57heaven
Active Member
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
Currently Offline
|
Post by 57heaven on Aug 25, 2020 10:25:22 GMT -8
I am looking at a 64 Yellowstone that a neighbor has offered to me. The interior has the usual smell from being closed up and some mice issues. Wondering what you would recommend to clean the fabric on the seat questions? Surprisingly it does not appear to have any mouse damage on the seat covers. The fabric covers have a zipper which would should allow me to take the foam out so that might make it easier to clean the fabric but I'm looking for ideas on how to go about it the best way and what to use. Thanks.
|
|
Hamlet
2K Member
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 925
Currently Offline
|
Post by Hamlet on Aug 25, 2020 11:58:32 GMT -8
Take the covers off. If you can afford it, have them dry cleaned. They will usually be able to get stains out. If not dry cleaning, pre-treat any spots, then fill your tub about half full of cool water and laundry detergent. Lay the covers in the tub ad push them up and down enough times to have the water circulate through all the covers. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Repeat three or four times. Empty the tub and refill with cold water. Do the pressing thing again, drain and. Refill the tub and repeat at least one more time. Any detergent remaining in the fabric may cause it to soil more quickly.
This is also a good time to check the seams and make repairs if needed. Also a good time to air out the cushions themselves. Sprinkling them with baking soda and letting them sit outside for a few days should help a lot.
Good luck!
|
|
57heaven
Active Member
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
Currently Offline
|
Post by 57heaven on Aug 25, 2020 12:30:27 GMT -8
Thanks. I don't think staining is an issue, just the smell. Any ballpark idea on how much dry cleaning would cost or would hand washing be more apt to get out the smell?
|
|
shastatom
Full Member
I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
Posts: 745
Likes: 419
Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by shastatom on Aug 25, 2020 16:28:55 GMT -8
I would guess the mice made nests inside the seats. Get the covers off and clean out the mouse stuff.
You may have to paint the springs and framing to lock in the smell. I would also guess the smell will not come out of the foam, batting and fabric depending on how bad the mice nests are.
|
|
57heaven
Active Member
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
Currently Offline
|
Post by 57heaven on Aug 25, 2020 17:15:32 GMT -8
There are no mice holes in the fabric, I guess I just know the inside of the camper has that funky smell of being closed up so I just assumed it would be a good idea to clean the seats. Not saying that there is any actual mouse damage to them as the only actual mouse nests I found were in one drawer and in a couple of old blankets that were in the closet.
|
|
57heaven
Active Member
Posts: 145
Likes: 6
Currently Offline
|
Post by 57heaven on Aug 26, 2020 3:25:14 GMT -8
Has anyone ever tried using an ozone generator to remove smells in a camper?
|
|
shastatom
Full Member
I can chase women or fix campers, I choose to fix what I understand........... campers.
Posts: 745
Likes: 419
Shasta 54,57 1500 58 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by shastatom on Aug 26, 2020 4:36:12 GMT -8
Besides the seats and drawers when I took the ice box out of every camper the top of the ice box was full of dead mice and nests. Keep looking and one you know everything is gone then you have a chance, but you may also be smelling old wet wood hidden in the walls.
|
|
WhitneyK
Active Member
Posts: 492
Likes: 169
'67 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by WhitneyK on Aug 26, 2020 5:16:39 GMT -8
Take the covers off. pre-treat any spots, then fill your tub about half full of cool water and laundry detergent. Lay the covers in the tub ad push them up and down enough times to have the water circulate through all the covers. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes. Repeat three or four times. Empty the tub and refill with cold water. Do the pressing thing again, drain and. Refill the tub and repeat at least one more time. Any detergent remaining in the fabric may cause it to soil more quickly. This is also a good time to check the seams and make repairs if needed. Also a good time to air out the cushions themselves. Sprinkling them with baking soda and letting them sit outside for a few days should help a lot. Good luck! I agree with Hamlet, I've done this on several vehicles I've bought from my brother who always hauls a big dog around. Laundry detergent does wonders. Washing cloth is washing cloth more or less. I do this to the seat covers, pull the carpet out and lay it on the driveway, scrub and hose it down with the same solution. On the cushions, I've had some ideas rolling around in my head (scary) but haven't tried them yet. I too have some foam cushions that I would like to re-use but have that "old camper" smell. My thoughts: 1) Mix up a strong mixture of you favorite good smelling laundry soap and water in a large tub, barrel, bath tub, you know, enough to cover the cushions. 2) Place the cushions in one at a time and "walk on them", kind of like stomping grapes so that the soap solution gets into it. 3) Probably follow with a rinse cycle and/or use some fabric softener for added pleasant smells. 4) Now, how to get all that water out before it causes problems, hmmm. Stepping on them to squish it out might work a little? Jack up a vehicle, place a piece of plywood on top of the foam under the tire and let it down? Might squeeze out quite a bit? Or just hang up in the tree to drain for a few days? 5) Last thought to thoroughly dry them out after draining; put them in the hot, dry attic for a couple weeks? Like I always say, It's just a thought, didn't say it was a good one...
|
|
Hamlet
2K Member
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 925
Currently Offline
|
Post by Hamlet on Aug 26, 2020 9:02:01 GMT -8
I like the idea of running a plywood covered cushion over with a car. As far as the scent, I’m really sensitive to odors, so everything in our house is fragrance free. That’s why I suggested baking soda. And leaving things to dry in the sun is about the best fragrance for me. The bathtub will work for cushions as long as they aren’t the kind with springs in the,. There are still a few out there in the oldest trailers. Those would have to be treated like a good chair, mattress, etc.
|
|
lila
Member
Posts: 44
Likes: 13
Currently Offline
|
Post by lila on Aug 27, 2020 10:31:24 GMT -8
We had a 1974 trailer that smelled like someone had lived and died in it. I tried the ozone machine, tried nil odor, tried air freshener, dryer sheets and coffee spread everywhere. there was no foam cushions in the trailer. it turned out to be rotted plywood under the water tank. The wood was dry but it still smelled bad. Once that was replaced no more smell.
|
|
WhitneyK
Active Member
Posts: 492
Likes: 169
'67 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by WhitneyK on Aug 28, 2020 5:07:45 GMT -8
As far as the scent, I’m really sensitive to odors, so everything in our house is fragrance free. That’s why I suggested baking soda. And leaving things to dry in the sun is about the best fragrance for me. The bathtub will work for cushions as long as they aren’t the kind with springs in them. I wonder if vinegar would help in the washing process, then rinse well? Maybe just a good rinsing of bleach water would kill any odor causing bacteria, then clean water rinse? Just throwing out ideas (while my mind is open )
|
|
Hamlet
2K Member
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 925
Currently Offline
|
Post by Hamlet on Aug 28, 2020 5:50:14 GMT -8
As far as the scent, I’m really sensitive to odors, so everything in our house is fragrance free. That’s why I suggested baking soda. And leaving things to dry in the sun is about the best fragrance for me. The bathtub will work for cushions as long as they aren’t the kind with springs in them. I wonder if vinegar would help in the washing process, then rinse well? Maybe just a good rinsing of bleach water would kill any odor causing bacteria, then clean water rinse? Just throwing out ideas (while my mind is open )un I rarely use bleach as it’s pretty toxic, but vinegar will work, and a good dose of sunlight will help as well.
|
|