My "new to me" Viking Rose:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-152287-1.htm

I've wiped it down with rubbing alcohol, Fabuloso, vinegar and Odoban.. to no avail.

Obviously (and unfortunately) I can't submerge it.

Has anyone ever tried putting a sewing machine into a large plastic box filled with charcoal and securing a lid on top?
I'm considering giving this route a whirl.
This smell is absolutely overbearing to me.

Any and all suggestions welcome.
It sews beautifully and I'd like to really enjoy sewing on it!

Try bounce fabric softener sheets. Keep a couple in your case when you are not using it.

Irish Spring soap closed in a case has been recommended for wooden cases and vintage machines that have an odor. It might work with a plastic machine, too. I'd put some Irish Spring in the case and set the whole thing in the sun if you have somewhere you can do that.

I would go the charcoal route. My featherweight case smelled horribly of mold. Tried everything -- sunlight, heat, soap, softener sheets. Nothing got rid of the smell. Then I bought a pair of OdorEaters charcoal shoe inserts and put them in the case with the machine. After two weeks, no more odor! Ever! (The OdorEaters provide some nice cushioning in the case, so I just keep them in there permanently now.)

Charcoal is one of the best for actually absorbing odors instead of masking them. On Amazon you can buy something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Pack-Bamboo-Ch...pr_product_top

This is great information to know. thanks for the tips.

Maybe a couple of drops of vanilla extract. Someone told me about that when they had a moldy smell in their cooler.

The hard case is actually a slip over cover, not a completely enclosed case.
The cover also reeks.
Which brings me back to the large plastic box with a lid. :)

I've deodorized my FW case.. (much easier to approach as it's enclosed) but it wasn't near as bad as this. :(

Try wiping it all down with a strong solution of vinegar and water.

We had a fire in our basement, and the whole house reeked of smoke. The "Fire/Smoke Clean up Crew" came in, and washed all the walls, ceiling, etc., etc., and I mean everything, with a strong solution of vinegar and water! You'd have thought they'd use some exotic chemical, but no, just vinegar and water. Of course the carpets either had to be replaced (where the fire was) or cleaned, and all that. But I swear that vinegar and water took away the smoke smell. They also used charcoal filters and absorbers, so I absolutely agree with using that as well. You may have to do it more than once, and maybe it doesn't work on plastic, I don't know. But they said vinegar is the only thing that will dissolve the tars and resins left by smoke.

Worth a try a least!

Warmest Regards,

That's wonderful to know!

I would be concerned about moisture from the substance used to get rid of the odor. Have you sent a message to the company asking their advice. Check the company web site for frequently asked questions. Or might check with a local dealer.

I will be in a group this weekend where there are at least two people who repair sewing machines. I will ask their advice about the smell problem.

Thanks!
I would not consider leaving anything liquid on the machine. A wipe-down is only going to affect the outside while at this point I'm thinking the smoke odor is coming from the interior more than exterior.

So far, I'm thinking that charcoal and/or baking soda in an enclosed box are the safest ideas. If I knew 100% that there was no way an open dish/cup/glass of vinegar wouldn't get spilled, I'd try that in the box. However, having a 4 year old and a min-pin in the same house makes me think more than twice about trying it! ;-)

I've scrubbed things with baking soda by wetting my finger, dipping it in the soda and rubbing vigorously. It doesn't scratch the surface.

yes vinegar is great for eliminating odors so is charcoal. the odor eaters are a great idea. i will have to try those some day.

I decided to try the vinegar dishes in a plastic box thing as I have both the box and the vinegar. :)
I've placed the it away from danger of getting disturbed ~hopefully!
Let's see what happens.

I'm going to give it 24 hours then see if there's been any improvement.

I would put it in a garbage bag with activated carbon (the stuff they put in aquarium filters--fairly cheap at Wal-mart). Tie the bag shut and leave it sit. I've done this with thrift store and hand me down clothing to get rid of the "grandma" smell as my kids call it.

Maybe it would be enough to wipe all the surfaces down with vinegar, which you should do at least once anyway.

Another thought: instead of vinegar in a dish, why don't you try wetting a sponge with vinegar and setting that on a saucer, or something unbreakable. That way, there's nothing to spill, even if bumped, and it will give off the vinegar fumes, probably better than having an open dish because the sponge will be drying and giving off fumes from all surfaces, not just the top of the bowl. And if it's enclosed, the fumes should penetrate everything. Just a safety thought.

Here's to Success!