I was hoping you could help me...I have a huge, karate
work out mat, (Plastic) and hubby left it outside....now
it has a musty smell I can't get rid of...What can I use
to get rid of that old musty smell...I want to bring it back
into my basement and use it for working out, but the
smell is a turn off...Thank you.~Mia
Try taking it outside and setting it in the sun---or hang
it if you can--be sure to expose both sides by turning
it. You can also use 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide mixed
with 5 cups water to wash it, THEN put it in the sun. Try
this and see if it helps. If not, you could sprinkle baking
soda on one side, then shake or vacuum it off. Turn it
over and do the same to the other side.
OUR READERS' ADVICE
I noticed a member was asking about a work out mat that
had a musty odor. Aquarium charcoal will help absorb
musty odors, so will plain charcoal. I once had a freezer
that had a musty odor, and we placed a container of
charcoal in the freezer, and closed the door. A week later
the odor was gone. She might like to try placing the mat
in a large plastic container and putting some charcoal in
the container with the mat. Leave the mat sealed up for a
few days, and see if the charcoal helps. ~Charlotte
Regarding the karate mat which smells musty: first, rinse
it very well. Then, make a solution of ammonia and water
(for example, 1/2 C. ammonia to a large pail of water).
Do this outdoors to allow the fumes to dispel. Scrub
well with ammonia, then rinse well again. Hang on a
line (or a deck railing, etc.) and allow to dry in the sun.
Ammonia is powerful, so use judiciously. It is excellent
for removing odors from many things. I use it in laundry,
especially when washing men's work clothes and items
that have begun to mold. As always, NEVER allow
ammonia to come into contact with chlorine bleach; it
can produce fatal fumes. I was present when someone
did that accidentally, and I nearly collapsed. ~moonrani
