My portable smells like a wet dog. Suggestions?

[Chode2235]

Its not actually that bad, but I do notice a musty oder in my portable. It is likely due to my breathing, the heater, or it just being wet out on the lake.

In response I have set up the portable in the garage to dry it out, and would ideally want to bring it down in the basement where it is warm but the better half has given a resounding no to that idea.

What do you all do to get rid of the smell, or to keep your portable from smelling?

[Scott M]

If its that bad, I'd dry it out and leave a box of baking soda in it. Might also try stuffing a few dryer sheets in it to keep it a little fresher.

[CNY Tim]

Those little pine air freshener trees work well. Same as the auto...

[Lisa Almquist]

If your looking to actually CLEAN it, there was a post about cleaning out the smelly mouse droppings in your portable a couple months ago. That guy's advice was to buy some Odoban. It works pretty good and you might want to spray some of it on your canvas, wait a bit, and then wipe it off.

[IFallsRon]

Put a cup of fresh coffee grounds in a couple lunch sacks and leave them inside. That's an old trick for taking the smell out of a closed up fridge. You may have to wait until spring so you can hose it down outside.

[Sandmannd]

Don't let your dog in the portable if he's wet!!

Kidding, I would do the coffee ground thing.

[mamohr686]

My guess if it is a canvas portable, your in the early stages of mildew. You can get mildew remover in a spray. Set up the the ice house and let it dry out, and spray it good. If it keeps getting worse you'll end up buying new canvas.

[CALVINIST]

Get a couple of quality cigars, grab a buddy, and smoke up! That raunchy smell will likely disappear

[moose_bay_traders]

When you get ready to put the auger away for the season pour the old gas on the canvas portion of the house. I would then strike a match to it and tell my wife that the heater burned it down and you nearly escaped death. She will be happy that you are alive and will suggest that you buy a new house. You will get to buy a new house and enjoy that new house smell next year.

[jwhjr]

 Originally Posted By: moose_bay_traders

When you get ready to put the auger away for the season pour the old gas on the canvas portion of the house. I would then strike a match to it and tell my wife that the heater burned it down and you nearly escaped death. She will be happy that you are alive and will suggest that you buy a new house. You will get to buy a new house and enjoy that new house smell next year.

[Steve Foss]

 Originally Posted By: moose_bay_traders

When you get ready to put the auger away for the season pour the old gas on the canvas portion of the house. I would then strike a match to it and tell my wife that the heater burned it down and you nearly escaped death. She will be happy that you are alive and will suggest that you buy a new house. You will get to buy a new house and enjoy that new house smell next year.

Now that's just plain funny!

I second the advice on mildew remover. When you're finished with that, spray the heck out of it with Febreze and let it dry back out. You'll that very strong perfumy odor until it's dry and then all you'll get for odor is a bit of air freshener type smell after that.

That's what I did with my old Trap II, which was regular canvas. I had it for 11 years and was able to keep it fresh that way.

[Neighbor_guy]

I like the dryer sheats myself.

[toughguy]

Ahhhhhh there's nothing like that new house smell is there?

[MnSportsman]

A cheap way that might help is to put some charcoal briquets in it when ya put it away for the next time, or during no-ice times. Charcoal is cheap & it removes the odors. If it is a mildew trouble, you can take it out in the sun next spring & turn the fabric inside out, clean it as recemmended before & let it sun dry.

Good Luck.

[sjburnt]

.

[moose_bay_traders]

I think you are on to something there. You should try and figure out a way to bottle that smell. I am sure it has to be some kind of aphrodisiac. I know I couldn’t resist the smell of coffee and fish especially in the morning,

[sjburnt]

.

[reelemin]

if you've done any modifications to it, using wood or carpet, that is where your smell is. Get rid of that. Wood and carpet will always hold mold and mildew if not allowed to dry completly frequently, thats why nothing goes in my porable that can't be taken out to dry and clean!!!

If no mods, take everthing out clean and dry it, good!!!. scrub the tub and clean the tent part with a mildew remover. And try to dry things out often throughout the season and completely befor storing for the summer!!!!!

[jwhjr]

I haven't had any issues with wet smell yet, but I try to set it up in my garage after every use to dry it out.