Ughhh need Christmas tree help

[Horse with no Name]

I have an artificial tree--I absolutely love it.
It is a huge flocked tree and it would break my heart to part with it (okay, well partly because I have already put the monster together and it wasn't an easy task)...anyway, I digress.
It smells musty.
We had a ton of rain when we were moving...and although it was in a protected trailer, I think the box may have gotten wet moving it out.
Anyone have any ideas of getting the smell out?
I already have it set up in the house and would prefer not to have to take it down to do anything--or outside since it is 8 ft.

Thanks!

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Fabreeze

Maybe ..... :shrug:

[NMDemDist2]

2. stick a couple of bowls of white vinegar under it for a couple days

it might smell strong at first, but should clear the musty smell

[yy4me]

3. I would also suggest Fabreeze but I've been using the local

Dollar Tree clone of this product and it seems to do just as well as Fabreeze. Anyone else find this product good too?

[Warpy]

15. Bleach kills mold

So first, I'd take it outside disassembled and spray it down with a teaspoon of bleach in a quart of water. That should kill whatever is growing on it and leaving it outside and giving it a good shake before it comes back indoors will loosen and rid it of the mold spores.

Febreze it when it comes indoors to get rid of any residual smell.

Repeat the bleach process before you store it and get one of those closet anti mildew thingies to pack with it so you won't have to deal with it next year.

[sandnsea]

4. You could start with baking soda

since the tree is already flocked, it might blend right in. And then be easily shaken off and vacuumed up.

Or you could try an activated charcoal product, like they use to get rid of pet odors.

http://www.petco.com/Shop/SearchResults.aspx?Nav=1&N=0&Ntt=charcoal

[Horse with no Name]

5. Thanks for all the advice

However, nothing worked.
I ended up placing balled up scented dryer sheets hidden strategically throughout the tree. I have also placed a cinnamon broom nearby.
This will probably be the last year I use my beautiful tree...but I can't imagine the smell getting any better.:(
Here are some pictures so you can see (notice my kitty underneath):

[NMDemDist2]

6. what a beautiful tree, child, home and kitty

perhaps when you pack it away this year, but some charcoal in the NEW box and it might be better for next year eh?

[Horse with no Name]

7. Thank you.

I know we are fortunate.
I might try that--replacing the box and using charcoal. Do you think plastic or cardboard? I'm thinking maybe plastic because I can seal the charcoal in??
I purchased this tree at the Goodwill last year and it is literally my dream tree.
I'll let you know how it works next year.:)

[NMDemDist2]

8. I don't know about which kind of box, depends on where you are storing it

if it's somewhere dry, perhaps cardboard the first year so it can 'air' out for a season

then plastic for long term i would think

have a great holiday season! we're not putting up our tree til late this year when my stepmother arrives so we can share all the memories of our silly little ornaments that are all precious and filled with memories

here's our tree from last year in the new place with hubby's precious bubble lights and each ornament with a story

[Horse with no Name]

9. What a beautiful tree!

I ADORE bubble lights and wish that I could score some. My mom used to have some but she finally discarded them because she was afraid that they weren't safe anymore.
I collect Santa Claus's (as if you couldn't tell) and each tells a story as well.
I love hanging the ornaments because of the memories of the times spent with the friends and family that add to my collection every year.
I also have the ornaments that the kids made me at school through the years.
I have to share a story. I was in Home Ec and HATED it. I paid one of the other girls to do my project for me. It was a patchwork stuffed star ornament. I gave it to my mother when I was in 7th grade for Christmas and it has adorned the tree for years,lol.
I FINALLY told her a couple of years ago that I didn't REALLY make it and after she was done laughing she asked why I didn't tell her sooner. It really was an UGLY star, and it hasn't been missed.:D
Fun times!
Have a lovely season and have a wonderful time decorating your tree when your stepmother arrives.

[NMDemDist2]

10. ROFL great story! She should have kept it just for the joke factor

we threaten every year to get a new tree, but we bought this our first year together and every year we pull it out and say "Oh, it's OK for one more year"

:rofl:

this will be it's 16th year :blush:

[Longhorn]

14. You can get a plastic zipper bag with handles made especially

for storing Christmas trees. We got one at Home Depot, I think, but I'm sure other stores carry them. They're not very expensive but are pretty sturdy.

Your tree is beautiful!

[sandnsea]

11. Oh that is just gorgeous!!

I can see why you're trying to save it. I think I see an outlet right by the tree, how about one of those glade oil plug in thingies, pine scented?

I was thinking about collecting old artificial trees and using them to decorate my yard. I could do bunches of different themes, just by collecting odds and ends ornaments at yard sales. If you really can't get the smell out, maybe there's a place outside where it would look pretty.

[Horse with no Name]

12. Thank you!

It is the tree I always wanted so I was extremely happy to see it at the Goodwill!
I can't point to anything in my house that I have purchased new,lol.
I like the idea of the Glade oil thing.
I hadn't thought about that.
The dryer sheets lose their scent in a few days so that would definitely be a better alternative.
Thanks!
The outdoor tree thing sounds pretty--I'd like to see pics when you do it!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!

[sandnsea]

13. I'm exactly the same

I don't think new things have the character of yard sale finds anyway.

So I was out front telling my daughter about my idea, and she got this weird look on her face and starts describing a Land of the Broken Trees, with droopy trees and missing limbs and dull ornaments... we got to laughing so hard, the neighbors must have thought we were nuts. I said we could have our Santa that always falls face down, with his arm waving in the dirt, I've sworn I was going to throw wine bottles around him and leave him there. Then I could get some broken toys too, and our yard could be where Christmas goes to die. lol. So I will have to be careful on what trees I find, cuz I really don't want that.

Tomorrow I'm going to go pick up two pink/red rose wreaths, a lamp shade, and make a tree for the dining room corner. I saw them Saturday at the second hand Christmas Shop and couldn't think of anything to do with them, then got the tree brainstrom today. I hope they're still there. I'll definitely take a pic if I get it done.

I love holidays.