DIY Network

I'm really hoping someone can help me.

I live in a great old home built in 1947 that is wonderfully built. (solid through and through) Recently my wife noticed a "hot rubbery, plasticly smell" in the house. I personally don't smell it but that doesn't mean it's not there.

I have checked the wiring, air conditioning, etc. I have checked all of the normal culprits that would be responsible. But all check out.

I am coming to my wits end. Could I please get some advice or some help as to what we should do.

Also, we are non smokers.

Thanks for your help.

Is the smell in any particular room? Checked the appliances?

Sometimes items that have been wrapped in plastic have that smell that just l-i-n-g-e-r-s!
A new golf bag was the culprit in our house. It smelled like shoe polish, but had been in a plastic bag inside it's original box.

Have you purchased any plastic items, such as totes, etc., that might be giving off such an odor.

Oh, you might check under the stove burners on your range. Once we had one of those little square plastic bread wrapper closures that found its' way under the burner and when we'd use that burner, we'd smell a 'burnt plastic' smell. It hadn't caught fire, but sure smelled bad.

I'd also say to check appliances.
Washing machine and dryer, many have a belt
or gasket that will smell as it starts to
wear out.
Vacuum, belt, too
Microwave, mine smelt wierd like that when it
went out.
Old VCR, belt, too.

Oh, and don't forget really old shoes. I had a pair of (cheap) snow boots and as the rubber started to degrade from age that smell similar, too.

Good luck on the hunt!

i don't want to alarm you. your house was built when aluminom wire was legal to use. has your wiring been cked out