File puptcrit/puptcrit.0809, message 251


From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:27:15 -0400
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] smelly hand puppets


Any harsh solvent or chemical should be avoided.

Some puppet finishes, especially some paints(including acrylics), are 
susceptible to being softened, or even attacked(future floor polish becomes 
permanently white-powedered), by alcohol.

If a puppet of mine became smelly, here are the things I'd try:


-Washing would be the safest bet, attacking te problem at the source.  I'd 
try removing any part that would fear a washing, and only wash the fabric 
and foam, in lukewarm water, with very little soap (a very gentle soap would 
be best, avoid additives such as softeners or fragrances). I would rinse a 
lot, and speed-dry it in front of a fan, making sure it's held open on  a 
stand so the air circulates within it as well.

-I would avoid dry cleaning. Not only does it leave some harsh chemicals in 
the items once they have been "cleaned", those chemiocals can attack some 
puppet building materials, such as adhesives...

-There is an old household trick for some kinds of stubborn smells (I forget 
which ones, maybe smoke or tobacco?), you just put the item in a paper bag 
with a slice of apple for a few hours, so that the apple slice will absorb 
the smell. They don't mention it, but I'd make sure the puppet is not 
touching the fruit...

-same as above, but instead of an apple slice, store the item in the bag 
with one of those "odor eaters" balls, or an industrial odor absorbent in 
dry form.

-Same as above, but with a fresh box of baking soda (will take quite a while 
to absorb the smell).

-Febreeze is a product that works for some fabrics with some smells, but 
some people will find the leftover smell offensive, to various degrees. I 
tried, didn't like.
Seems to me this product is just supposed to be an excuse to wash your 
fabric items less often.


And for prevention:
-To help prevent accumulated smells due to mildew and trapped smells, I 
store my puppets in clean cardboard boxes.

-After a performance, it's good to absorb as much sweat as possible from 
within the puppet with some super absorbent rag, and air the puppet, 
preferably in front of a fan, before storing it again.

-I prefer to build my performing hand puppets with removable inner sleeves 
and costumes.
The fittings inside the head and hands are sweatproof and removable, so the 
hard puppet parts get very little exposure to sweat.







----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Dowell" <moodooguru-AT-sbcglobal.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 9:31 PM
Subject: [Puptcrit] smelly hand puppets


I was wondering if anyone could provide a good way to go about neutralizing 
the smell of hand puppets. The puppets soak up sweat during performances and 
then they are stored in a plastic box.

Someone suggested a spray of 50% vodka /50% water -- has anyone tried this? 
Or if you have any other suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

Thanks!
Michael Dowell
Moodoo Puppets
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