I have bought some cardboard boxes from IKEA and they stink. What can I do to get rid of the smell?

Answer 1

Probably the smell is due to bacterial or fungal organisms. Ensure they are bone dry and use an anti fungal / anti bacterial agent on them if you really must keep them. Using other things will merely mask the smell rather than getting to the source of it.

Answer 2

Ikea Cardboard Boxes

Answer 3

Sorry to say, but there's nothing you can do to get rid of the smell. Cardboard soaks up smells and since you can't wash cardboard, you're stuck with the smell.

Have you considered bringing them back to IKEA? Even if you don't have the receipt, IKEA is able to tell their merchandise because it isn't sold anywhere else so they'll likely exchange them for you.

The only other thing I can think of is to leave the boxes outside overnight to air them out. If that still doesn't work, you can put potpourri or sachets inside the box. Hopefully, this might help but I have a feeling you'll only mask the smell for the time the potpourri is fresh.

Answer 4

Buy some of those carbon odor absorbers they sell for kitchen and refrigerator odors. I've found a fantastic product called FRIDGE IT activated carbon odor absorbers. It's a small purple cube with a carbon filter that really really works. I've tried these a few years ago and have stayed with them since and now use these everywhere including under sink, near trash and even inside my car to get rid of smoke and other smells. I've tried all these other products and they just do not work like this does, so I can save you the time. After they do the job in your boxes, you can then use them around the house, fridge, etc.
You can find them in kitchen gadget sections at walmart and linens and things. Also maybe on web.
Not expensive and they really work.

Answer 5

Sounds like they're rotting...I've been through many moves in the past three years and you need to toss 'em and get some more from a grocery store for free. They usually give out egg boxes that have handles on them. You need to go towards the end of the day after new eggs have been delivered.

Answer 6

one thing to do would be to leave them in a sheltered breezy place. For example secure them under a shelter in the garden making sure they wont blow away, And leave them there for a week or so to air.
I had to do that a few times for chemically smelling items.

Otherwise you could put fragranced lining paper inside boxes, squirt a bit of perfumed water in/on them, sprinkle a bit of talc inside them.
Bicarbonate of soda absorbs smells. Suppose it depends if its pourous cardboard or coated cardboard.

Hope that helps

Personally I would do the first option.

Answer 7

You have lots of options in Do it yourself section in departmental stores. However the cheap at home solution would be to use a cleaning spirit solution or Febreeze or glass cleaning liquid - just use a mild coat over the boxes. Another option would be to use wardrobe perfumers. Hope this helps.
Cheers, Ssp

Answer 8

put half a lemon on a dish in each box
and close the top
leave over night
it absorbs smells
and gives off a lemon
scent.or spray with
nutradol

Answer 9

Get rid of the boxes

Answer 10

I used to work in a warehouse. When trucks would come in and had an oder,( onions, fishy smells,) we would sprinkle coffee grounds all over the truck. Believe it or not it worked!