Many times when a vintage camper sits for some time, it will get a 'smell' inside.  This can be from various sources, like water damage(musky smell), rodent nests or droppings or dead rodents, smoker build up on walls, and other smells.  This can be a frustrating job trying to get rid of the smell.

Sometimes the smell might be in the curtains, cushions and or the material covering them.  In this case, you can try cleaning/washing them and airing them out to see if it works.  Depending on the condition of the curtains, cushions or material, it may be better to just replace the material or the cushions.  Of course, if cleaning them, airing them out and other methods tried do not work, then you will need to replace them.

Others smells may not be as easy  as just replacing the cushions, material or curtains.  A lot of members have brought this issue up and have offered various solutions to getting the smell out.  Here are some ideas that may help you get rid of the smell in your vintage camper. You can try an appropriate solution below and see if it works for you.  If, you have an idea, solution or product not listed, please EMAIL ME so I can add it here.  Thanks....

• Sometimes the camper just needs to be aired out and a good cleaning from sitting.  Remove and clean the cushions and then clean the camper.  Some have used a bleach/water solution in a spray bottle to spray the walls, cabinets and then clean.  Air out and if the camper smells good then you may want a fresh coat of paint, which I have heard can seal the wood and keep any further smells from coming out.  Jeannie mention "a paint called ‘’KILZ” that comes in a paint can or spray one. It hides and seals for water leaks on your ceiling, so why wouldn't this work as the final step after cleaning."
  
  
• Now, if the smell seems to just be in the camper, like maybe the walls, etc. then a good cleaning is in order.  Members have recommended using a 20% bleach and 80% water solution in a spray bottle.  Spray and clean the walls, cabinets, etc.  Let it air out and dry.  If, the smell is gone----good and you might want to consider a fresh coat of paint.  If not, then repeat and if after trying several times and the smell persists, then another solution like a "BOMB" used inside may work?  I am trying to get more info on this and I will post it when I do.  You might want to try: letting the camper air out for an extended period of time, use some BOUNCE dryer sheets inside and other air cleansing items for a period of time and see what happens. If after trying many times and the smell persists, then the smell may just be in the wood so bad that replacing is the only solution?
  
  
• Use a trap or other device to catch the rodents that may be causing the smell or leaving smelly droppings behind.  Hopefully you will be able to remove the dead rodents and they don't get into an area you can't get to.  Once you catch the rodents and clean up the droppings, you will need to find where they are getting in and fix the problem.  This may be easier said than done because an open door can let many things into the camper.  But, if you have an opening that needs fixed or a torn or missing screen and leave a window open, you can fix these items and hopefully keep rodents out. If you have some small openings like where gas lines or drains lines enter/exit, you can stuff steel wool in them and mice will not chew threw it. Once you get this problem corrected and the camper seems to smell ok, you might want to put a few BOUNCE dryer sheets inside the camper to keep a nice smell. Several members have suggested this and say it must be BOUNCE brand. I have heard that spraying a good bug spray around the perimeter of the camper when it is parked can help keep ants and other pest away?  I have never tried it, but for a few bucks couldn't hurt. 
  
  
• Some things members have used to help clean their camper, like:  soapy water, bleach/water solution(20% bleach--80% water), Scrubbin Bubbles, a good cleanser(non abrasive) like Dutch cleanser and others.


• Some things members have used in their camper to help keep out smells, rodents and moisture: BOUNCE dryer sheets, charcoal, kitty litter and a drop or two of vanilla in a cooler helps keep it from getting odors, so may work in a camper, say a few drops on a plate? Morris wrote this was used: "Since I was able to keep the electric plugged in during the winter, I used one of the electronic repellents plus the wafer type oatmeal bait found at most feed stores.  Mice will chew on it and then take off for water.  If camper is good and dry, that means they leave out.  It's worked pretty good for me.  From Mike and Jan: "My wife and I have used white apple cider vinegar in an open cup to get rid of musty smells in cars, vintage air streams and our "66" 15' Scotty Gaucho, of course if you don't like the smell of vinegar-I would try the kitty litter or charcoal in a bag which we also have used. To us the vinegar worked the best."
  
  
• This is just a thought I had: wonder what burning some incense would do for smells in a camper?  I'm a non smoker and I know when I go into peoples apts, cars, etc that are smokers I can smell the smoke and even see the yellowish on the walls if they are big smokers.  I know people burn incense to get a good smell and mask other smells, so would this help in a camper?  I thought if you had tried everything else and it didn't get all the smell out of your camper this might help?  I thought it might just mask the smell while you were burning the incense, but I wonder if you did it over a period of time if it would penetrate like other smoke/smells and help get rid of the smell?  So, I have never tried this but if some one does, let me know the results.


• This is from Ken (adk) -  Smoothtop Range glass top cleaner - shines porcelain magnificently or any glass. Also a pretty good plastic polish if watered down and you don't press too hard.  This was also posted by Ken as tips for Vinegar Based Aluminum Cleaner.
  
  
• This is from Corolene :  When all else fails (or you can try this first), I have had great success with ODO-BAN -- which is sold with janitorial supplies at Sam's Club and on the cleaning supply aisle at Wal-Mart. It even works on cat urine (and vomit in the car).  Don't ask me how I know this unless you want the gritty details.    cleancontrol.com

This is a start of ideas that may help get a bad smell out of your camper, obviously there may be more ideas and or cleaners/products that you could use.  So, as I mentioned above, please email me any ideas, products that you have used or know of that might work and I will add them here.