Urgent and random non boaty help required

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nickfabbri

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Despite my frequent and random questions about different aspects of seamanship, I have a real problem which has little to do with boats but requires some attention.

To pass the time while solo sailing, I play the 5 string banjo. Every week I put the banjo in the car, drive it down to the boat and load it up with all the other supplies.

This week I found out that our kitten has taken a dump inside my banjo case. Not so bad you say? Just wash the case. The problem is that I found this out after driving 50 miles with the banjo in the case.

So on opening my case I found my beloved instrument caked, and I mean really caked in cat sh*t.

Thus two and a half hours on Friday afternoon was spend cursing the cat and cleaning the banjo with everything I had on the boat.

And so it is clean. Perfectly clean. The problem is, it still smells of cat sh*t. I have tried almost everything I can imagine: bleach, soapy water, vinegar, polish, baking powder and finally aftershave. The result; my banjo now smells of cat sh*t and aftershave.

I can't scrub it as it is the woodwork on the case and it will damage it. Similarly, I can't boil it or heat it for the same reasons.

Please help.Any suggestions?
 
nickfabbri said:
Despite my frequent and random questions about different aspects of seamanship, I have a real problem which has little to do with boats but requires some attention.

To pass the time while solo sailing, I play the 5 string banjo. Every week I put the banjo in the car, drive it down to the boat and load it up with all the other supplies.

This week I found out that our kitten has taken a dump inside my banjo case. Not so bad you say? Just wash the case. The problem is that I found this out after driving 50 miles with the banjo in the case.

So on opening my case I found my beloved instrument caked, and I mean really caked in cat sh*t.

Thus two and a half hours on Friday afternoon was spend cursing the cat and cleaning the banjo with everything I had on the boat.

And so it is clean. Perfectly clean. The problem is, it still smells of cat sh*t. I have tried almost everything I can imagine: bleach, soapy water, vinegar, polish, baking powder and finally aftershave. The result; my banjo now smells of cat sh*t and aftershave.

I can't scrub it as it is the woodwork on the case and it will damage it. Similarly, I can't boil it or heat it for the same reasons.

Please help.Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Kill the cat first, then, oh I see youve used it, bicarb usually neutralizes smells. Time and fresh air? Plus more bicarb.
Stu
 
As things can't really get any worse, this may be worth a try. Cut an onion in half and place both halves in the Banjo casing and cover with a towel or similar. Leave for 24 hours, then bin the onion. I'm told (never tried it) that the onion will absorb all other smells and the onions own smell will clear a lot quicker when later exposed to fresh air than that left by Moggie. Failing all else it's worth a try.:)
 
Downsman said:
As things can't really get any worse, this may be worth a try. Cut an onion in half and place both halves in the Banjo casing and cover with a towel or similar. Leave for 24 hours, then bin the onion. I'm told (never tried it) that the onion will absorb all other smells and the onions own smell will clear a lot quicker when later exposed to fresh air than that left by Moggie. Failing all else it's worth a try.:)
Click to expand...

Or better still...leave for 24 hours then bin the banjo.
 
You could try a Milton tablet or liquid, 1 tab should be enough dissolved in water, or a small teaspoonful of liquid. The remainder can go in the ships watertanks to freshen and sterilise their contents, flush tanks after 30 mins and refill with fresh; no taste or smell and sterilised, but I'd still use water from a container for drinking/tea.

ianat182
 
What you need is an enzyme based pet odour remover. They will break down the cause of the smell. Most things only mask it.

Google will find a selection.

Brendan is the expert for some reason!
 
prv said:
Don't wait 24 hours; bin the cat.

Pete
Click to expand...

puppy.gif


'sright..good idea..:D
 
Don't know why I remember this, but an American aunt told me that the only thing that can remove skunk spray smell was tomato juice [to-may-to juice she said].
Might work for cat ****.
Feline faeces, is that more acceptable?
 
ive now added a poultice of bicarb applied to the offending area as well as febreze and a hard wax for polishing tables. I'm off to find the toilet duck as It still smells of sh*t.

The cat is a little odd ( see pic below) and still a kitten so I guess that is why he decided to **** in the case.
 
nickfabbri said:
ive now added a poultice of bicarb applied to the offending area as well as febreze and a hard wax for polishing tables. I'm off to find the toilet duck as It still smells of sh*t.

The cat is a little odd ( see pic below) and still a kitten so I guess that is why he decided to **** in the case.
Click to expand...

Probably because my flower bed wasn't conveniently close!
 
Try and find an air freshener called Oust. We use it when the animals have had , errrm, "accidents" on the carpets and it sure does the job of removing the niff.
 
you have my sympathy........i actually play guitar and rather than take my prized Martin D35 on the boat I have a cheapie acoustic that I don't mind the damp getting to or falling on the floor when the boat heels.

assuming you don't have scruggs pegs or anything super complicated, why not get a cheapie banjo for boat trips?

I've never found the seals or the seagulls that discerning that the Martin was needed

on the smell, maybe you just need to leave it in the open air for an extended period........daylight and fresh air work wonders
 
VicS said:
What you need is an enzyme based pet odour remover. They will break down the cause of the smell. Most things only mask it.

Google will find a selection.

Brendan is the expert for some reason!
Click to expand...

Yep, you need this stuff
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=329&pf_id=56717
You can buy it in most pet supermarkets - they do a version for hardwood floors which sounds like it would be ideal for your, but I've never tried that version. It won't work instantly, it takes a couple of days for the bacteria to break down the organic molecules creating the smell. Probably a good idea to wash off everything you've used so far, as the bleach etc will stop it taking effect.

Vic - my prof was into enzyme and bacterial breakdown of contaminants when I did my PhD, and when this stuff came out, I thought it might have more general uses for removing diesel smells from fabrics, and cleaning bilges, and indeed, it works well for a variety of these things, as long as the contaminant is organic in nature.
 
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