The Original CZ Forum
GENERAL => General Discussion => Topic started by: timetofly on November 27, 2022, 02:34:55 PM
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I’ve been noticing an odor coming from my gun safe. I’ve been good about cleaning the guns after using them, but I can’t seem to get rid of the odor. I’ve thought about stick-UPs and other such things but I worry that the chemicals they use might be detrimental to my guns. Recently I thought about baking soda boxes opened up like in a refrigerator. Has anyone came up with a solution to a gun safe that is giving off odors?
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There's nothing that beats an ozone generator for getting rid of odors. In a gun safe that's ideal because it's a small enclosed space. They also are used in the auto business to clean up cars that smokers have used. I don't believe any sprays, baking soda, charcoal, or other chemicals can do a better job as an ozone generator works on the molecular level.
Some crime scene cleaners use them so you can imagine that if it works for them, it would work for you.
Be sure to do your research on using the generator. They can be dangerous if not used properly, then again so can guns.
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I was going to say baking soda.
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You might try some charcoal. It absorbs odor.
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welcome
you dont say what type of "odor" is in your safe.
to me, if its something YOU are doing, you wont fix the issue.
But when i do things like this i try to take on the medical approach----- do no harm or try the minimal harm first and then work you way up.
so, you can try the baking soda first. Chances are you dont have an ozone generator so again, KISS principle and what you have on hand.
Also, the SUN can do wonders too. but if your safe is the size of your truck, then chances are you wont want to take it outside. But just something else to consider.
good luck
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A friend has recommended the Eden Pure system...
https://www.edenpure.com/pages/oxileaf-ii-air-purifier-RRB?utm_campaign=W0673&msclkid=1264d25b0d3d127d88b5b1dfbba69ada
It's low voltage and comes with a wall-plug type supply.
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The first thing that came to mind was an open bottle of Hoppes No.9 with a wick sticking out of it. :)
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The first thing that came to mind was an open bottle of Hoppes No.9 with a wick sticking out of it. :)
What? Waste the best aftershave ever made?
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Don't have an answer to OP question but wondering if is this a problem in general? I have never experienced this with my safes.
Perhaps because all mine are wood shelved verses carpeted as typical with 99% of safes sold to the general public.
Just curious.
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Don't have an answer to OP question but wondering if is this a problem in general? I have never experienced this with my safes.
Perhaps because all mine are wood shelved verses carpeted as typical with 99% of safes sold to the general public.
Just curious.
That is a great point about carpeting. If the safe is new it very well could be outgassing. As the carpet is probably as cheap as the manufacturer can get, no telling what it's made from or where it's from. If it is the carpeting outgassing, I wouldn't leave my guns in there until it's completely gone. I have no basis to say that on hard knowledge other than a lot of imports of different materials from China and Southeast Asian countries are known for sometimes turning out spurious products with serious problems. Looks good, smells terrible, and could be dangerous to your health. A contractor I hired used paneling that was from China and the formaldehyde in outgassing was terrible. He was made to take it down and use US products at his expense.
I hope it's not the carpet. But check it for mold and mildew as well.
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While I will concede the odor cancelling abilities of ozone, I'd caution that it can wreak havoc on unprotected metal surfaces ! Many of the other suggestions would be preferable.
Happy Holidays, Shoot straight !
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The first thing that came to mind was an open bottle of Hoppes No.9 with a wick sticking out of it. :)
They do sell it as an air freshener also just like the ones you hang in your car. LOVE THAT SMELL but not sure masking the smell is the right thing to do in this case.
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First, I would encourage you to review SecureIt's website regarding the failures of chinesium safes, as that's the most likely cause of the odors:
https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/gun-safe-corrosion/
https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/how-the-gun-safe-industry-lost-touch/
https://www.secureitgunstorage.com/do-you-need-a-fire-rated-gun-safe/
And I'm not affiliated in ANY way w/ sole exception of aspiration owner of their products (meaning, don't yet own but intend to upgrade in order to).
I do think it's prudent to develop a fire resistant envelope around your Secureit cabinets (build them into fire-rated drywall double or triple layer, maybe plus up rear/side security, consider replacing wooden studs w/ metal, etc) and then also use fire resistant containers w/in them for valuables if you don't have a fire-rate actual safe. Also look at locating fireball extinguisher(s) nearby -- goal is to buy time in event of fire before fire department w/ water tankers arrive...
Re: conventional safes, I think Brownings or perhaps the more premium Liberties (avoid their base models) are about the cheapest I'd go (but not devoid of issues you're referencing), and for classic safes, I'm likely going Pendleton as they're similar in a lot of ways to SecureIt (metal interiors, etc.), and likely only heirloom guns in that w/ other valuables/heirlooms and critical documents -- or if on more of a budget I'd look at Ft Knox w/ various upgrades or Amsec (haven't priced/featured these two recently, but both for Pendleton-like features cost quite a bit more for their true safes vs base "residential security containers")...
DampRid condensed water vapor is caustic (acidic/alkaline -- one or the other) IIRC and not good for metal, fabric, etc., if spilled, so just be aware. Citrus Magic Odor eliminators do work to absorb odors, but yes, ozone machines eliminate odors (can be had relatively cheap on amazon), but I would get all of my firearms out of the vicinity first as it's an oxidizer -- you also don't want to breathe it in. and baking soda and coffee grounds and sometimes vinegar in a bowl also work -- wouldn't use vinegar w/ my guns in the safe though.
