Metal zippers are considered the classic style for this type of fastener, and are used in jeans and other styles of pants, jackets, tote bags, luggage and other items. They may be fashioned from brass, aluminum, or nickel. Any time you have two pieces of fabric that need to be fastened, a zipper may be used to join them. The metal teeth create a bond that is strong and stable. The device takes its name from the sound it makes when in use, a high-pitch “zip”. This guide will focus on how to get rid of metal zipper smell.
The smell associated with metal zippers is one that many people find quite offensive. It’s the same aroma that occurs when someone handles old coins and is caused by the oxidization of the metal as it runs over the teeth in the zipper device. Some people even report feeling concerned that the stink from the oxidization process will transfer to their hands. They will even go so far as to smell their own hands to see whether this is the case. If you’ve done this, you now know you’re not alone. Who wants to feel as though they are going around meeting people and touching things with smelly hands? It’s not much of a confidence booster.
How to Get Rid of Metal Zipper Smell
1 Soap It Up
Take a bar of soap with an aroma that you particularly like and rub it up and down both sides of the zipper. This solution to the issue of stinky metal zippers should tone down, if not eliminate, the problem.
2 WD40 It
You could try applying some WD40 to the zipper and wiping it down with a clean cloth. This process may remove any residue that may be causing the smell. (If it doesn’t solve the problem, it will make your zipper move smoothly.)
3 Wipe it Down with Vinegar
Use white vinegar and a cloth to clean the zipper. This common household item has deodorizing properties and will not harm the metal. It dries quickly, and you will know in a relatively short time whether you have been successful at conquering the smell beast.
4 Throw it in the Wash
If the smelly zipper is from a new clothing item, throw it in the wash before you wear it for the first time. This step may be enough to get rid of any lingering aroma clinging to the zipper or the fabric. Use your regular laundry soap and fabric softener. Dry it in the dryer and check the zipper by taking a whiff before you put it on. (Don’t let anyone see you do this step, though, unless you really want to explain what the heck you’re doing.)
5 Bust Out the Silicone Spray
Control the zipper odor by dousing the area with a silicone spray. You will have to hit the front and back with it, but this type of product will give you similar results to treating the problem with a spray from a can of WD40.
6 Rub it Down with Rubbing Alcohol
This product will also remove any substances that may be causing the stink. Your zipper should also move more freely after you have finished applying the alcohol. Use a clean cloth to apply to alcohol compound, and don’t forget to clean the back of the zipper as well.
Remove Musty Smell from Metal Zippers
1 Boil Water and Bleach It Out
If you are looking to get the stink out of a bunch of metal zippers bought at a thrift store before using them on your own clothes, make sure they are good to go by washing them in a solution of boiling water and bleach. Follow up by drying them in a hot dryer. This should result in fresh-smelling metal zippers that are ready for use.
2 Lysol Soak
Try soaking the zippers in a solution of Lysol and water for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and hang them outside to dry. Letting the fresh air and sunshine get at them should help to get rid of the stank.
Alternatives to Dealing with Smelly Metal Zippers
1 Replace Them with Plastic Ones
If you really can’t stand the thought of dealing with smelly metal zippers for one more second, consider having them replaced with plastic ones when it is practical to do so. Many dry cleaners offer this service, and you can take clothing items to specialized tailoring shops as well. While it may not make a lot of sense to have the zipper on a pair of jeans replaced, you may decide to go ahead and have the work done on a jacket that you wear often.
2 Add Pull Tabs to the Zippers on Purses and Luggage
The idea here is to minimize your hand-to-zipper contact with the metal. If you are one of those people who are uncomfortable at the thought of making contact with the metal in case it is transferring a stinky smell to your hands and that you need to be smelling your hands all the time “just in case,” this solution might help you feel a little bit better. You could also add a decorative tab to a jacket to lower the risk of coming into contact with metal zipper smell.
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Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean and deodorize your navel. Start by dipping one end of a cotton swab into the alcohol. Take your hand and gently stretch the skin on your navel. Work your way around all the nooks and crannies to remove any built up dirt. You may need to use more than one cotton swab to get the entire belly button clean and sweet smelling, especially if you have never gone on a mission to clean it out.
The issue with using rubbing alcohol to swab out the nether regions of your navel is that if you happen to have a cut or skin irritation, you will end up hitting the ceiling. The alcohol is also very drying, which can end up causing more problems than simple stank. Hydrogen peroxide can be used in the same way as the alcohol solution listed above. It will clean out any minor cuts without causing you any pain.
