Help with silicone please

[Gina King]

Hi Ladies can anybody help me with my dilemma. I recently bought a silicone doll on the secondary market with the intention of repainting her to keep for myself as she's lovely but needs a total makeover. Most of her previous paint has peeled off anyway which makes my job a bit easier but my problem is that the previous owner had stored the doll in her garage for some time (which I was unaware of until after I bought her) and she has a bad smell of damp to her. The lady did give me a small refund when I complained about the smell but I wanted to keep her for myself and hoped that I could sort out the problem.
I have taken her apart and thrown away the body and washed the silicone but it still smells of damp. I've also tried sitting the parts in bicarbonate of soda (dry) overnight and then washing again but that didn't remove it. Anybody got any ideas on how to deodorise this baby ? I think she's platinum and her silicone is generally in good condition. She will be lovely after her makeover if I can remove the odour of damp first.
Any suggestions appreciated................Thanks in advance.
Gina UK

[cookielover]

Wish I knew the answer. I was recently interested in buying a full body silicone Peep -- but the seller said it had been stored in a home where there was a smoker and so she was probably going to throw it away Anyway.... I was surprised that silicone picked up smells --- and now you are saying that yes that is the way it is. I sure hope you find an answer. Ruth

[nanaslilblossoms]

I've not had that problem but if it can pick up odors then perhaps wrapping the limbs and head with a Bounce dryer sheet might help. There is even some in 'powder' fragrance. Or you could try a strong solution of fabric softener. Soak for a day and see if it's better. I don't suppose it would hurt.
I would also try plain corn starch on the limbs or baby powder that has cornstarch in it. Both are great for silicone. (not baby powder with talcum)

Best of luck,
Nancy J.

[karenwhitmore]

Yes. Sit them in the sun. Literally. Put them out in the sun for a day or two...or however long it takes. I've learned via feminine medical grade silicone products to sun them in order to remove odor.

[Gina King]

Thanks for all your suggestions ladies. Unfortunately I won't be able to try the "sun" method until later in the year as we don't see much in the UK at this time of year but I will try out all the other tips too and let you know if I have any success while I'm praying for the sun to come out!
Many thanks.
Gina x

[Denise O]

You can also give it a good soak in some dawn dish soap... just the plain blue dawn and then put the doll or pieces in a bag with a small cup of baking soda. It should absorb up all the odors.

[mandyuk]

I'm not sure how true it is but I've heard kitty litter absorbs smells. Maybe put her parts in a bucket with a kid with some for a while.