<p>I ordered a used SAT book online and when I opened the book it smelled really bad. As in, it reeks as if someone poured a bottle of cheap perfume all over it. Thus, every time I open it the smell permeates from the spine. It’s so revolting! I need to study from this book but every time I open the book to read it stinks so bad it’s like a punch in the face. I can’t return it because then it’d take up too much time, or buy a new copy. Any suggestions on how I can get this smell out?</p>
<p>Uh, wow, talk about taking the practice tests… haha.</p>
<p>You can use window cleaners (like Mr. Muscle) and they won’t damage the book. I’ve also heard that you can seal it in a bag and put it in carbonated soda, but I don’t know how that helps.</p>
<p>Other suggestions: unscented kitty litter, charcoal, coffee
cloves, lysol, woodruff, baking soda, white vinegar, cedar chips (put the book and one of these items in a closed container, like an ice cream pail, but don’t touch them together).</p>
<p>put it in the freezer, the smell should go away. try it for one night…tell me tomorrow when it works!</p>
<p>I think the perfume was to cover up another smell. :O</p>
<p>or leave it out in the sun for a while…UV rays neutralize odor.</p>
<p>try doing something to yourself rather than harassing or raping the book. …breathe through your mouth…and pinch your nose with like a clothespin… lol.</p>
<p>last time i checked, putting paper in the freezer didnt “harass” or “rape” it</p>
<p>hmm… it could actually be a really good studying idea… this way when you take the test the perfume on the person next to you won’t be a distraction.</p>
<p>Wrap it in newspaper overnight.</p>
<p>Newspaper? Doesn’t that have a musty smell?</p>
<p>
We don’t want to be harassing OURSELVES, now, do we? ;)</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I think I’m going to leave it in the freezer first, or maybe leave it outside (although the smell is kinda sickly sweetish so it might attract bugs).</p>
<p>ok . . . change of plans . . . my mom got a mild shock when she found it in the freezer and I got repriminded a little bit, and I had to defrost it in the microwave to thaw it out, so now it’s outside sitting on the porch. Maybe the 100 degree weather will help get rid of the smell.</p>
<p>you had to defrost your text book? i put books in the freezer for the same reason and they just get really cold.</p>
<p>i don’t recommend putting paper in the microwave.</p>
<p>Just make the rest of your house smell like garbage, and then the book will smell better, relatively.</p>
<p>heh, the book was covered in a thin layer of icy moisture and was all stiff like a block of wood. it could be that my freezer is adjusted at a lower temperature. I defrosted it because I was afraid animals would come near it once I put it outside since it would be all cold and it’s really hot outside.</p>
<p>It doesn’t smell like dollar store candles as much as it used to, but it still has a very distinct aroma to it. I’m checking on it every hour because the birds on the roof might crap on it, but it’s starting to have that sun smell.</p>
<p>lol this reminds me of that college board mis-scoring controversy…they said the problem was caused by excess moisture in answer sheets 
they probably didn’t leave them out in the sun long enough…</p>
<p>the book was actually kinda moist and sticky when it came in the mail. this is the most bizarre used book experience I’ve ever had. The seller even had his website printed on the envelope and when I visited the site it was a religious goods store :S.</p>
<p>This will prepare you for that proctor with sticky hands who licks their thumb before pulling your test sheet out of the stack, and the smelly people you’ll be taking the test with. Remember to have someone tapping on a nearby desk randomly, or twiddling their pencil so you can see it in your peripheral vision while you take the practice test. You might want to sit next to a sick person who coughs a lot and tries to look at your answer sheet too. Also keep in mind that this is the most important thing you’ll ever do, ever. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared.</p>
<p>lol . . . proctors and sticky hands and heavy perfume aren’t that common, are they?</p>
<p>This is one of the most humorous threads I’ve read.</p>