Ok, so I'm a smoker, I don't smoke inside the house or near my stamps or items, but I do smoke. I recently purchased some stamps on an auction site and after opening the envelope almost barfed at how bad they smelled. I smoke and am used to the smell of smoke, but these must have been near like 20 years of cigar smoke or something. I can seriously smell them from over a foot away. What can I do to ease or get rid of the smell without damaging the stamps themselves? Thanks in advance!
I think you just need to put it (scatter) in the open with air freely circulating on it. I can not think of any other way than that.
You could always purchase this mini-sheet and put it in with them View attachment 696 And I will let you guess what it smells of (the pic is a big clue LOL)
haha, scratch and sniff stamps, anyone? I've even been considering leaving them next to an incense burner, lol. Worth a shot, right? Also, I remember you guys talking about soaking stamps in certain citruses to remove them from covers... what are some safe liquids? Perhaps soaking them might remove the smell as well!
Ive heard that you can soak stamps in mild dish detergent to remove gum from stamps. Might want to try for the smell. Maybe try on just a few stamps and see how they smell afterwards. Just a thought...
Good idea. Any suggestions on mid detergents? Seems like everything on the shelf now-a-days is labeled as "Extra Strength!" or "Maximum Crud Remover!' lol. Perhaps even a light vinegar might work?
Leave them in an envelope with baking soda for a few days... ??? Maybe? Works for odors in other places, so it might absorb those odors too. I'd be careful with purfumes or citrus. Those sorts of things may cause damage. I heard it said that citrus liquids can damage the ink in some stamps. I don't know for sure myself.
That's actually a really good idea, it might be a pain to wipe them all off after, but it should do the job. Thanks.
Maybe Dawn, or something like that. Whatever you use, just use a small amount, and just try it on a couple of stamps first.
Yeah, I think I'll try it on some of the less valuable (or less cool-looking) stamps, starting with the seemingly less destructive baking soda and if it doesn't work, move my way towards the harder stuff like dish soaps and such. Thanks for all the advice, I'll be sure to post my results. They've already lost a bit of the smell just airing out, so hopefully these will finish them off.
Just put it in a air circulating container and leave the container outside, the odor should be gone within a few days. I haven't done this, but it makes sense logically.
This is an easy one as that's a very common problem. Put stamps in a container with some newspapers for a day or so and VOILA! smell free. Hope this helps.
Yes, I have and usually do the newspaper way for pages and albums and had wonderful results. Also, if there isn't a ton of them and/or they are all used then why not just give them a dip (like soaking off piece) in a little warm water & dish soap. I know that has been mentioned earlier, but I thought I'd tell you first hand. I've done all of the above and those work best. I have never used that citrus stuff (and fear change) so I have no clue on it. I have, however heard a lot of good things about it. It just boils down to common sense. Just beware of fugitive colors on the stamps AND cancels. Have fun and please let me/us know what method you used and your result. ~Jay
I've never heard of the newspaper thing, sounds sort of like the baking soda trick, but since it's newspaper, it actually might keep more of that "postage" or paper smell stamps usually have. Interesting method. As VC asked, have you tried it before?
Woah, sorry if it seems I asked after your response, but the forums are acting strange, my post was before yours, but it came out after. Weird.
