First steps
Start here
- Air the items out first; airing can often remove odors.
- Brush off any visible mildew outdoors, not inside.
- Don't machine-dry until the smell is gone.
A thrift smell on metal items tends to be the same musty, smoky or mothball odor as anything stored in a damp place, and the odor can linger after the item looks clean. Metal is more forgiving than fabric, but bare steel and chrome need different care, and heat is off the table for both. Rust on a steel tool is a set-in problem that calls for a firmer scrub.
Skip the drain cleaner idea, since it's made for pipes and not for a metal item you're handling. Clean the piece with mild soap and water, then dry it fully before you judge the smell. If the odor returns once it's dry, an odor eliminator is the product to try.
Before you start
What metal, chrome & tools can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care6
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat, once the stain is out
9 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Mild soapMakes the wash solution for the whole item. (opens Amazon)
- Sponge or soft clothApplies the wash without scratching the metal. (opens Amazon)
- 000 or 0000 steel wool, or a wire brushScrubs rust off bare steel only. (opens Amazon)
- White vinegarOvernight soak for severe rust on bare steel tools. (opens Amazon)
- Acid-free wheel cleaner approved for your wheel typeThe only cleaner for wheels, as the owner's manual sets out. (opens Amazon)
- Bright-metal cleanerFor chrome trim and bumpers, applied like a wax. (opens Amazon)
- Rust-inhibiting oil or silicone sprayProtects clean, dry bare steel tools. (opens Amazon)
- Plant-based oilProtects garden tools after cleaning.
- Wax or chrome preservativeProtects bright metal after cleaning. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Air the items out first
Put the metal items somewhere open, outdoors if you can, and leave them to air. Airing often removes odors on its own, so it's worth doing before any cleaning.
Step 2 of 6
Brush off visible mildew outdoors
If you see mildew on a metal item, brush it off outside rather than indoors. That keeps the dust from settling back into the room.
Step 3 of 6
Wash with mild soap and water
Work a sponge in a mild soap-and-water solution over the whole item. It lifts heavy dirt and brake dust from wheels, and the same wash works on tools and trim. Rinse thoroughly afterward so no film is left behind.
Careful. Use lukewarm or cold water only, and never clean hot chrome or wheels.
Step 4 of 6
Scrub off any rust
On bare steel, rub the rust with 000 or 0000 steel wool or a wire brush. For severe rust, soak the piece overnight in white vinegar first, then wipe it with a damp rag and scrub again.
Careful. Steel wool and abrasive pads scratch chrome, so keep them off the bright trim.
Step 5 of 6
Dry every piece completely
Wipe each item and let it air-dry until no moisture is left in joints, seams or crevices. Only store it once it is fully dry.
Careful. Never store a wet tool; leftover moisture causes rust.
Step 6 of 6
Protect the clean metal
Coat clean, dry bare steel with a rust-inhibiting oil or silicone spray. Garden tools take a plant-based oil instead, and bright metal gets a wax or chrome preservative.
Tip. Wipe off the extra so it doesn't collect dust.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for secondhand smell on metal, chrome & tools
Pick a rust-inhibiting oil or silicone spray for bare steel, and a bright-metal cleaner for chrome.
OdoBan Odor Eliminator & Disinfectant Concentrate
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on metal, chrome & tools, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
A smell that keeps coming back needs the longer treatment.
If the smell lingers →How to tell it's working
The metal smells neutral when you sniff it close after it has fully dried. Rust specks are gone, bare steel looks even, and chrome looks bright with no haze.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your metal, chrome & tools
Bare steel tools
Start by removing dirt with a cloth, bristle brush or wire brush, since loose grime lifts more easily before any soaking. Sap comes off with soapy water, or with turpentine on cutting tools.
Only heavy rust needs the overnight vinegar soak, and light rust clears with the scrub alone. Dry the tool fully before you apply any protective oil.
Garden tools
Garden tools follow the same wash, scrub and drying steps as other bare steel. The one change is the protective coat, which should be a plant-based oil instead of a rust-inhibiting oil or silicone spray.
Oil the tool only after it's fully dry, and wipe off the extra so it doesn't collect dirt at the joints. Wipe the blade and handle the same way so no sticky film is left behind.
Chrome trim and bumpers
Clean the trim with the mild soap-and-water wash first, then use a bright-metal cleaner made for chrome. Apply the cleaner the way you would a wax, working in small sections.
Leave the cleaner on only as long as its label says, and never longer. Wipe it off, rinse, and finish with a wax or chrome preservative to keep the shine.
Alloy wheels
Start with the mild soap-and-water wash, which removes heavy dirt and brake dust. Then use only an acid-free wheel cleaner approved for your wheel type in the owner's manual.
Rinse thoroughly, especially in winter, when road salt and brine build up on the wheel. Dry the wheels fully afterward so no water sits in the spokes.
If the smell lingers
Old smell that has soaked into a metal item usually sits on the surface, so the first wash and airing do most of the work. If the first pass doesn't clear it, repeat the wash once before you move on.
If the item has dried rust, the vinegar soak is the stronger option for bare steel tools. Leave it overnight, then scrub with a wire brush or steel wool, and coarse steel wool or lump pumice also work. Dry the piece completely once the rust is gone, then protect it again.
On chrome or wheels, stick to the makers' approved cleaners and don't push harder. If the smell survives a full wash and airing, treat it as the limit of what you can clear at home.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on secondhand smell on metal, chrome & tools?
Plenty of household remedies get passed around for musty or smoky smells, but many suit fabric better than metal. Some of these should be avoided on metal items, and the rest can be skipped.
Works1Skip3Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use bleach on these metals
Bleach isn't safe on non-stainless steel, aluminum or silver, so leave it out of every step. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or any other cleaner, and rinse thoroughly between any two products you use.
Don't use abrasives on aluminum wheels
Abrasive cleaner, polishing compound, solvent, wire brushes, and acid or alkaline cleaners all damage aluminum wheels. Strong alkaline or caustic detergents also cause discoloration on chrome-plated or anodized aluminum parts.
Don't put chrome cleaner or polish on wheels
Chrome cleaner, metal cleaner and polish are made for trim, not for wheels or wheel covers. Stick to the acid-free wheel cleaner approved in the owner's manual for the wheels.
Questions
Is thrift drain cleaner safe for pipes?
For pipes, trust the product's own label and nothing else. Don't reach for a thrift-store bottle based on the cleaning steps for these items.
Can I soak a rusty tool in vinegar?
Yes, for severe rust on bare steel tools, and the soak is meant to run overnight. Scrub off the loosened rust afterward, then dry the tool completely before you protect it.
Will the smell come out of chrome trim?
Usually, if you air it out, wash it with mild soap and water, then clean it with a bright-metal cleaner. Finish with a wax or chrome preservative so the shine lasts.
Which oil should I use on garden tools?
Use a plant-based oil on garden tools after they're clean and fully dry. Other bare steel gets a rust-inhibiting oil or silicone spray instead.
Why does a metal item still smell after cleaning?
Usually it hasn't been aired or dried long enough, so give it more time in open air and check that no moisture is trapped in it. Repeat the wash once if the smell is still there.
How do I keep rust from coming back?
Dry the metal completely, then coat bare steel with a rust-inhibiting oil, silicone spray or wax, depending on the metal. Store it dry, because moisture left on a tool is what starts rust again.
Secondhand Smell on other materials
Other stains on metal, chrome & tools
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.