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DIY scent free storage tote! for less than $20

68K views 106 replies 69 participants last post by  Ncdeerhunter17  
#1 ·
ok so this is a simple yet effective way to store your hunting clothes without spending the 80 bucks some "carbon scent companies" want you to.

you will need:

sterilite tote with latches on both ends. I think i gave $8.00 for the 22 quart. you can also buy these in sets of 4 or 6.

weather seal foam(self adhesive) 3/8 wide x 3/16 thick- $2.97

command brand seal adhesive plastic hanger hooks(with the 3m glue rated at 100lbs)- $3.19

1 bungee cord with or without hooks(had one laying around the hose) but you can get them for less that $3.00 at wal mart.

activated charcoal(in the fish dept. at wal mart)- my walmart was out, but it is $6.57 for a small jar.

panty hose- $.99


First I washed my tote out with baking soda and water rinsed real good and let sit outside all day to dry.(did the same for the lid)

then I wiped the rim down with rubbing alcohol and let air dry.

I then put the weather stripping foam all the way around the top. here is what it looks like after.

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press the seal on real good.

After that I put on I attached the plastic hooks(following the directions!!) upside down on the sides of the tote. These are going to hold the bungee cord tight over the middle section of the lid which is where the sterilite tubs would normally leak. here is what that looks like.

these are the hooks themselves

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and here is how I put them on.(do this on both sides)
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here is what it looks like done, with the bungee cord pulled tight to seal the mid section of the lid.
Image


Also I dont have pictures(yet) as my wal mart was out of activated charcoal(carbon- same thing). but what you would want to do is cut the legs off the panty hose, and fill them with the activated charcoal(carbon) and tie them off. put as many as you want into each bin. to reactivate it, take it out of the pantyhose, and place in a metal pan, or on foil in the oven for a few min.

Also just wanted to add. if you dont like this, and have the spare cash, or maybe go in with a buddy you can order in sets of 4 only "iris storitall airtight totes". These are the same totes that are sold with that magic carbon suits name on it for a lot more(individually of course) still would need to add activated carbon to them though.

Hope this helps someone!
 
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#2 ·
#5 ·
Me personally I would just get some from walmart. its the same stuff...only A LOT cheaper. you can also recharge it too.(not sure if you can with the big branded kind)
 
#4 ·
My friend did the samething except instead of using carbon he put dirt,leaves, acorns and sticks from your hunting area or backyard. He put them on the bottom of tote and placed a screen or grate at the bottom then he places his clothes in the tote and keeps the lid closed untill he uses them . This works great and keeps your clothes smelling just like the woods.
 
#6 ·
I keep mine in a large trash bag along with a vanilla scented automobile scent tree.
 
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#7 ·
I use these tots as well. I buy a pack of scent wafers each season.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...ods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11858118&cp=4406646.4413993.4414427.4414475

I duct taped safety pins to the inside of the lid. I just hang the wafers from the pins where they dangle over my clothes. I use them for both my clothes and my pack/gear. I usually hang them only the day before I hunt, otherwise I keep them in the container they come in to "recharge" the wafer.

I've been doing it so long that the tot now reeks of acorns :)
 
#11 ·
^ wal mart sells the 35 gal totes in sets of 4, which would be cheaper than buying separate.

Also the two bungees would be a must for a good seal on the larger ones. Just make sure you get the command brand hooks. I tried the other brand and when I pulled the bungee tight they flew off! The command hooks use the 3M ahdesive that is VERY strong, but you must follow the directions in order for them to bind good to the tote since its sorta textured.
 
#17 ·
Just remember, if you plan on using activated charcoal dont add scent waffers or add dirt. This would be an oxymoron, as the carbon would just absorb the scent waffer/dirt smell. Activated charcoal is just an option for those who want to use no cover scent on there clothes and make sure they are scent free.
 
#19 ·
for all. Activated charcoal is the same thing as "activated carbon". just another name.

Activated charcoal, will absorb most all odors/scents. its also what is used to purified water for drinking...fish..ect.

just a super good all round absorbent.
 
#21 ·
Good deal cause I bought some anyways, lol. Couldn't find the weather stripping like yours so I had to buy some 1/2 thick black stuff, Still seems to work good. One more question, do you think i should put two jars of the carbon in since I bought the 45 gallon tub? I wanted to put one in my blind bag but I'm debating on putting both in my tote now.
 
#24 ·
here is a link to the seal I used. I used this specifically because its VERY sticky(duck makes good stuff) and it was thin enough to go around the thinnest part of the tub(by the handle clips)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Duck-Foam-Weatherstrip-Seal-2pk/17133825

Also use a panty hose and just cut it to the length you feel will work. I wouldnt use a jar, as there would be as much surface area to absorb odors/scents, where as the panty hose breathes. Id say for a 45 gallon tub a 15 to 20 inch piece of panty hose filled loosely with activated charcoal would be more than enough.

Ps, have your wife buy the panty hose unless you dont mind looking like a crossdresser!lol
 
#26 ·
I wonder if baking soda would work? Or cedar chips? I'm gonna try this idea for sure..thx
 
#29 ·
baking soda will work, but not as effective as carbon. if you could figure out a way to spread out the baking soda to get more surface to air ratio it would do ok. but baking soda cant be recharged like carbon, so its more expensive
in the long run.

Also yes, cedar, dirt, leaves..scent waffers will all work as cover scents, but you would still need to wash your clothes in a scent free detergent first. if you use the activated charcoal, DO NOT add any cover scent stuff, as the carbon will absorb the scent from those and eventually become clogged(so to speak).

using carbon is for those who prefer not to store their gear with cover scents.
 
#28 ·
in my walmart(everyone is a little different) they were in an isle with things like coat hangers, tools ect.

basically its in the home improvement isle. The brand is "command" which I found to be the best after buying a few of the cheaper ones.
 
#33 ·
Good find! I looked for a while, before I just decided to make my own.
 
#32 ·
Good idea. I use a tote but I've been putting cedar "leaves" etc in with my clothes in a vacuum bag (those 'space saver' type bags) to keep the air off of them in the tote. I throw sticks, cedar etc in the bottom of the tote too b/c during the season I'm not so careful to put the clothes back in the bag, seal it and pull the air out.

I like this.