Question from Patti
Hi, I bought many cardboard storage boxes, the decorated kind you get at Home Goods, TJ Maxx, etc. to store photos and things like that. I’ll use them in my bedroom and they don’t smell when closed, but they smell terrible opened up. They told me it was the glue that they put the boxes together with.I’d thought it was pesticides. I love the boxes, I need the boxes very much. Is this possible to air this out and get rid of the smell or toxicity, or do I have to return them? I do have MCS. Thanks!!! Patti!
Debra’s Answer
Yes, you can air this out. I use these boxes too, but before I do, I take them outside, open them up, and give them a good airing in the sun. For a day or two. Until I can’t smell them any more.
I think what we are smelling is the glue.
I used to store my fabric stash in the decorative cardboard storage boxes that were available everywhere. It seems the nasty plastic totes have replaced them and I hate the smell. I have searched everywhere online and cannot find the cardboard ones in any store nor online. The only option I have found are Christmas cardboard storage boxes for ornaments or wrapping paper., or the cardboard filing boxes which are too small. Any help will be much appreciated. It seems impossible that they no longer exist.
Yes I see that plastic boxes have replaced the cardboard storage boxes, but cardboard boxes ARE still widely available for shipping.
You don’t say what size you need, but you might try someplace like Paper Mart or a similar store near you.
What about the rancid smell? How is the smell to be eliminated? I’ve tried baking soda and charcoal bricks.
I don’t know. I haven’t had that problem. Readers?
There was a mention of Gaylord’s that carrys archival paper boxes. Has anyone used these and found them to have less overall smell as compared to the decorative storage boxes that can be found at a place like Michaels?
I very much need to find non-toxic containers for my crafts materials. It must have structure to it. Bags will not do.
I don’t have an answer to your specific question, but I’ve found that brightly colored boxes have more odor from the ink and plain white or brown boxes have less odor.
You may be reacting to the phenols in most glues. Letting them outgas may reduce the amount of phenol to which you are exposed, but it will not eliminate it. I recommend proceeding with caution.
If you choose to use these boxes, but then find that your reactions to phenols in other products are intensifying, iremoving these boxes may become necessary.
Also, remember that these boxes will continue to absorb and re-emit chemicals in your environment.
This brings to mind another storage box question…recently I purchased three very large plastic bin type boxes with lids, and I noted a smell to them, also. Would putting something like this in the sun a while also eliminate the odors?
Thanks!
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
Yes.
Be very careful about storage containers. The cardboard ones are high-acid so don’t store photos or other paper products that you want to preserve. Yes, it takes years, but it’s a slow deterioration. There is an online store called Gaylord where you can get “archival” quality paper storage containers. They are not cheap. The plastic containers will always smell ike petroleum because that is what they are made from. I had an unfortunate experience with a small, hard platic container. I stupidly continued to store my grandfather’s military discharge paper in one. After years, I took it out and it had darkened so much that the original ink, handwritten notes about him were obliterated. There was a strong petroleum smell. Putting plastic in the sun will not do anything to remove the oily/petro smell. I store some clothing and bedding in dustmite pillow cases. They are made from “barrier cloth” with a very tight weave, impenetrable by bugs and insects. Moths, beetles will eat silk and wool. I’m not sure about cotton.