Asked on Jan 20, 2019
How do I remove moldy smell from old photos?
by Wanda
+7
I have several photos that came from my grandmother’s house. The house has been vacant for 10 1/2 yrs and is falling apart. I despise that moldy smell and have ruined a professional family photo trying to take the cardboard backing off. I have trashed the frames but don’t want to bring the photos in the house until the smell is gone. They are spread out in the garage. I need to do something before further damage is done. How do I remove the musty smell from the old pictures? Thanks!
Suggested Project Book
Put them in a plastic storage container with loosely wadded up newspapers plus a generous sprinkle of baking soda. Leave them for several days. I have heard this works but never had to try it myself. The only other thing I can think to try is to call some professional restoring companies for ideas. Even furniture restorers must deal with musty/moldy furniture.
Baking soda. Set them in the sun face down.
http://www.ala.org/alcts/preservationweek/advice/process-removing-mildew-smell-old-photos
https://www.hotukdeals.com/discussions/very-old-photographshow-do-i-get-rid-of-the-musty-smell-1177081
https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/ask-nedcc/faqs
Hi Wanda,
My name is Linda. You can use baking soda, cat litter or activated charcoal to help remove the smell. It will take some time though. Put each photo in a plastic bag with which ever ingredient you are going to use. Let them sit for a month then check to see if the odor is gone. If it's not, put in fresh baking soda, cat litter of activated charcoal with the photo again and let it sit for another month. It might take some time, but this will help you. Also I don't know how many pictures you have, but if there are a lot and if you think there is some active mold, put the pictures that you're not working on in the freezer to buy you some time. Wishing you the best.
Hi ! I would try taking a plastic tub with a kid , put a good amount of baking soda in the bottom , or in a few shallow dishes , then place your photos in the box and put the lid back on. Baking soda absorbs scents ! I would dump the baking soda out each day and replace it with fresh baking soda. Do this for 3-5 days . Then once the smell is much better , take out the baking soda , and replace it with a few scented dryer sheets in a few days the smell should be gone ! This is what I did to rid an old
Trunk of a horrible musty smell. Good luck !!!
I would leave them spread out in your garage and ozonate the entire garage. That will eliminate any mildew without damaging anything
Omg, you trashed the frames? I bet they'd have been a godsend for someone who loves the old frames!
Oh, I'd do as Pamela and Laura said already!
Good luck.