# How to dispel that old Caravan smell. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 13, 2010, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280 "2010-05-13T09:50:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/21 "2010-05-14T00:43:33Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > The Bloke and I are the new proud parents of a really dinky old caravan that hales from (circa) 1970. It has an aluminium body with the requisite laminex panelling-over-plywood on the walls and cupboards, linoleum-tiled floor and daggy old upholstered cushioning for the seats and bed-mattress. > > The van itself is in amazing nick, with no apparent dampness or water damage to the wall linings, and no rust outside either. The previous owners used it for a ‘spare bedroom’ and it has been left outside, uncovered for the past three years. I’m guessing that BEFORE that, it was always kept in a garage or at least under tarpaulin/s for protection. > > But anyway, the caravan has that typical **OLD CARAVAN SMELL** , that assaults you as you walk in the door. It’s more a mustiness than a ‘dead’ smell, and I’m looking for ways to get rid of it. I’ve had the van airing with the windows open (under cover), and I’ve bunged in a dish of bicarbonate of soda to see whether that helps at all. > > I’d rather not attempt to ‘mask’ the odour with incense and stuff (although if I have to, I will spray the buggery out of it with Febreze or similar) but was wondering whether youse lot might have some tried and true tricks up yer’ sleeves to help me make my new caravan the sweetest girl on the block! > > (She’s getting her Roadworthy Certificate tomorrow, and then getting registered with some shiny new plates…come Saturday morning, she’s going through her initiation rites by heading to a lovely camping area 'bout 20 minutes drive away on the banks of an anabranch of the Murray River). > > She’s a sweetie, but I wish she didn’t smell so old. 😛 OK, I’m pretty sure the rules say you can’t post in a foreign language. Can someone translate? A couple of these are words I know, but are completely incomprehensible in context: _laminex daggy nick bunged odour buggery anabranch_ ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/22 "2010-05-14T01:19:57Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > OK, I’m pretty sure the rules say you can’t post in a foreign language. Can someone translate? A couple of these are words I know, but are completely incomprehensible in context: Well incomprehensible in your context anyway, perfectly fluent strine in context using the local venacular. _laminex_ = brand name, you may know it as Formica, a hard wearing flat surface made of laminated phenolic and melamine resins commonly used in kitchens and bench tops. _daggy_ = you know that uncle who doesn’t quite dress up with the times?, he’s daggy _nick_ amazing nick = good condition as distinct from \*nick of time \*= just in time _bunged_ = put _odour_ = wtf? smell, or do you just spell it without the “U” _buggery_ (the buggery) = a lot, probably to excess [anabranch](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabranch) = a river that branches off one river, then later rejoins the same river ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/23 "2010-05-14T01:55:22Z")
… and anyway, why am I bloody cleaning up bloody Bazza MacKenzies bloody sheila’s bloody mess? Struth. ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/24 "2010-05-14T03:01:11Z")
Just to add a bit of nuance nick = steal, as in grab and run. An equivalent phrase in American would probably be “The van itself was a steal!” bunged = put, but with more of a “smacked it in tight, without much care as to accuracy”. For example, you don’t bung a key into a keyhole, but you might bung a stopper into your wine bottle. There’s also a D&D joke in here, but I can’t find it ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/25 "2010-05-14T10:21:36Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > … and anyway, why am I bloody cleaning up bloody Bazza MacKenzies bloody sheila’s bloody mess? > > Struth. ‘Cos I was off having dinner at me’ daughter’s joint supping on a great bowl of stewp and munching spinach/fetta pasties, but thanks all the same for covering for me **pen-thule!** 😃 BTW, it’s STREWTH innit? Anyway, the old girl _didn’t_ get her Roadworthy/Rego today. We needed a couple of new tyres because the other ones were dinkum original from circa 1973 and although they still had plenty of tread on 'em, the rubber on the walls was somewhat _perished_ you might say. 😉 Nothing lasts forever! The local bloke put some newbies on, but we were lacking a spare…a 13" old HJ Holden wheel, so after much enquiry found a source in Wangaratta (yes, it is a real name for a town…I know **you** know that PT, but some of our international posters might think I’m pulling their leg!) Fifty bucks for a fucken ancient old wheel with a dodgy tyre on it, but hey…whaddya gonna do? Can’t argue price or condition with country dealers, and it’s only the spare afterall. 😛 My darling also needs a new braking-reservoir system, but our local fella reckons he can source the parts and have it done by Monday arvo, and apart from that, the old girl is PEACHES. So this weekend’s initiation ceremony has had to take a rain-check, but come next weekend…with a bitta luck, and all of that… ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/26 "2010-05-14T10:29:44Z")
