HermitWriter Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 Hello tarot fam! So I finally took the plunge and scored a pretty sweet deal on a Swiss 1JJ deck from 1974. Woohoo! The cards are in good shape, but they have spent many of their 45 years in a smoker's house. So they're quarantined from my other decks until the odor dissipates a bit. I've currently got them in a Tupperware with a sachet of dried lavender beside the deck. The box is also in a Tupperware with a sachet of baking soda sitting inside it. We'll see how that does after they've sat today and tonight. Do you folks have any other tried and true methods that you use to eliminate odors?
stephanelli Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 I've not had to deodorise a deck, but I have deodorised many books. I actually often find the best cure for most things is to air them out thoroughly rather than shut them away (even with baking soda) - but do it somewhere well ventilated obviously. (For books I've used a shady part of the garden on a dry but breezy day and that's very effective but that probably won't work well for a deck of cards). I'm sure others have some suggestions, that's just what's worked for me!
PageOfCups Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 1 hour ago, stephanelli said: (For books I've used a shady part of the garden on a dry but breezy day and that's very effective but that probably won't work well for a deck of cards). Also, maybe don't stack them while you air them? I'd be more concerned with mold than odour. Mold/fungus can be dangerous and they grow on paper. There's even an episode of "Forensic Files" on the dangers of mold entitled "Breaking the Mold". Not to be an alarmist and scare you, just thought you should know.
gregory Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 (Unused) kitty litter does well. I put serious offenders in a huge box of lavender scented candles I happen to have. If you decide to use essential oils, put the cards at one end of a box and the oil on a tissue at the other. Make sure they don't connect. It takes the ink off the cards. I know this for a sad fact, but luckily it was only the back of one of the extras...
Raggydoll Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 Yup. As PageofCups said, certain types of mold can be really unhealthy to inhale. But if there are no visible traces of mold and you just have a bit of a basement smell then it could well still be saved. And I would use the same procedure for a deck that smell of cigarette smoke: I would start by carefully wiping the cards with a dry soft cloth to manually remove any dirt or mold spores. Then I would air the deck in a warm dry place until it’s completely free from damp. Finally, I’d do the kitty litter or baking soda trick and let it sit for at least four days. Then, gently brush them off and leave to air out a while longer. If you want to add some nice smell to it then you can place it on a shelf next to unlit candles. Even the unscented (non paraffin) candles add a nice smell that most allergic people can tolerate. Just remember to not have dry hands as you handle the deck when it’s covered in baking soda, otherwise it can clump onto the cards. And wash your hands carefully after the initial steps. And one more thing. While most people know that mold and cigarette smoke is bad for the lungs, not many people seem to know that incense is too. I have seen many people say that they simply cover up the bad smell with incense, and while that surely can be effective it’s debatable whether it’s a good idea. By exposing yourself to the smoke particles from incense you could be doing serious damage to your lungs and suffer the risk of asthma, lung inflammation, pneumonia or even cancer. The same goes for holy wood - Palo Santo etc. It’s a real thing. And especially children and adolescents are vulnerable. Lots of research has been done to prove that. Just thought I should mention it. (I know no one in this thread suggested it, I’ve just heard it mentioned so many times in other threads - particularly on Facebook that I wanted to bring it up).
Eric13 Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 If you can leave them outside in a plastic case with holes in it so air can flow through that should do it. I've done that with old books I got for free because of smokers. But, I could leave them outside like that.
Raggydoll Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 5 minutes ago, Eric said: If you can leave them outside in a plastic case with holes in it so air can flow through that should do it. I've done that with old books I got for free because of smokers. But, I could leave them outside like that. Good one! If it’s a dry warm day then that should be perfect
Eric13 Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 It is the safest way. As long as it doesn't rain.
katrinka Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 Pretty much what others have said here, with a couple of things to add. Raggydoll's suggestion that you wipe the cards is good, and if they're plastic coated, put a little rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, or Windex on the cloth or paper towel that you wipe them with. Smoke tends to gradually coat things - that's why the walls of places with a lot of smoking going on tend to turn nicotine yellow, it's what causes nicotine stains on peoples' fingers. Incense smoke is still smoke, but keeping a deck in a box with unlit incense can give it a nice aroma. Good quality essential oils and attars are also nice.
McFaire Posted September 2, 2019 Posted September 2, 2019 I had Tavaglione that I bought used and it arrived stinking of cigarette smoke. Ugh. It was awful. I was able to reverse it with baking soda. I scattered the cards in cardboard box, about 10x10 size, and sprinkled baking soda among them so they were all mixed. Then I put it away for a while and forgot about it, for at least a few weeks. I checked it a couple of times, and if I could detect even a hint of smoke, I left it for another few weeks. Eventually the smell was completely gone. I wiped off the cards with a Swifter type dust cloth and they were good as new.
HermitWriter Posted September 3, 2019 Author Posted September 3, 2019 Thanks for all the suggestions! Fortunately there is no moisture or water damage to the deck, and no visible traces of mold. Just the odor of cigarettes. Yesterday was a washout, but the end of this week should be pleasant enough to try airing them out. In the meantime, we'll see how the baking soda and lavender does 🙂
JustPeachy Posted September 6, 2019 Posted September 6, 2019 On 9/2/2019 at 4:37 PM, McFaire said: I had Tavaglione that I bought used and it arrived stinking of cigarette smoke. Ugh. It was awful. I was able to reverse it with baking soda. I scattered the cards in cardboard box, about 10x10 size, and sprinkled baking soda among them so they were all mixed. Then I put it away for a while and forgot about it, for at least a few weeks. I checked it a couple of times, and if I could detect even a hint of smoke, I left it for another few weeks. Eventually the smell was completely gone. I wiped off the cards with a Swifter type dust cloth and they were good as new. I have to second the baking soda and scattering the cards in a box filled with it totally makes sense to me. Just leave it alone for a while, go back, take a sniff, scatter more baking soda and let it sit until it absorbs the odor. Pro Tip: Baking soda is also great for your refrigerator!
Recommended Posts