Why Do New Dumbbells Smell and How to Remove the Odor?

Learn why new dumbbells have a strong smell and effective methods to eliminate it, including cleaning tips and odor neutralization.

Published

Video transcript

New dumbbells often smell due to off-gassing of chemicals used during manufacturing, such as rubber or plastic. To eliminate the odor, try wiping them down with soap and water or leaving them in a well-ventilated area or sunlight for a few days. If the smell persists, use baking soda to neutralize it by sprinkling some on the dumbbells and wiping them down after a few hours.

Questions and answers

  1. Why do new dumbbells have a strong chemical smell?

    New dumbbells often emit a smell due to off-gassing of chemicals like rubber or plastic used during manufacturing.

  2. How can I get rid of the smell from my new dumbbells?

    You can remove the odor by wiping them with soap and water, leaving them in a ventilated area or sunlight, or using baking soda to neutralize the smell.

  3. Is the smell from dumbbells harmful?

    Generally, the smell is from harmless off-gassed chemicals, but prolonged inhalation may cause discomfort; airing them out reduces any risk.