use). Lung tissues can react to very small amounts of irritation molecules.
 

For a person who does not have this condition, there are probably several solutions that might help with their smelly deck. 

 

ugh! and, I already have lung issues so don't want to aggravate them further!  I don't really want to try anything like wiping them down either as I am fearful the "wetness" of whatever I would use would also damage the cards.  But I'm going to put them in the garage in a big box and perhaps try the lavender candle.  I can handle lavender smells, I think.....  I don't really use scented soaps and lotions anymore but tend to get a lot of this as gifts, and so I do have some of them still.  I try to give all this stuff away but we've been so busy lately with many things I keep forgetting to do so!  And, I don't want this deck to be a give away!  I like the artwork too much! lol.

 

Thank you for all the responses.  I will try to remember to let you know if I was successful in getting rid of the aroma in this deck or if I end up giving the deck away and buying it brand new.  After all these years, it probably would've been better to that immediately---but I did give it a good try and will try a bit more.  If it is still stinky by summer time--its going to be a gonner deck.  And I will buy a brand new one to replace it! 🙂

 

I think I did answer all the responses, sorry if I missed anyone.

 

HAPPY READING!!

[nightbird]

very grateful to have found this thread as I also have a deck of cards that could use some airing out.  I got it on eBay, and it's just... very musty.  I'm going to try spreading them out in a room for a little while (and attempt to keep the dog from laying down on them, he really likes to lay on whatever I'm trying to do) and hope for the best.

[Teemu]

mmm I would try different things:

- aerate them at higher tmeperatures (summer, higher vapor pressure)

- use activated charcaol, change frequently

- carefully wipe the cards wit a soapy sponge (perhaps difficult)

 

However, persistent smells take at lot of time and effort to remove.

[Chariot]

I once bought a second hand deck that simply reeked of cigarette smoke …a smell I really can’t stand to live with.  However I had some sachets of natural balsam fir needles, so I closed the stinky deck in a box with one of those sachets.  It took a couple of months, but now the deck smells just like a fresh fir tree, and is a pleasure to use.  I guess sometimes it works if you can swap one scent for another. But that isn’t always ideal.  All the best with your efforts.

[Luna]

On 3/17/2024 at 3:37 PM, nightbird said:

very grateful to have found this thread as I also have a deck of cards that could use some airing out.  I got it on eBay, and it's just... very musty.  I'm going to try spreading them out in a room for a little while (and attempt to keep the dog from laying down on them, he really likes to lay on whatever I'm trying to do) and hope for the best.

Thank you for your response, nightbird.  I have been hanging my cards out on a line on our living room porch during the day and then bringing the line in at night for awhile.  But one day we had a really strong wind and one or two cards literally blew off, but thankfully we were able to retrieve them and no damage done.  So, we moved the line into our garage to air out.  It has been about 3 weeks to a month maybe since we moved them into the garage.  I took a few down and brought them in to see if they still smelled.  Sadly, they did.  And though it was not a strong smell, I know I won't be able to use them because just handling them I could smell the scent on my hands hours later.  So, I am still airing them, but decided to just go ahead and buy a new deck.  It came in yesterday and I'm thrilled, as it is a beautiful deck, but NO AROMAS!!! HURRAY!! 🙂  So, I would recommend airing them.  I used cooking twine for my line and found very small clothes pins at the dollar store, which I used to put them on the line.  Just in case you are thinking of trying this.  If you do, I hope it works for you better than it is for me.  I believe I will just give this deck away to someone one day--if anyone is going to want it.  I do have a few friends local that do enjoy doing tarot themselves, and sometimes we do trade decks.  So one of my friends might like it even with the aroma.  

[Luna]

On 3/19/2024 at 6:03 PM, Teemu said:

mmm I would try different things:

- aerate them at higher tmeperatures (summer, higher vapor pressure)

- use activated charcaol, change frequently

- carefully wipe the cards wit a soapy sponge (perhaps difficult)

 

However, persistent smells take at lot of time and effort to remove.

 

Hi Teemu and thank you for your reply.  I did use the activated charcoal and did change it frequently.  I'm fearful of wiping the cards with a damp cloth, as I fear it would ruin the cards.  I've been working at this for years--literally.  I think it was 2018 or early 2019 I got them and began trying to get rid of the scent. But now I have replaced them with a brand new deck--not a step I really wanted to do, but the husband talked me into this.  🙂  I'm glad now that I did.  I absolutely LOVE this deck and have been playing with them since getting them yesterday to get used to them.  

[Luna]

On 3/20/2024 at 3:05 PM, Chariot said:

I once bought a second hand deck that simply reeked of cigarette smoke …a smell I really can’t stand to live with.  However I had some sachets of natural balsam fir needles, so I closed the stinky deck in a box with one of those sachets.  It took a couple of months, but now the deck smells just like a fresh fir tree, and is a pleasure to use.  I guess sometimes it works if you can swap one scent for another. But that isn’t always ideal.  All the best with your efforts.

 

Oh dear! Cigarette smoke would REALLY drive me nutty!  I cannot stand cigarette smells on things at all either.  My father was a big smoker, (literally an average of 6packs a day every day---eeek)--all my growing up life and I truly believe it is why I have asthma now.  Same with my husband, both of his parents smoked for decades until his dad had to have a lung removed and he has asthma too. His parents both gave it up after that lung removal of his dad-- thank goodness.  But with my parents, whenever they'd send us a box of goodies or presents, I literally would have to sit it out on our porch for a week or more before I could even stand to open the box.  No.....I guess the aroma I'm stuck with in these cards are better than cigarette smoke smells.  I would've gotten rid of them the first day if it was that smell.  I'm glad you were able to get rid of the smell.  TY for your post too.

 

[Guest]

Was about to chime in with the wonders of activated charcoal but nope, you've already got that covered. But yeah - throwing everything but the proverbial sink for a good half a decade in order to redeem a noisome deck - hooboy. You've got the patience of a Buddha. I'd have sold it extra cheap (but with full disclosure) and bought another copy if it ain't resolved in a couple of months.