Toy Care: Removing Bad Smells (Wall of Text)

[ITdactyl]

'Wanted to start this thread so members (who've had pertinent experience) can share their techniques for removing bad odors from toys (without causing damage like color fading or paint chipping).

The story:  A friend started a toy donation drive so we can give "pre-loved" toys for Christmas to less fortunate kids.  After the collection and sorting period, we found that some toys cannot be given away, so these were "auctioned" off to increase the charity's funds.  I was able to get a few dinos, and a couple of Transformers.  I found that they were discarded/sorted out because they had a lot of chew/bite marks and smelled heavily of certain 'botanicals' .  I've attempted washing them with dish washing detergent, but the smell lingers.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, and I hope this helps the community as well.

[Joey]

'Wanted to start this thread so members (who've had pertinent experience) can share their techniques for removing bad odors from toys (without causing damage like color fading or paint chipping).

The story:  A friend started a toy donation drive so we can give "pre-loved" toys for Christmas to less fortunate kids.  After the collection and sorting period, we found that some toys cannot be given away, so these were "auctioned" off to increase the charity's funds.  I was able to get a few dinos, and a couple of Transformers.  I found that they were discarded/sorted out because they had a lot of chew/bite marks and smelled heavily of certain 'botanicals' .  I've attempted washing them with dish washing detergent, but the smell lingers.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, and I hope this helps the community as well.

"Certain 'botanicals'" I think I laughed too much at that...
Anyway...There is a video on Youtube of Matthew Brando talking about this issue in regards to JP figures but, I don't know if the same tips and tricks can be applied to PVC figures.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpZhUHLGbcg

[ITdactyl]

Thanks for the video lead @Joey.  I'm hunting for some of the products mentioned in the video (or near matches).  I've mentioned I've already washed the toys with lemon scented dish cleaners and warm water. 

I tried lemon scented lysol wipes, but now they just smell like a skunk that took a bath in lemon scented lysol.  The mixing of the scents make it even more unpleasant.

I won't give up though - I hope to get rid of the odor without causing too much fading (or rusting of the screws).

oh yeah, I did say "botanicals"... P.C. by force of habit.   It's the only thing I know that (somewhat) smells like skunk.