Thrift store smell...?

[Tetzly]

I recently purchased a very cheap clone 858d hot air station from Ebay. For $36 shipped the thing works so far, no issues there. My problem is the thrift store smell of it. It smells like second hand clothing, really strong...beyond the "first time you use it odor will be produced..." I sprayed a vinegar solution on it last night and it didn't really help too much, the stink is coming from inside the unit and the hand held blower. I would rather not have to smell Goodwill store while i'm working.

Anyone have any ideas about what I can do to get rid of the CCC warehouse stink? Baking soda? Kitty litter?...ugh.

[Stray Electron]

  I have a commercial HEPA air filter that has 2 UV-C germicidal lamps in it and they produce a tiny bit of ozone so when I get stinky stuff I set it on top of the air outlet on the air filter and in a day or two the ozone seems to kill the mildew or whatever is causing the odor.  For old books, I used to put baking soda in a salt shaker and sprinkle it between every page in the book and that also killed the odor.

[soldar]

That musty smell is often tobacco and sometimes mildew and other stuff that grows in damp places. Items from a smoker's home sometimes have, not only smell, but also a layer of gook which is disgusting.

Airing in dry air and time will help. Ozone, Chlorine, UV, all help.

Chorine bleach will get rid of anything and everything but, of course, it cannot always be used depending on the object to be cleaned.

[tkamiya]

I don't know where you are, but leaving it under direct sun for a day or two takes care of most smells.  Ozone generator works well, too.  I have a cheapo from Amazon and it's amazingly effective.  Just don't over-do it, as it is bad for plastic.

[tooki]

That musty smell is often tobacco and sometimes mildew and other stuff that grows in damp places. Items from a smoker's home sometimes have, not only smell, but also a layer of gook which is disgusting.

Airing in dry air and time will help. Ozone, Chlorine, UV, all help.

Chorine bleach will get rid of anything and everything but, of course, it cannot always be used depending on the object to be cleaned.

I don’t think he’s saying it’s from a thrift store (or even that it’s used), merely that it smells similar.

[Tetzly]

That musty smell is often tobacco and sometimes mildew and other stuff that grows in damp places. Items from a smoker's home sometimes have, not only smell, but also a layer of gook which is disgusting.

Airing in dry air and time will help. Ozone, Chlorine, UV, all help.

Chorine bleach will get rid of anything and everything but, of course, it cannot always be used depending on the object to be cleaned.

I don’t think he’s saying it’s from a thrift store (or even that it’s used), merely that it smells similar.

Correct. The item was sold as new, but stinks like a second hand store. I did a little research on what exactly that smell is, but still am uncertain. Combination of mildew and fungicide, or mothballs perhaps, although i'm not aware of any commercial product that smells like that. It might be fading a little bit, at least in the handset.