In a gun safe, you definitely want to eliminate the cause of the odor, not just the smell. Definitely ensure you have humidity controlled and consider putting a small dehumidifier inside if new to remove as much moisture as possible from drywall lining your safe before worrying about maintenance solutions like DampRid.
Good luck! Please let us know what works for you.
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Damp rid and air freshener
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Odoban and a box of baking soda. Gun rod and dehumidifier Eva dry cylinders
Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk
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Per a co-worker, I tried a box of dryer sheets zipped into a door pocket. Found out that the dryer sheets masked the other odor, but the smell from the dryer sheets was keeping me awake, my eyes were burning from something in the dryer sheets, changed to a Rubbermaid container with about a pound of baking soda in it. It is too early to tell if this will work, but I’ll update if I come up with anything that works.
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Per a co-worker, I tried a box of dryer sheets zipped into a door pocket. Found out that the dryer sheets masked the other odor, but the smell from the dryer sheets was keeping me awake, my eyes were burning from something in the dryer sheets, changed to a Rubbermaid container with about a pound of baking soda in it. It is too early to tell if this will work, but I’ll update if I come up with anything that works.
Drywall itself can offgas toxic chemicals, especially cheap chinese drywall that is often used in Chinese-made "safes" sold in big box stores: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/chinese-drywall-problems-health-effects-32402.html
China-manufactured drywall has been linked to health problems and metal corrosion in homes.
Problem drywall is a problem that isn't going away. As of 2015, over 4,000 homeowners have reported that drywall imported from China has caused health problems and metal corrosion in their homes, according to the CDC. The contaminated drywall has high levels of sulfur, which may be responsible for a rotten egg smell in affected homes, blackened or corroded pipes, failure of air conditioners and other household appliances, and health problems such as asthma, coughing, headaches, sore throats, and irritated eyes.
Dryer sheets are also highly toxic: https://draxe.com/health/dryer-sheets/
What if I told you those dryer sheets are caked with ingredients you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. And those “blossoms and flowers” depicted on the dryer sheet box? Don’t buy it. Dryer sheets are really a toxic ripoff. That means you’re paying more for a product that could actually be making you sick.
I’m talking about things like known carcinogens, hazardous pollutants, endocrine disruptors and things that target specific organs in the most unpleasant ways. Let’s examine what we know about dryer sheets and your health, then get into simple alternatives for a safer laundry routine.
Dryer Sheets: The Facts
Ever look at a box of dryer sheets? You’ll probably see images of flowers or line-dried laundry and claims of freshness, fabric softening, static reduction and wrinkle fighting power. What you won’t see? A comprehensive list of the chemical cocktail cooked into those sheets. As crazy as it seems, the current United States Consumer Product Safety Commission does not require dryer sheet manufacturers to list actual ingredients, including the chemicals used in fragrance blends.
To help us figure out what’s actually in these products many people use day in and day out, scientists have been studying the sheets and dryer vent exhaust to get a better picture. The results aren’t pretty. Here’s a rundown of some of the compounds detected in dryer sheets and dryer vent exhaust.
In one of the most interesting studies to date, pioneering fragrance researchers Anne Steinemann, PhD, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, looked at the chemicals spewing out of dryer vents. Using new, pre-rinsed organic towels, Steinemann and her team sampled laundry emissions after using scented fabric softening and dryer sheets in clean washers and dryers.
What was coming out of those vents? (And into people’s lungs?) Seven hazardous air pollutants and 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of these, including acetaldehyde and benzene, are not safe at any level. (These are also pollutants that commonly spew out of vehicle tailpipes.) (1)
Acetaldehyde is a common ingredient used in fake fragrance blends. It’s “potentially carcinogenic to humans” and adversely impacts the kidneys, nervous and respiratory systems. (2) While it’s regulated in outdoor emissions, it’s a total free-for-all when it comes to home use. And that’s coming with some serious side effects.
In a 2016 study, Steinemann found 12.5 percent of people blamed scented laundry products spewing from dryer vents for health issues. These include ailments like respiratory issues, runny noses, asthma attacks, skin issues, migraines and even gastrointestinal symptoms. (3) Knowing this, doctors should be putting all of their patients in fragrance-free prescriptions!
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I found this, and I found number4 interesting since it never occurred to me.
https://amanandhisgear.com/reasons-why-your-gun-safe-smells-bad
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I wouldn't put a lot of faith in the anti-dryer sheet rant.
He likes to target acetaldehyde as a "horrible" component of the sheets. Want to know where most people have acetaldehyde - THEIR LIVERS. Yep, that is exactly the same compound that the enzyme ethanol dehydrogenase metabolizes ethyl alcohol into. So if you are going to believe his BS (bull science), you better not think about having another drink.
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I wouldn't put a lot of faith in the anti-dryer sheet rant.
He likes to target acetaldehyde as a "horrible" component of the sheets. Want to know where most people have acetaldehyde - THEIR LIVERS. Yep, that is exactly the same compound that the enzyme ethanol dehydrogenase metabolizes ethyl alcohol into. So if you are going to believe his BS (bull science), you better not think about having another drink.
Acetaldehyde is a primary cause of fibrosis/cirrhosis of the liver and ultimately liver failure from alcohol.
It also attacks the heart, causing alcoholic cardiomyopathy...
You sure that's the hill you want to die on?
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his website is the typical "OMG CHEMICALS PANIC PANIC PANIC"
::)
oh, and buy the "all natural version" he just happens to sell