there was a thread a while ago on this topic and someone mentioned a product used in funeral homes and other places to remove any smell. In that older thread someone gave the name of a place where you could get a hold of it. I searched but I can’t seem to find it. Anyone remember what it is?
A shovel?
snort … spew … coffee on monitor …
Can’t remember the name. The stuff is like Febreze but without the awful vanilla etc. smell.
That would be me.
There are a number of unscented brands out there targeting different markets (pets, hospitals, etc) but I assume they’re all fundamentally the same product, which is usually sprayed. It’s not an air freshener, though; you have to apply it directly to the surface you want deodorised. I first learned of it when detailing cars with smoke or skunk odors. I’m pretty impressed with the stuff, not least because not only does it work like a champ, it’s actually safe, and you’d think it was only water. I wouldn’t drink it, but apparently if you do it won’t hurt you. Hard to imagine, isn’t it.
Here are a couple of products just to start with:
http://www.nogc.com/naturesair.php
They’re really not all that hard to find if you Google “unscented deodorizer”. You can sometimes get it in bulk, too.
BTW, MTGuru, Febreeze actually has the unscented stuff too. Or it used to; supermarkets just won’t stock it. They want us to be enslaved to cheap horrid gaggy perfumes. 
I use one of those Ozone de-orderizing machines. I make a little tent with a sheet over the flute and front of the machine, run it for a couple of hours. Even a flute owned by a smoker, or that have a musty/mildewy odor comes out smelling good. 
Doc
OK, I’ll admit up front that I’m a bit prejudiced about this.
(Although all the products mentioned probably have a place in the world.)
I don’t like covering up the odors.
Most of this stuff either:
(a) disguises it with a stronger odor, or
(b) contains chemicals that block scent receptors so you don’t smell what is still there, or
(c) both.
That may be a good enough solution for many, but I’m in favor of removing all traces of offending crap.
Soap and water and scrubbing with bottle brushes.
I have an Overton high D whistle (made in yr. 2000) that I got off eBay, and it was a mess as received. The former owner never swabbed it out and was clearly an extremely heavy smoker. Essentially unplayable due to tobacco deposits in the windway. Hey, I’m a pipe smoker, but I really do clean out flutes and whistles dagnabbit! Eventually got it into fine playing shape and odorless.
I know, wooden flutes are different, but if it were me, I’d still use soapy water and various bottle or labware brushes; then afterward give everything a good oiling.
Once I rented a car for a long work-related drive, and it was supposed to be non-smoking, but they obviously covered up a trespasser with copious amounts of some chemicals. About halfway there (it was winter and the windows were rolled up), I got violently ill. Not usual with me at all, I’m fairly hardy around cigarettes and other stuff. But whatever it was made me about to puke. I had to stop alongside the road, and when feeling better drove the rest of the way with all windows down. Hence my prejudices.
All I’m saying is, cleaning out thoroughly seems like the better option to me. YMMV, and good luck to ya!
- Bill
Well, in the case of the chemical beta-cyclodextrin in Febreze, it apparently does neither. The molecule simply binds the scent molecule within its larger circular structure. thus rendering the whole complex unsmellable like any other undetectable molecule. It has no effect at all on your olfactory receptors, which is exactly why it works. And because the complex is water soluble, it can be washed away. It’s actually similar to the way that soap works.
I considered scrubbing down the musty insides of my vintage concertina with soap and water and brushes, but you know …
In general, I agree that the fewer artificial chemicals, the better. Doc’s idea of the non-intrusive ozone treatment is interesting. Where did I put my old Purolator machine?
I had to enjoy this a moment. Please continue.
Thank you very much Nano. That is the stuff I was thinking of.
Aanvil, I love that post!
Jim
Not the (unscented and safe, remember? 
) stuff I mentioned. MTGuru laid it out further as to how it works.
My pleasure. 
I’m presuming that Mutey considers “artificial chemicals” to be a tautology.
I happen to be fond of e.g. dihydrogen monoxide and deoxyribonucleic acid, thank you very much.
I can only tolerate it as an additive to beer.
I consider all chemicals to be real, very real and natural, very natural. Haven’t met an imaginary chemical yet. Haven’t met an unnatural chemical either. Now ingredients, they come in natural and artificial, but that’s another matter.
All very nice. But you haven’t explained your comment to MTGuru.
Have no idea what you’re on about, Mute. Maybe look up “artificial” in your dictionary, and the Latin roots of “artifice”. Anyway, enough.
i actually came across some multi purpose spray deodouriser thing in a computer shop the other day. apparently is was ‘super alkaline water’ or something like that, that was ionized, mostly for laptop/computer surfaces, but the brochure said you could use it on shoes, carpets , even your face! don’t know is that’s the thing you’re looking for though. my colleague bought a small bottle, and tried it, there was no smell/fragrance whatsoever, literally looked like water, as to how effective it is, i don’t know
Interesting. That sounds like a liquid version of Doc’s ozone treatment.