How can I get strong perfume odors out of vintage suitcases?

Gin2215029
by Gin2215029
I have bought a number of vintage train cases that have overwhelming cologne/perfume odors. I've tried baking soda and charcoal, but nothing seems to work. Help!
  7 answers
  • Beatriz Maria Beatriz Maria on Mar 27, 2016
    Try with a damp with white vinegar and dry the case opened. If necessary repeat the operation.
  • Dfm Dfm on Mar 27, 2016
    how long did you leave the baking soda or charcoal in place? is the case fiberboard or paper product lined. there is a product called odo ban- i use it on pet stains- depending on the surface it may help. have you tried kitty litter ? the kind with odor absorbing crystals?
    • Gin2215029 Gin2215029 on Mar 27, 2016
      I tried everything else for days except the kitty litter. Thank you!
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 27, 2016
    Put a bowl of white vinegar in the cases and leave in overnight to absorb the odor.
  • Laurie Laurie on Mar 27, 2016
    Crumple up some newspaper and fill the suitcases with it. Change out the newspaper if the smell remains after the first treatment. I've use this trick in antique furniture and it really does work. Good luck !
  • GrinninGramma GrinninGramma on Mar 27, 2016
    Put them outside on a nice day and open them up to the fresh air. Before you close them, put dryer sheets in the sections. This won't completely eradicate the smell but it will tone down the odor quite a bit. If the smell is really overwhelming, get a small bottle of unscented ZorbX (available from Lowe's) and give each suitcase a couple squirts, then close the them up. We use this in our antique shops for suitcases, old trunks, etc. It doesn't stain and doesn't just cover the odor. It actually destroys it.
  • Cheryl Cheryl on Mar 27, 2016
    I was also going to suggest using white vinegar, but I see that there are many other great ideas here too!
  • Arlene Holden Arlene Holden on Mar 27, 2016
    Try tea bags. Worked well with getting nasty smells out of cars. Also you can putting a sliced onion in a bowl to draw the odor out.