Steam clean Scheel seats?

NilsH

NilsH

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Hi all!

I have an old Scheel seat that is a little bit dirty but mostly it stinks from cigarette smoke.
Is it wise to steam clean it to freshen it up? I mean, that 40 year old sponge and cloth may get ruined.

Thanks for your input!
 
I'd be cautious with steam cleaning. The sponge which is stuck under the cloth can disintegrate and or get mildew. Aparently open pack of coffee can remove odors like cigarette smoke etc. A bowl of coffee powder and a plastic sack to cover the seat could possibly help to get rid of such smells. The net offers many such 'house wife' methods without reverting to more drastic methods.
Keshav
 
Baking soda sprinkled on it and left for a few days... then vacuum it up. You can also make a couple baking soda bags with coffee filters and then use them under seats too. I've used this in a vintage airstream that was heavily smoked in by the POs.
 
NilsH said:
Thanks for the input. If it doesn't work, at least it smells from coffee :)

But what about an ozone generator? I see them at Amazon for 40-50$. Has anyone had success with them? According to the reviews at Amazon they work, but according to EPA (www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners) they both doesn't work and can be a health issue.
Click to expand...

I have a small tool designed for shoes or boots that produces UV light and some ozone from two bulbs. It does work to reduce odors but is limited in it's power, as designed, since it's for the inside of shoes. But I've used it to clean up a theodolite that smelled very musty with good results. I loaned it to a fellow member to help out with a coupe that had sat for years and had under-dash odor issues. The bulbs are perfect for putting down vents and tight spaces.

If they produce ozone, generators should work to reduce odors, eventually. I'd bag the seats to concentrate the ozone. However, realize that the reactive ozone will also tend to damage the rubber and cloth of the seat, so you should err on the side of caution and try to circulate the air inside the bag to get even coverage. And yeah, ozone isn't good for you, or organic things around you.

I recently bought some vintage license plates that reeked of mold and mildew. I simply left them in the sun and 100 degree temps we have been having for a month. Problem solved.
 
I'd give Febreze a go in the first instance to get rid of the odour.
You can pick up a hand held steamer cheaply enough to give the fabric a light stream to budge the dirt from a fabric - then wipe off with a clean cloth. If the foam is stable enough to be sat on it shouldn't have any problem handling the steam.
 
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