Off-the-wall question about cleaning media

[MadOtis]

All,

This really doesn't conform to the "reloading" forum, but it's close...

A local reloader told me to go buy crushed walnut bird bedding from PetSmart instead of paying a premium for the same stuff from a reloading supply company. It was about 1/4th the cost for a 20lb bag. It also cleaned some range brass perfectly.

The question is... Does crushed walnut shell normally give off a turpentine or mineral spirits odor if the bag is left open? I got home from work tonight to my whole house smelling like someone had poured a full can of turpentine or mineral spirits all over everything and the only thing new in the house was the bag of walnut bedding, which I had inadvertently left open in my basement.

 

[jeeptim]

Mine smells like m/s also but i add just a tad works really well.
But right from the pet store if it smells that bad your bird should be dead.
You have something else going on.
Good luck.

 

[Reloadron]

While the stuff is normally scented I don't see it giving off a turpentine or mineral spirits odor? Bird bedding, rodent bedding or whatever it should all be non-toxic and pet safe as in not harmful. You sure this odor came from the bag as it sounds strange to me and the stuff I buy at Pet Smart is pretty much odorless. After tumbling awhile I just add some Nu-Finish car polish, that smells good.

Ron

 

[rsrocket1]

I got crushed walnut at a feed store. $17 for 50 pounds. No odor. I put a couple of used dryer sheets cut in 4 pieces and they pick up all the dust. No other additives needed. While the MS and NuFinish cut down on the dust, they also cause the powder soot and lead based primer dust to stick to it. The sheets do the same thing and I simply dispose of them rather than have the stuff stick to the walnut.