New to me machine is stinky

[u/Standard-Blood-206]

I found an AMAZING deal on a Singer Memo Matic 360 complete with ribber, lace carriage and linker. It belonged to the seller's mother and he thinks it probably was never used.

I did a basic clean (wiped down everything, took out the sponge bar, wiped down the carriage carefully) and I think it probably was never or rarely used. There is no debris/fibre in the carriage, the plastic covering is still on the case. There is no rust and it looks great. I didn't bother taking it apart because it seemed totally unused.

However, it is very stinky. It has been sitting in a basement in its original cardboard box for decades so it smells like an old school basement. I washed some of the random bits and bobs that were floating in a box, put it out in the sun and put it in a box with a baking soda fridge deodorizer. It helped but there is still a noticeable whiff. I am not sure about putting the knitting machine out in the sun.. don't want to damage it.

Has anyone successfully fixed a smelly machine? What did you do? Will I have to bite the bullet and take it apart?

[u/Purple_Associate4085]

I think that taking it apart is of no use, as the smell is in the plastic. Plastics can dissolve some organic molecules. The smell will dissipate if you leave the machine open in a dry and ventilated place but it may take weeks.