Your belly button could be smelly because of an imbalance in body chemistry. Tackle it head on by cleaning out your navel with a cotton swab dipped in tea tree oil. You will need to repeat this process a couple of times per day for maximum effectiveness. If the issue is due to bacteria, it should bring the stank under control relatively quickly.
You can use a feminine hygiene wash on your belly button if you wish. These products are meant to clean and deodorize the skin, and you can’t hurt your navel by using one of them on this part of your body. You could apply it with a cotton swab if you wish, but you will want to make sure you rinse the area well after applying the product. It may be a good idea to lie down and pour a glass of warm water over your navel to rinse the detergent off. Dry with carefully with a towel before you get dressed.
Hibiclens is an antiseptic skin cleanser. It is available without a prescription at drug stores and online. You can soak a cotton swab in the product and clean out your belly button. For extra cleaning power, leave a clean cotton swab in place for a few minutes to allow the liquid to soak in. Once you apply the Hibiclens, it will continue to kill germs for up to six hours.
Mix up a solution of 2 teaspoons of baking soda and two teaspoons of corn starch. If you want to add something extra to this anti-stank remedy, you can add a few drops of essential oil if you like. Not only will it banish the smell from your Emu boots, but it will soften the inside of them as well. Shake it into your footwear and leave it overnight. Shake out the excess the next day.
If you want an all-natural way to de-funk your boots, try grass. We are not talking about the type that other people would be tempted to roll up and smoke to zone out for awhile. Take some fresh grass clippings and stuff them into your boots. Leave them in place for a few days. The grass will absorb the offensive smell from your boots. Who doesn’t like the smell of a freshly-mowed lawn? Now your boots can have the same lovely smell in stead of smelling like feet! We think that’s a win-win proposition.
When your boots are made for walking on their own because of the stank factor, you need to do something about the issue. You can get the smell out of your boots and be kind to the environment at the same time by stuffing them with some old newspapers. Leave the papers for a few days before checking the boots. If there is any lingering offensive aroma, simply replace the newspaper with some fresh stuff and recheck it in a few more days. You can always make a point of stuffing your boots every time you take them off to absorb odor and wetness and keep any smells at bay.
The reason your Emu boots are smelling stinky is due to bacteria. If you want to kill the bacteria where they live, sprinkle some borax into each boot. You can find this product in grocery stores (check the laundry aisle) or online. Sprinkle one teaspoon into each boot to get the job done. As a bonus, the borax will also kill athlete’s foot.
If you are looking for a mess-free solution to the issue of getting the smell out of your Emu boots, try tucking a scented dryer sheet into each one. Leave it in place to absorb the odor overnight or until you are ready to wear them again. The advantage to this solution is that you don’t have to deal with any powders getting onto your socks or pants when you wear your boots next time. Simply replace the dryer sheets between wearings to keep the smell to a minimum.
Vinegar is a very effective deodorizer. It’s economical and can be found in just about any home. Use vinegar to remove all kinds of smells from interior spaces, including the smoky residue from the scene of a fire. Fill a bowl with white or apple cider vinegar and place it in the room. If you decide to use white vinegar, add a slice of lemon to the bowl to give you some extra deodorizing power. Let it sit for several days to absorb the odor. You can also soak a piece of bread in white vinegar and leave it in the room as a deodorizer.
Charcoal is another substance that will readily absorb the smell of smoke and any other nasty odors from a house. Put briquettes (the type you would use for a barbeque grill) in a can or a bowl. Place the charcoal in the corners of the room and leave it in place for several days. Over time, you should notice less smoke and musty smells in your place.
The molecules that cause the smokey smell can cling to hard surfaces in the room. You will want to give them a thorough cleaning as soon as possible to get rid of the stank. Start by tackling the problem by cleaning the walls, ceilings, any cabinetry (inside and out), wooden furniture, and appliances with an all-purpose cleaner like Lysol. Be sure to rinse the surfaces thoroughly with clean water. Next, you will want to clean any wood surfaces in the room with Murphy’s oil soap. Follow the directions on the bottle for best results.
The scent of an apple-cinnamon candle can cut through the smell of smoke after a fire. You would need to light it up and burn it for a couple of hours each day for this solution to be effective. An alternative to lighting the candle would be to place some fresh cinnamon sticks in a cup of water and boil them on the stove. The aroma of cinnamon would spread through your home. It is certainly much more pleasant than the smell of smoke, even if it only provides some temporary relief from the original stank.
Baking soda is a good all-purpose deodorizer. To attack the lingering smell of smoke after a fire, sprinkle it on the carpet in the room. Leave it for five or 10 minutes before vacuuming. This should remove any smells lurking in the flooring. It will not damage the fibers, and you can use it as often as you wish.
