Gun safe odor

[nmkid]

Well, my safe has a very strong odor inside. It smells rotten. I have emptied the safe and checked for a small dead animal. I can't pick out a certain area, it's the entire interior. My wife suggested a couple of boxes of baking soda. Any ideas?

 

[JRS]

Depending upon where it is located, humidity/moisture could be the culprit. You might have mold behind the panels.

Are you storing anything perishable in the safe?

 

[jonbearman]

Could it be uder the safe and just smelling like it is in the safe.

 

[LHSmith]

All safes built in China stink. i believe it is the low grade (lowest of the low) carpet material or adhesive they use. I took some shelves out 2 years ago and the shelves still smell.

 

[dtucker]

Sprinkle some of your wifes perfume in their that you like the best.

 

[SDDasher]

Hoppes No 9 ! Nothing beats that smell.....😍

 

[bheadboy]

if it is moisture in the carpet inside, you have mold, the only way to get ride of it is to strip the carpet out, scrub the inside with a high Clorox solution, mold killer solution etc. then if the smell is gone reline it and get a dehumidify rod for the safe, most have a way to plug it into 110 outside the safe and it keeps the humidity down.

Bob

 

[people]

A friend of mine pulled out his liner and there was mold in his.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id bet its something from china designed to slowly kill us.

 

[JRS]

Id bet its something from china designed to slowly kill us.

Could be some kimchi spilled during manufacturing ;D

 

[hogpatrol]

Dead mouse? They can squeeze through some awfully small openings.

 

[dickn52]

Simple Green removes every odor on the planet I think.

 

[JRS]

Simple Green removes every odor on the planet I think.

It might well do that, but, it won't remove what is causing the smell.

 

[JohnHenry]

If the odor is caused by a mold issue, you may be able to kill the mold with heat. A little googling indicates that depending on the species, 125-150 degrees F for 30 minutes will kill some species. Don't know how hot one can get a closed empty safe with an electric heater. Be careful.

http://www.thermapure.com/environmental-services/mold/

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Do you happen to have money in there, as in US folding currency?

Cash is nice to have but it does have a foul odor.

Dave,
Just send that stuff over here to me. I will be glad to take care of that type of smell for you.

 

[bheadboy]

being in the dry cleaning business we see mold here in Fl all the time,

1st you can not get the best chemicals for your use, HOWEVER-- do the following

get the carpet out!!! leave the door open for 12-24 hours, then go to Lowes or Homedepot and get a jug of the professional Clorox, be sure it does not have any detergent in it, it is the one they use to pressure wash walks, etc.
also buy a small jug of JOMax,

in a sprayer, mix 1/3 clorax, 2/3 water and a half cup of JoMax

spray the inside of the safe, door, hinges, top and bottom inside, let is sit 5-10 minutes, rinse out thoroughly, then dry with a towel, and fan for 24 hours to be sure it is dry, then

take a can of spray lub, anti rust oil and wipe the inside down Krol will do

if you are in a high humidity area, do not install new carpet, it collects moisture. install new shelving without the old covering, pad where necessary for protection of barrels, etc.

if your safe has the outlet - purchase a dehumidifier rod and install it.

Bob



next

 

[savagedasher]

I would listen to your wife. ;D ;D ;D Most refrigerators are done that way. Larry

 

[bheadboy]

Wife aside, baking soda only absorbs the smell, it does nothing to get rid of the mold/mildew

don't waste you time - let it go long enough and you will soon see mold on your stocks, then other items in the safe.

Bob

 

[savagedasher]

Wife aside, baking soda only absorbs the smell, it does nothing to get rid of the mold/mildew

don't waste you time - let it go long enough and you will soon see mold on your stocks, then other items in the safe.

Bob

Have we determined it is mold? Larry

 

[nmkid]

Sorry for not answering sooner. Summer company already! Anyway, Thinking back...The safe has had the funny odor since it was new. Hasn't gotten worse/better. As a matter of fact I do keep some cash in it and silver coins. But, like I said it's been the same since new. If I have time tomorrow I think I'll strip some of the carpeting and see if I find anything behind it. Maybe I'll get a closer whiff of the glue. We do have a lot of humidity here but, I have 3 cans of silica gel desiccant in the safe. I was only using one until I noticed some rust starting to build on one of my rifles. Not no more. The more I think about it...You guys may be on to something, on the carpet.