Removing musty smells from grip

[RLB0414]

I recently picked up a fixed blade that has a rubber grip. The ad stated sheath was slightly musty. The rubber grip is permeated with mold smell. I have left it in direct sunlight over several days and it still wreaks of mold. Without causing rubber to become gummy is there anyway to remove the smell and retain the grip?
Thanks

 

[Mossyhorn]

Clove oil will remove the smell, and it will keep mice from chewing on it.

 

[RLB0414]

Clove oil will remove the smell, and it will keep mice from chewing on it.

Thanks

 

[kvaughn]

Handle in plastic bag wirh activated charcoal for a week worked for me on wood scales. They had a heavy oil smell.

 

[RLB0414]

Handle in plastic bag wirh activated charcoal for a week worked for me on wood scales. They had a heavy oil smell.

Thanks

 

[Guy McVer]

Some mold probably permeated the rubber. I would try submerging the handle in vinegar for a day or two. Vinegar kills most types of mold, and I find that it's often good at neutralizing strong odors too. It's also somewhat decent at removing rust, but I would still oil the knife immediately after removing it from the vinegar.

If you are worried about submerging it in vinegar for an extended period of time, then you might instead try adding some baking soda to make the vinegar react in a foamy way, which can sometimes be helpful in cleaning. You can then scrub the handle while the mixture is foaming.

 

[RLB0414]

Some mold probably permeated the rubber. I would try submerging the handle in vinegar for a day or two. Vinegar kills most types of mold, and I find that it's often good at neutralizing strong odors too. It's also somewhat decent at removing rust, but I would still oil the knife immediately after removing it from the vinegar.

If you are worried about submerging it in vinegar for an extended period of time, then you might instead try adding some baking soda to make the vinegar react in a foamy way, which can sometimes be helpful in cleaning. You can then scrub the handle while the mixture is foaming.

Thanks. Tried baking soda dissolved in almost boiling water. That did not work.
Currently knives in a bag with activated charcoal. Trying the easy routes first.

 

[kreisler]

i have no experience with mold smell in rubber. ni papa.
i only made the xperiance that one of the most effective (ever!) cleaning substance is dishwasher tabs (manually powderize a tab first!).
so, if all of the above fails, you could try this:
pour very hot water in an tumbler, add a tablespoon of (powderized) dishwasher tab right away, and stirr to dissolve the crumbs.
now place the knife handle into this solution and let it sit overnight. the longer the better, of course.
basically it's like putting your knife into the dishwasher.

yes, dishwasher tabs are severely aggressive for being a soapy detergent (i would only place ceramic plates in my dishwasher!) so try this method with caution only.

apparently, mold molecules have diffused into your rubber and maybe created a chemical bond with the rubber. if such a thing has happened, then no method could really release the smell imho. btw the physics and physical chemistry of smell is still a mystery to me (and to science).

your case, a tough one. good luck!

 

[rycen]

You could always try an ozone generator