What is that smell ...

[Joule Thief]

that smell I call the "Harbor Freight import" smell. Everytime I open a package from Harbor freight, there is this indescribable odor, mainly present on rubberized products. EPDM bungee cords, rubber duster bulbs, air hoses, always that smell.

The smell will dissipate after weeks of exposure outside the packaging but can become quiet noticeable in a small enclosed area. My question is if there a way to remove the smell quickly from these products. I purchased several sets of rubber feet for project cases and bam  .... there it is, that smell again. 

Any ideas?

[marshallh]

Outgassing of the petroleum based products, I dont know any way to stop it, just needs time and heat to accelerate the process.

[iampoor]

"ooouuuuuuoooouuuuuuu that smellll......cant you smell that smelll...."  O0

[KJDS]

It's the smell of the stagnant water that's sloshing around in the bottom of the sea container.

[pickle9000]

I'm trying very hard to restrain myself.

[pickle9000]

Are you sure it's coming from the package?

[Joule Thief]

a wise guy eh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yscaDkzHqek

[Fraser]

I don't know about Harbour Freights specific 'smell' but I can say that my pleasure senses are atuned to the smell of new electronics    When you get that new 'toy' and first open the box....that lovely aromour that tells you its brand new and shiny, just waiting to be played with. New cars also have the 'new' smell and you can even buy a spray can of polish that has a similar smell to prolong the joy of new car ownership 

Aurora

[pickle9000]

a wise guy eh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yscaDkzHqek

I prefer the term jocular.

Although I'm told in person I'm quite intimidating. 

[Joule Thief]

No worries, your comment gave me the only good laugh I had last night! 

[ModemHead]

I bought one of those really cheap PCB holders mentioned in another thread recently.  When I opened the package, I said to myself "Hmmm... that smells just like Harbor Freight."  The device is all metal, except for some little stick-on feet.  A little bit of localized sniffing reveals that the feet are indeed the source of the smell.

I think it's psychological conditioning.  I now have an overwhelming urge to go buy cheap flashlights, batteries, and little red multimeter-like toys.   

[xrunner]

Most things have their own "smell". Example - my next door neighbor. He's 85 and his house is chock full of junk collectibles. So much so that in two of the bedrooms you can't go into them. At all.

Anyway, when I go over there it has a smell ... like the cellar of a museum that has about 15 mummies down there. I mentioned it once to his daughter, and she told me she called it "old man smell". 

[GreyWoolfe]

I bought one of those really cheap PCB holders mentioned in another thread recently.  When I opened the package, I said to myself "Hmmm... that smells just like Harbor Freight."  The device is all metal, except for some little stick-on feet.  A little bit of localized sniffing reveals that the feet are indeed the source of the smell.

I think it's psychological conditioning.  I now have an overwhelming urge to go buy cheap flashlights, batteries, and little red multimeter-like toys.   

No, it is an overwhelming urge to scarf up coupons for free cheap flashlights and little red multimeter like toys

[Rory]

Phthalic acid?

[Stonent]

"ooouuuuuuoooouuuuuuu that smellll......cant you smell that smelll...."  O0

too much Taco Bell.....

[Bassman59]

Outgassing of the petroleum based products, I dont know any way to stop it, just needs time and heat to accelerate the process.

Xcelite screwdrivers and such have that smell, too, and it never goes away.

[Fraser]

Xcelite nut drivers .... Yep know that smell well ! That is a smell I do not like though.

Aurora

[cosmicray]

Outgassing of the petroleum based products, I dont know any way to stop it, just needs time and heat to accelerate the process.

Xcelite screwdrivers and such have that smell, too, and it never goes away.

I recall those stinky plastic handles, from the 1970s. 

[Stonent]

I bought one of those really cheap PCB holders mentioned in another thread recently.  When I opened the package, I said to myself "Hmmm... that smells just like Harbor Freight."  The device is all metal, except for some little stick-on feet.  A little bit of localized sniffing reveals that the feet are indeed the source of the smell.

I think it's psychological conditioning.  I now have an overwhelming urge to go buy cheap flashlights, batteries, and little red multimeter-like toys.   

No, it is an overwhelming urge to scarf up coupons for free cheap flashlights and little red multimeter like toys

It is somewhat handy to be able to open any cabinet or drawer in my apartment and find a multimeter and flashlight.

[calexanian]

Xcelite screw and nut drivers have been covered in another post. They contain butyric acid in the resin used in the handles. When that outgasses you have that smell. If your tools are left in open bins like ours are it never builds up and is hardly noticeable. Another shop i frequent has them all in a cabinet and even though the newest tool in there is 25 years old you get hit with a wall of that funk when you open the door every day. We have some screwdrivers with PVC handles and they just do not feel the same.

[Ian.M]

It is somewhat handy to be able to open any cabinet or drawer in my apartment and find a multimeter and flashlight.

Not if you and your guests can simply follow your nose to the nearest multimeter or flashight! 

[marshallh]

Get your Hazard Fraught Tools flyer here:


http://itsamanslife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ToolSale.pdf

[Whales]

Pesticide spray used in storage house?  Even better if it's soluble in the otherwise smelly rubber handles too!

[max666]

I bought this ESD mat from RS:

http://at.rs-online.com/web/p/esd-schutzmatten/7873120/

I washed it, went at it with bleach, let it hang in the sun for a couple of days, now I have the smelly bastard hanging in my basement for half a year now and the smell is still not bearable to have the mat in a closed room 
If only i hadn't thrown away the packaging 

[Shock]

I bought this ESD mat from RS:

http://at.rs-online.com/web/p/esd-schutzmatten/7873120/

I washed it, went at it with bleach, let it hang in the sun for a couple of days, now I have the smelly bastard hanging in my basement for half a year now and the smell is still not bearable to have the mat in a closed room 
If only i hadn't thrown away the packaging 

You should be able to return it without the original packaging, I wouldn't go into details on how you had to clean it though, just that it has an unbearable smell and is unusable.