[JustinD]

Originally Posted by philliesfan

I have several sheets of 1987 Topps with the fronts blank. Back in the day, I just used scissors to cut a small block of 9 with a star player in the center and sell them at shows. I always told buyers that they are a novelty and were hand cut from a sheet.
I still have several sheets of those but they were stored in a damp basement and have that musty smell. I am not sure what to do with them now.
Bob

I fix that the same way I fix smoky purchases.

Get an airtight storage tub and fill the bottom with baking soda about a half inch deep or line the bottom with dryer sheets. I do not like my material to touch in case of a stain or reaction so I suspend the stinky item above by using a wire cooling rack for pies or whatever and using 4 similar items like shot glasses as legs. If you have the room, tossing it in the freezer will speed the process. Wait a few days and check for progress, the smell will be gone in no more than a week for the worst. I have seen kitty litter pellets used for this also.

I actually keep a single card smoke emergency kit in my card area. If it’s just one smoky eBay card, I have an old fashioned draining soap dish like this filled with baking soda that I set the card on and slip into a ziploc bag and leave till I decide to pull it out in a couple weeks. https://www.hartstores.com/en/soap-dish.html

Other options in an emergency can be done also. If it’s large books that are being difficult, I have used cedar pet bedding to kill the smell. If you have an actual mold issue and it needs to be killed, place a very small bowl of bleach in the container and suspend the item 4” at least above. The vapor from the bleach will kill the mold and stop foxing. Be very careful doing this as too long will damage the item.