This solution involves a one-two process. First, you spray the inside of the shoes with Febreze. Then you place them outside while the Febreze is drying. The combination of the air freshener and the power of the sunshine should banish the bad odors from the shoes. Leaving them out overnight is best if you have the time to do so.
Placing odor-destroying insoles in your shoes should help with the issue of keeping your jazz shoes from stinking up the room when you remove them. There are a number of brands on the market. You may need to experiment with a few before you find the one that will work best for you. Look for one that contains activated charcoal, since this is the material that will absorb the foot odor. Dr. Scholl’s Odor Destroyers is a brand that a number of dancers find effective for dealing with stinky jazz shoes.
If you notice a musty smell coming from under your house, high humidity is probably to blame. You can deal with this issue by spreading some sweet lime in the crawl space under your home. It will absorb the excess moisture and reduce or eliminate the dank smell from coming up into your house.
Another option you can consider when you notice a funky smell coming from under your house is to buy some DampRid. This product is available at hardware stores and online. Place a few pails of door-absorbing crystals in your crawl space or basement and let them get to work. They will pull the moisture out of the air to eliminate the nasty stank.
If you have cleaned your basement thoroughly and you are still noticing a moldy smell, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier. Running the unit will help to keep the musty aroma at bay. Open the windows and doors and try to keep this area well ventilated to keep air flow moving.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a skunk spray coming from your basement of crawl space, be prepared to wait it out for at least a couple of weeks before the smell is completely gone. Clean any objects in the room that have been sprayed with an all-purpose cleaner like Pine-Sol or lemon oil. Use Carpet-fresh on your floor. Burn scented candles or incense. Be prepared to repeat the process when if the weather turns humid, since moisture in the air will reactivate the smell factor.
This recipe for homemade skunk deodorizer is something you should be using with caution. Mix 1 quart (3 percent concentration) hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 cup of baking soda and a Tablespoon of liquid laundry or dishwashing detergent. Mix the ingredients in an open container. Do not place them in a container and close the lid. The buildup of gases can cause an explosion. Do not store the mixture. You will need to use all of it in one shot. It is to be used to deodorizing the items that have been hit by the skunk spray. You could use a long-handled mop to spread it on a floor or sprinkle it under your house. This mixture may discolor fabrics, so be sure to test it before using on upholstered furniture.
If the skunk smell coming from under your house is getting worse over time, you may need professional help. This may be a sign that you have a dead animal issue that is growing more and more bloated over time. Unless you have professional experience or a particularly strong stomach, this is probably one job that you should leave to people who get paid the big bucks to do stuff that figures really high on the Eww Meter. It will likely be money well spent if it turns out you have a dead critter under your house.
Fresh air and sunshine can resolve a lot of smell issues. Give your bag a sniff to determine whether the smell is on the outside only or if it has penetrated to the inside as well. If it is inside your purse, turn the bag inside out and hang it outside for a day or two. If not, hang it up as is to freshen up your clutch, tote or what have you.
This solution to how to get smell out of purse may seem a bit out there, but it is an effective way to deal with the issue. Take two scented pantiliners and remove the paper backing. Put them together so that the sticky side is facing the sticky side. You now have a double-sided deodorizer for the the purse. Tuck it inside the bag and seal it up. Leave it in place for up to a week to eliminate lingering odors.
Baking soda is a good, all-purpose product to get rid of nasty smells. It won’t damage a leather purse. Place the bag on a clean towel and open a fresh box of baking soda. Pour the contents all over the bag and cover with another clean towel. Leave the baking soda on the bag for two or three days and give it a sniff. You can repeat the process, if necessary.
Freezing out a smell can work if you are dealing with a mildew odor, but you need to be careful. Wrap the purse in paper, and then place it in a paper or garbage bag before you put it in the freezer. Leave it in place for a few hours. When you remove it from the freezer, put it down carefully and don’t touch the purse until it warms up to room temperature on its own.
Take an old pair of pantyhose and pour some coffee grounds in them. Tie a knot in the top and place inside the purse. Zip or close the bag. Check the purse in a few days to check on the progress of your odor removal experiment. If you are still smelling smoke in your bag, replace the coffee grounds and reseal it. Keep replacing until all the stink is gone.
A creative solution for getting the smell out of a leather bag is to place a small piece of orange or lemon skin in the purse. For best results, put it on a piece of paper to avoid transferring any natural oils onto the inside of the bag . You want to avoid staining it.