Old coach smells

opened up the coach today early,, aired it out really good. seems like most of the smell was the pink in the drains. don't dare flush it out yet.

Another vote for the ozone generator but you will probably need to find the cause of the smell, ie; mattress, furniture, carpet, curtains, cooking residue, ceiling cover, walls. After cleaning all those things and provided there's not a leak, vent or dead animal, I think you'd be happy with the results of the ozone generator. They don't cover up smells, they actually eliminate them. Sewer plants are some of the biggest customers of ozone generators.

OH, and don't stay inside until it's aired out for a few hours after using one of them. Ozone is not good for you.

X2 on mice they give off a musty type order and you smell it as soon as you open the door (ask me how I know}.

We put in a large bouquet of eucalyptus and that took the mice smell out until they found a way beck in. Dryer sheets work short time.

When all else fails ozone generator works great but you should not occupy the RV while the ozone generator is running.

You can also sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, let it sit for while and vacuum up. The do have this type of thing for pet odors that you can use that will have a nicer smell than plain baking soda.

Our MH definitely has that old coach smell. I have tried the ozone generator but I think I will retry it again. One of the things I think is causing mine is the carpeting. I want to replace it but it can wait. I often wonder if the wall/ceiling panels aren't still off gassing. It seems no matter what older RV you go into they all start to smell the same.

Any chance that a small critter or two got in to your coach and have taken up residence? A little mouse urine and feces can change the odor in an RV.

Tom/Barb wrote:
... doesn't have a leak, we re-sealed the roof last fall. the coach has been closed up a while, so when I went in yesterday it did smell kinda stuffy...

Stuffy and "old coach smell" are two different things. If stuffy then open windows. If "old coach smell" then I would still look for a leak. If you sealed the roof (maybe there was a reason you needed too?) then the next likely place would be slides if you have them. If they have been extended out during storage then I would look behind the couch along the wall and within the dinette seats if you have those. That old coach smell is mold and it needs moisture, no air movement, and darkness to get really rocking and rolling.

Stay away from Fabreeze. It just covers up the odor. A good cleaning of all surfaces and fabric, and a good airing out on a warm spring day with a nice breeze and you'll be set.

Effy wrote:

mtrumpet wrote:

Effy wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Fabreeze on the stuffed furniture and Fresh Wave in the living spaces.

That stuff has so many chemicals and perfumes that it's more of a hazard than if you had mold.

Could you please elaborate? We use Fabreeze somewhat often and I would like to know more about what you have referred to here.

I am probably more oversensitive than most when it comes to airborne chemicals. I have a lung disease that while not critical if I am careful is really aggravated by things with a lot of perfumes. Candles, sprays, laundry detergents etc, give me a pretty bad reaction. In my research I have uncovered a ton of evidence that things with a lot of chemicals and perfumes are simply bad for you. It's kind of common sense. If you have an airborne spray with a ton of chemicals and perfumes designed to cover up smells, doesn't it make sense that if you breathed it, it's harmful? It's really sad that the FDA approves this stuff and that people depend on it so heavily rather than fixing the root of the problem. I smell that stuff in people's houses I turn right around and walk out the door. Otherwise I'll be coughing for 2 days. Call me the canary in a coal mine.

A few artciles - there are dozens just like it.

http://cincovidas.com/7-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-use-febreze-or-other-chemical-air-fresheners/

http://www.thealternativedaily.com/10-ways-febreze-threatens-your-health-and-how-to-freshen-your-home-naturally/

Here's a breakdown of the ingredients:

Ingredients Found in Febreze

The following is a list of only some of the chemicals that were identified with the EWG test conducted on Febreze Air Effects air freshener. All of them are toxic to humans .
•BHT – BHT is an endocrine disruptor, neurotoxin and causes toxicity in non-reproductive organs, immune system and irritates both lungs and eyes.
•Fragrance – This ingredient is listed, but this still doesn’t change the fact that it is an immunotoxin, neurotoxin and allergen.
•Acetaldehyde – Acetaldehyde has been linked to cancer and it is known as a strong toxin that affects immunity, reproduction and development. In addition it irritates the eyes, lungs and skin.
•1.3-Dichloro-2-propanol – This substance can lead to cancer
•Propylene Glycol – It causes allergies, cancer, builds-up in the body, toxic to immune system and non-reproductive organ system. It is also a skin, lung and eye irritant.
•Limonene – It irritates the eyes, skin and lungs. It is an allergen and immunotoxin.
•Alcohol denatured – This is another ingredient that is officially listed in Febreze. It was related to cancer and can lead to reproductive and developmental toxicity.
•Methyl pyrrolidone – Immunotoxin and allergen, toxic to development and reproduction and acts as a lung, eye and skin irritation.
•Ethyl acetate – This ingredient was linked to neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, lung, skin and eye irritation and organic system toxicity.
•Butylphenyl methylpropional – immunotoxin, allergen and lung, eyes and skin irritation.
•Linalool – Causes irritation in eyes, lungs and skin, a well-known immunotoxin and allergen.
•Geraniol – Can contribute to the development of allergies. Geraniol is also linked to organic system toxicity, immunotoxicity and eyes, lung and skin irritation.
•Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether – toxic for the non-reproductive organ system
•Benzaldehyde – neurotoxin that can irritate the lungs, eyes and skin.
•Hexyl cinnamal – immunotoxin, allergen, irritator of the skin, lung and eyes.
•Ethylhexanol – reproductive and developmental toxin that can cause irritation in the eyes, lungs and skin.

That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing that info. Need to share that with DW.

gbopp wrote:
Run a dehumidifier and see if it helps.
Or a Ozone generator.

X2 on renting the Ozone Generator. Just empty any food tuffs out of the rig and keep away for 24 hours.