Recently purchased a 50 year old house.  The basement stairs were
carpeted and very smelly.  Removed the carpet from the tread and riser
and found about an 1/8th inch black rubber backing.  Able to remove
most of the rubber backing.  The stairs still have a strong rubber
smell.  Planning to put vinyl tiles on the stairs.  The contractor
states that he will encapsulate the stairs which will eliminate the
smell.  I don't believe it will get rid of all the smell.  Considered
sanding the stairs but my wife does not want the sanding dust. 
Without replacing the stairs, how do I completely eliminate the rubber
smell?

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Request for Question Clarification by googleexpert-ga on 09 Sep 2004 22:07 PDT

what have you used to clean the stairs?

Have you tried Baking Sode to deodorize and possibly clean the stairs?

Sand the Stairs.  Buy a belt sander with a dust bag and also buy a
vacuum cleaner.  The Vacuum cleaner is the type you would get at Home
Depot.  It's something you would use in the garage.  Take the belt
sander and remove the dust bag. Tape the vacuum cleaner hose to the
belt sanders dust bag output nozzle (the place where the dust bag was
connected).  And sand away!   If wife complains, have her sand
it...... Well, maybe not..

Good luck with Wife...