topic Re: Plastic storage containers smell! in Home

Plastic storage containers smell!

KayinMN — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 06:45:31 GMT

Is there any thing I can put in my big storage plastic boxes to get rid of a funny Smell? I tried washing them at one time.... Any help would be appreciated...

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:15:04 GMT

Wash them with some dish detergent and after rinsing (no actual standing water inside) sprinkle baking soda all over. Do the inside of the lid too. Put the lid on the container and let them sit all day or even overnight. After several hours, or the next day, give them a good rinse, dry them, and see if it worked.

Another option would be to wash them well with dish detergent, rinse, pour in some white vinegar, cover with the lid and allow the container(s) to sit all day or overnight. Then rinse and dry. A third option would be to wash as instructed, dry everything well and stuff them with newspaper. Leave the container sit for a couple of days before checking. If the vinegar or newspaper smell bothers you, at that point you can leave the containers open for awhile and that smell should dissipate.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

Dominosmom — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 09:56:36 GMT

Try a fabric softener sheet. Drop one in and close the container.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

CelticCrafter — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 10:50:32 GMT

@Dominosmom wrote:
Try a fabric softener sheet. Drop one in and close the container.

Eeeewww.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

Mominohio — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 12:10:25 GMT

I will second @JeanLouiseFinch ideas. Those usually work if you use enough product. Be very generous. For a big storage tub, you will want as much as a whole box of baking soda or several cups of vinegar. And you may have to let the tub sit for even a couple of days if the odor is strong.

The dryer sheet idea works too, if you aren't sensitive to the smell, and can tolerate the smell on whatever you will be storing inside. But I'd choose this after trying the above. And if dryer sheets don't work for you, other things that do have a pleasant smell, like a bar of soap that has a pleasant to you smell, or a candle etc. Just remember all things in the container will then smell like whatever you are adding to cover up the smell, so be sure that won't be a problem later.

I'd first try to determine what the smell is. Is it coming from what is stored inside? Is it because the things need airing and they are what is smelling and not the containers? If it is the contents, they will just transfer the smell back once placed back inside. Is it the location causing the smell? Are you storing the containers in a damp area and the smell is because either the containers or their contents are getting damp or mildew might be forming? Are the containers in a place that is very hot? Getting plastic too hot would probably give off odors too.

As an experiment if nothing else works, try buying one new container (different brand than you already have a problem with), and filling it and storing it. See if over time, it starts to smell the same. If so, it is most likely not the containers, but the contents or the storage conditions that are causing your problem. And try to smell the new containers first. Maybe your containers came with this smell, but you just didn't notice it until they were closed up and used for awhile.

@KayinMN

edited to add: after any kind of cleaning of the tubs, it wouldn't hurt to sit them outside on a nice warm (or sometimes very cold is even better) day, in the shade for several hours. Good old fashioned 'airing out' never hurt anything.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

GSPgirl — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:23:30 GMT

I saw Martha Stewart use charcoal one time in a Rubbermaid container with moldy books in it. The charcoal took out the moldy smell. I'm wondering if charcoal would somehow eliminate the horrible plastic smell, too? I don't remember what kind of charcoal she used.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

qualitygal — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:20:49 GMT

I'd try some baking soda in them and if that doesn't work, how about dryer sheets? Maybe just open them for other air too. Just suggestions. Not sure.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

hockey mom — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:29:01 GMT

Leave it open and put it out in the sun for a few hours. I"m doing that now with a lock n lock I can't get a celery smell out of. I've done it before and it worked.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

CelticCrafter — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:37:42 GMT

@GSPgirl wrote:
I saw Martha Stewart use charcoal one time in a Rubbermaid container with moldy books in it. The charcoal took out the moldy smell. I'm wondering if charcoal would somehow eliminate the horrible plastic smell, too? I don't remember what kind of charcoal she used.

It's usually what they use for fish tanks.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

RedTop — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 18:32:55 GMT

@GSPgirl,

Charcoal briquettes (as in charcoal for grilling) work great as odor absorbers, but you just don't want them to touch anything fabric related that you are storing. I buy cheap charcoal briquettes to help absorb the odor in my basement, they are in my holiday storage boxes, and they are in the bottom of our garbage can in the garage. I change the ones in the basement twice a year, and the ones in the garbage can about every 3-4 months.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

LiveLaughLove — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 01:11:53 GMT

Charcoal or cat litter.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

chrystaltree — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 04:31:10 GMT

We had that happen with a big plastic bin. We washed with a baking soda solution and rinsed it thoroughly....the bin and the top. And then we put them out on the balcony for a couple of days. That took care of the odor.

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

KayinMN — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 06:17:51 GMT

Thanks everyone! I just tossed in a fabric sheet first tonite and will go from there!

Re: Plastic storage containers smell!

Ibby114 — Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:36:17 GMT

Wht brand containers are they? Does the cover have a silicone seal? I find that with my containers I need to remove the seal and clean it, plus clean the little groove- because funky stuff collects. I imagine that buildup of gunk could add to the smell.