Stinky toxic uke cases

[mikelz777]

When people tell me my playing stinks I just blame it on the case.

 

[ghostrdr]

I had one case (not Kala or uke crazy, but i couldn’t tell the brand). I spent over a year trying everything to get rid of the horrible smell. Left outside, left open, baking soda, cedar blocks, febreeze everything! You name it, I tried it.
finally just gave the case away.

the last step was maybe to rip out all the padding and put new padding in,

 

[captain-janeway]

My Kamaka and Oahu branded hardcase never had any bad smell when new.

I've also bought a few very cheap Glarry hardcases that smelled strongly of chemicals when new. However, after airing them in the garage for a couple of weeks, there's no more smell.

Mine was a Glarry too and it stinks to high heaven. Only got it because it was a mandolin case that fit my banjo uke with a 10" pot. Ended up buying a gig bag. Have to reset the bridge every time I take it out.

 

[socal16]

I bought a case on line (can’t remember the brand) that stunk so badly I was getting nauseous. I called to return it and they said just keep it and gave me a refund.

 

[thaidye39]

I recently (within the last year) purchased an Oahu case that smelled so heavily of toxic chemical. I emailed TUS/HMS and they let me know that it was the strap (I never took it out of the accessory pocket). I removed the strap and put some essential oils (frankincense and orange) on dryer sheets and shut them in the case for two weeks. I can still faintly smell the glue, but it is a lot better.

 

[mikelz777]

I think the seller was aware of the odor in my smelly case when I bought it off Ebay. When I received it it had two 3"x3" desiccant packets in it. I left it open to air out both indoors and out for 2-3 days and it still stunk. I asked the seller for a return and a refund and they ended up just refunding my money and told me I could keep it. I left it outdoors and in the sun for several days and left it open in front of a fan for hours at a time. I covered the interior with baking soda and let it sit for a few days and then vacuumed it out. All that made a noticeable difference but didn't totally eliminate the smell. It's been a couple years and it isn't as smelly but there is still a slight funk there if you get your nose kinda close. Maybe the Irish Spring soap thing will help. I was thinking of trying coffee grounds as well if I needed another option.