What is scary is that I have watched enough Australian movies that I can actually understand this thread …:eek: ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/27 "2010-05-14T10:45:44Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > What is scary is that I have watched enough Australian movies that I can actually understand this thread …:eek: Nobody apart from **penultima thule** uses ‘struth’ (sic) in real life **aruvqan**. He is an Australian Jargon Icon unto himself. 🙂 Oh, also **nick** in the context I’m using it means _condition_, as in, if something is in ‘good nick’ it is in a very good functional state for it’s age. And **bunged** , as **pentultima thule** mentioned, means _placed_, as in, if I were to bung a DVD in the player, or bung the kid into the booster seat, or to bung another chop on the BBQ. Sorry about the translation probs. I’ll bung the memo into me’ notebook so’s I don’t make the same mistake next time. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Surb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@The\_Surb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Surb)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/28 "2010-05-14T12:13:14Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > ‘Cos I was off having dinner at me’ daughter’s joint supping on a great bowl of stewp and munching spinach/fetta pasties, but thanks all the same for covering for me **pen-thule!** 😃 BTW, it’s STREWTH innit? > > Anyway, the old girl _didn’t_ get her Roadworthy/Rego today. We needed a couple of new tyres because the other ones were dinkum original from circa 1973 and although they still had plenty of tread on 'em, the rubber on the walls was somewhat _perished_ you might say. 😉 Nothing lasts forever! > > The local bloke put some newbies on, but we were lacking a spare…a 13" old HJ Holden wheel, so after much enquiry found a source in Wangaratta (yes, it is a real name for a town…I know **you** know that PT, but some of our international posters might think I’m pulling their leg!) Fifty bucks for a fucken ancient old wheel with a dodgy tyre on it, but hey…whaddya gonna do? Can’t argue price or condition with country dealers, and it’s only the spare afterall. 😛 > > My darling also needs a new braking-reservoir system, but our local fella reckons he can source the parts and have it done by Monday arvo, and apart from that, the old girl is PEACHES. > > So this weekend’s initiation ceremony has had to take a rain-check, but come next weekend…with a bitta luck, and all of that… You’re just fucking with us Americans now, aren’t you :)? ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/29 "2010-05-14T12:30:22Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Shit. I was trying ever so hard to make this a question unencumbered by regional differences, and NOW you tell me I’ve buggered it up?? 😛 > > Many thanks **China Guy**. :smack: you did fine! for someone from the Island… 🙂 lay out a big tray of kitty litter. It absorbs odors and moisture. better as a preventive though. ---
**Author:** ![dogeman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71e660/32.png) [@dogeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogeman)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/30 "2010-05-14T14:10:07Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Just to add a bit of nuance > > nick = steal, as in grab and run. An equivalent phrase in American would probably be “The van itself was a steal!” although ‘to nick’ can and commonly does mean to steal, this is not the meaning that was in the OP. The phrase ‘in good nick’ just means in good condition. According to Wiktionary it’s originally British. In other news, what the hell **do** Americans call [caravans?](http://www.geelongcaravans.com.au/?id=tradingpostlistings) EDIT: Beaten to the punch! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/31 "2010-05-14T14:34:49Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > …and daggy old upholstered cushioning for the seats and bed-mattress. Personally, I would not sleep on a forty-year-old road mattress whose history was unknown to me. Can this just be replaced? > [@rbroome](#): > > lay out a big tray of kitty litter. It absorbs odors and moisture. better as a preventive though. Note: keep your cats out of the caravan if you do this. > [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > bunged = put, but with more of a “smacked it in tight, without much care as to accuracy”. For example, you don’t bung a key into a keyhole, but you might bung a stopper into your wine bottle. But not into your bunghole, one hopes. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/32 "2010-05-14T14:41:29Z")
> [@dogeman](#): > > In other news, what the hell **do** Americans call [caravans?](http://www.geelongcaravans.com.au/?id=tradingpostlistings) As mentioned, a powered(truck/van attached) “caravan” is an RV. What you linked to is a camper. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/33 "2010-05-14T15:39:31Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Does the OP mean a (travel) trailer or an RV (recreational vehicle)? The trailer is towed behind another vehicle, while the RV is self-powered. Both can be the side of minivans, or the size of buses. > > [(Travel) trailer](http://www.google.com/images?q=travel%20trailer&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:eo:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi) > [RV](http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aeo%3Aofficial&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=RV&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=) > > They are distinct from the ‘mobile home’, which is intended to be moved to a site and then anchored. (Sometimes the anchors don’t work all that well, which is why we call them ‘tornado bait’.) Actually, any trailer or motor home is called a recreational vehicle. Trailers and motor homes are just types of RV, just like an SUV is a type of automobile. Mobile homes (which are anything but) are a different animal, since they are designed for permanent residence. They should probably more properly be called pre-fab metal homes. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/34 "2010-05-14T16:02:06Z")
