My Deck's Living The Student Life Aswell!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 27 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kiama	27 Oct 2002
It was the early hours of the morning, and my room was a haze of incense, cigarette smoke, and the smell of cannabis... The wine flowed, as did vodka, Carling, and many other strange drinks... And on the floor lay many of my decks... I wasn't smoking, or getting stoned, but my friend was. And as he fell into his cannabis induced slumber, his hand knocked ove hte can of Carling, which then performed a very graceful tumble to the floor, before spilling it's contents over my beloved Robin Wood deck... The ONLY deck I read with... It was onto the radiator with the deck.... And whilst it dried nicely without bending in weird ways or peeling or getting stained, it now stinks of Carling and cannabis. It smells like most students I know! And whilst I am proud that my deck is worn and well-used and well-loved over time, it does get a bit annoying when it stinks to high heaven of beer. Anyone know how I can get this smell out? (Mind you, it's a bit like a scratch-and-sniff-Tarot now, cuz most of the social cards -9 Cup, 3 Cups, etc) smell strongly of alcohol!) Kiama

RedWood	27 Oct 2002
LoL Kiama...the only think i can thing of..is sprinkly baking soda on them..And just letting them air out..

Maan	27 Oct 2002
Its like the robin wood tarot attracts liqiud;) Mine has survived more almost tea accidents and saidly did not survive a rain accident...luckily i got a replacement ( thanks Kaz) Anyway i can't think of any good solutions..sorry...incense, sachets wit lavender, talk powder,hang it out in the wind????? good luck with your smelly deck ;)

Pollux	27 Oct 2002
I'll be receiving a Perfumed Rohrig, directly from the Queen! ;) Sudging with essential oils? At least it is almond or rosemary, and NOT ALCOHOL! *LOL* Lavender and sandalwood the less harmful maybe... And related to divination! ;)

Kaz	27 Oct 2002
i might just wear off in time. i would leave it as it is, if you can still shuffle it and read with it, no need to replace it. great deck to do pubreadings with, and make some money for a new deck. kaz

truthsayer	27 Oct 2002
i got a deck from a smoker's home once that absorbed a lot of tobacco smell. i stored it in a small box with a potpouri of dried flowers to clear the odor. it's not a fast cure but after 6 monthes the odor is gone and the cards aren't harmed in the least. while i wouldn't suggest not using the deck while it "clears", the box travels well and feels more protected than my cloth bags. i don't know if you've ever smelled an aromatic wood smell like cedar but that's a good wood to store a deck in, imho. potpouri is probably cheaper. you might be able to dry the flowers yourself instead of buying a sachet. dried roses make good sachets. i keep many of my decks in a small chest with a dried flower potpouri. since i have pets, i don't want my decks to take on that odor. that way i can hold my head high if one of those decks gets traded. i don't want ppl to be talking behind my back--"don't trade with truth! her decks smell like a wet dog! (or litter box!)" ;)

RedWood	27 Oct 2002
OMG truthsayer...My mom smokes..not me or my guy..Hmmm anyone get a deck or book from me that smelled like cig smoke? I keep all my decks covered..but not the books..SORRY! someday wheni have my own home..i wont have that problem!

truthsayer	27 Oct 2002
i don't remember getting anything from you that smelled like smoke. imo these cards were probably touched a lot or kept out in the open or used while the person was smoking. i certainly didn't imply that what i had gotten from you. i haven't seen this person around for a while. i promise you if i have a problem with something you send me i'll tell you privately. i'm not a cloak and dagger type of person. i would never intentionally hurt your feelings or embarrass you. we've done many good trades together. i believe it's you that sends things in cigar boxes. i have one you sent me right by my desk that i store decks in. those boxes don't even smell like tobacco much less smoke. the smell of unsmoked tobacco is okay if i did smell that on the cards packed in the cigar boxes. chewing tobacco is sometimes used in some shamanistic rituals so tobacco itself doesn't bother me. i grew up on a tobbacco farm so certain tobacco odors actually smell good and remind me of pleasant childhood memories. don't worry redwood. you have done no harm. i'm also sorry that what i said hurt you. i didn't know.

RedWood	27 Oct 2002
i know truthsayer that you wouldnt be mean..i was just thining..now that i am barely trading anymore..I should let people know..what if they are allergic to smoke? I would feel really bad!!

Diana	27 Oct 2002
edited

Alissa	27 Oct 2002
I used to work at the public library (for about 8 years) and god yes, books from heavy smokers' houises absorb the stench. We would just let the books air out in the sun, to rid them of the cigarette smoke smell. I have no idea what to do for beer stains. You could try going over the cards gently with a slightly damp cloth to remove any residue, but avoid re-wetting them of course. This works on baby board books like a charm to remove all manner of grape juice, candy stickies and other various and asundry baby gook from cadboard-like paper.

truthsayer	27 Oct 2002
that reminds me--a little white vinegar on a damp cloth is good with stains and odor. i must use a gallon a month cleaning house, in the wash and the dishes. that might work on the beer stain.

Mystica	27 Oct 2002
LOL!! I recommend cedar, a box, potpourri, or chips. That would be a strong aromatic scent that I think might help.

Major Tom	28 Oct 2002
Store it in a wooden box filled with dried lavender flowers.

Kiama	28 Oct 2002
Thanks guys! I can easily grab some dried lavender, since I wa resourceful in the Summer and picked and dried some mysel from my Dad's garden before I moved to wet and windy Wales. (We've been having storms and gales, and one guy died cuz of them last night...) Well, all I can say is at least my deck has some character now! LOL. Needless to say though, I've learned from my mistake, and next time my friend's high or drunk, he's staying away from my decks with alcohol! Kiama

The My Deck's Living The Student Life Aswell! thread was originally posted on 27 Oct 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.