Maybe you guys who usually mess with tools know this - why is it that plastic tool boxes develop that horrible sour milk smell? Is there a solution besides just buying a metal tool box?

I thought this was a badly mis-labeled post about the movie "The Toolbox Murders". My plastic toolbox doesn't smell like sour milk.

"The Tool-Box Odors" was the 'family friendly' PG version. Of course, 'family friendly' means ex-SNL actors and a lot of bad-odor jokes.

It's happened to two other people around here I know of. maybe it's the humid climate? :confused:

Never had that problem, but I live in a dry climate. Are you sure it's the toolbox?;)

I think its From Beyond's cat again. ;)

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=89725

Huzz

Soak the entire box overnight in a solution of baking soda and water. Mix it kinda strong on the baking soda and it'll remove all or almost all of the odor. If that don't work, place a skunk on the worktable next to it and you'll never notice the smell from the toolbox again!

That's it, blame it on FB's cat!

Baking soda. Okay, but what causes it in the first place? I keep the thing clean, I keep the tools clean, it happens every time if it's a plastic box with household tools, and it's happened to other people - so there must be some reaction to the plastic from housing the tools. I wanna know! None of you are familiar with this phenomenon?

Friends, do you suffer from the heartbreak of TOOL BOX ODOR?

I know that smell!! My toolbox in the utility room smells like that exactly. I hate to even get close to the thing, not to mention use the tools inside it! There must be a logical explanation. And yes, all the tools inside are kept clean also. :rolleyes:

I have 4 plastic type toolboxes around here and dont get any type of smell from them except the one I keep putty, sealers and the like in.

Mmmmmm.....tool box smell....