How remove odor from interconnect?

@winoguy17 

Feels like Im missing something here..... how much could a pair of cables possibly smell ....?

Unlikely as it sounds, this is unfortunately a real thing that happened to me (with Cardas cables, like the OP's experience) not too long ago.  The odor was definitively repulsive when I was close enough to the cables to connect them to my equipment.  I have smelled similar odors on a couple of different used components I purchased over the years but never to the level of what I smelled on these recently purchased cables.  I assumed the seller was a prolific user of cologne.  Who knows, maybe he wore them around his neck to a rave?  It it wasn't until I read this thread that I entertained the notion that somebody may have (purposely?) sprinkled stink on the cables.  What type of weirdo would odorize their cables?!? Maybe trying to hide smoker smell?

To the OP - the good news is that the odor on the cables I received has become much less over the course of a month or two, so hang in there.  I didn't wash them, soak them, cook them, or bury them - just let them air out without getting too close.  You might try hanging them outside on a nice breezy day.

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where a valet brings Jerry’s car to him and it reeks of BO. he tried everything to get rid of the smell but it won’t go away😂

Maybe that spray product that removes the foul odor when pets soil the carpet? Just a thought. 

All the best,
Nonoise

I'm giving @viridian 's vinegar suggestion a go.  I remember years ago when I had rental properties that a previous tenant's hallway had a strong urine odor.  I read that treating the area with a solution of baking soda and then later treating the same area with a solution of vinegar neutralized the smell, and it worked.  I also appreciate @mitch2 's same experience, maybe we purchased from the same seller.  If vinegar doesn't fix it, I'll just hang them outside or in the garage and check on them occasionally.

Thanks for everyone's comments!