Long time son of camper (caravan) owners. Open everything. All cabinets, under cushion storage, appliances, vents, hatches, windows, portholes, drains, etc. A few fans blowing around will help lift any smells and get them out the door. Take out all cushions, and beat mercilessly. Get the dust out. Let them sit in the sun for a bit, flipping once in a while. Wash them with an upholstery cleaner if you can. You may want to cover or replace, if they continue to smell. Take out the carpeting, if any, and follow cushion instructions. While all the “soft stuff” is out of the caravan, wash all the surfaces with your favorite surface cleaner. After that, you should be good. It’ll always have a bit of “Caravan” smell to it. It’s made of Caravan in the first place! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/35 "2010-05-14T18:33:15Z")
If it smells musty there’s a product here in the States called DampRid which takes the moisture out of the air, and in my experience takes the musty smell with it. It’s sort of pellets, much like cat litter (do you call it cat sand?) and as it contacts moisture in the air it sort of melts. You put it into a slotted container with a catch-basin sort of thing under it and the liquid drains down. It worked very well when we moved into a house which had stood empty for almost a year. I put some in the mustiest places (closets etc) and by the time all the pellets had melted away the smell was gone. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/36 "2010-05-14T21:30:58Z")
> [@dogeman](#): > > In other news, what the hell **do** Americans call [caravans?](http://www.geelongcaravans.com.au/?id=tradingpostlistings) Terms vary depending on whether it comes with its own propulsion or whether it has to be pulled by something, but the terms motor home, recreational vehicle, camper, and trailer are all used. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/37 "2010-05-15T01:00:01Z")
kambuckta, Hon, I love yer lingo! Adding to the pull out as much and bake in the sun advice, another technique for clearing out bad smells is to boil up a big pot of water, add lots of cinnamon sticks and cloves, cover, and let simmer down til nice and deep brown colored. Lift the cover, and place the pot in your caravan. If you don’t like the smell of cinnamon and cloves, it’s not much help, but , can get rid of musty smells. And, even in the US, [Airstream trailers](http://www.wbcci.org/) have always subscribed to the Caravan description. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/38 "2010-05-15T02:02:23Z")
I have nothing, but I’d sure relish a picture (a link to) of that caravan, **kambuckta**. Your OP somehow made me think of [this](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118064/) very good movie. 😛 Thanks, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![MsChilePepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MsChilePepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsChilePepper)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2010, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/39 "2010-05-15T08:19:10Z")
To add to all the other good advice upthread, I’d scatter some charcoal briquets around, especially in drawers and cabinets. They’ll absorb odors very well. If you can afford it, replace all the carpet, fabrics, and cushions. Ugh, and the mattress FOR SURE! Washing down all the surfaces is imperative; if you want to go cheap and non-toxic, use white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. No rinsing required. ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Luongo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chris\_Luongo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chris_Luongo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280/40 "2010-05-16T00:50:14Z")
To answer the OP’s original question, consider this: After you’ve already gone through and actually cleaned everything, call some local places that clean cars, and ask if they have an “ozone machine.” At least that’s what automotive detailers call them in the U.S. Typically they’ll close all windows and doors of the car, and leave the ozone generator inside for some length of time, sometimes even overnight. I don’t see why they couldn’t do the same thing with your trailer. Be prepared to tow it to their place, leave it there, and go back when it’s ready. Example of an ozone machine: [http://www.goestores.com/storename/detailking/ViewDept-184157.aspx](http://www.goestores.com/storename/detailking/ViewDept-184157.aspx) Professional auto detailers discussing using these machines to remove cigarette smoke: [http://www.autopia.org/forum/professional-detailer-general-discussion/52208-ozone-machine.html](http://www.autopia.org/forum/professional-detailer-general-discussion/52208-ozone-machine.html) Many people have safety concerns about these devices as well. Here is an example: > **[Ozone Machine Dangers](https://www.leaf.tv/ozone-machine-dangers.html)** > > Consumers who have experienced a fire or recently restored a house may want to get rid of the odor left over by using an ozone generator. Many ozone generator manufacturers claim that ozone is not only an effective way to remove air pollution, but... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-dispel-that-old-caravan-smell/539280.md?page=3)