New or old furniture smell - how to get rid of?

Any furniture, both purchased and in use for many years, can become a source of unpleasant odors. If this happens, then it is necessary to get rid of it as soon as possible, since it can not only spoil the cozy home atmosphere, but also be harmful to health.

New furniture
Purchasing new furniture is a pleasant experience for the whole family.

Reasons why new furniture smells

If the new furniture smells specifically, then this indicates the presence of elements potentially hazardous to health in the composition. The following components can serve as a source:

  • Frame. Most often, it is made from chipboard, which looks like a plate of fine wood chips impregnated with synthetic glue. The latter contains a phenol-formaldehyde resin with toxic properties. Subject to the requirements of GOST, the amount of resin present in the furniture is not dangerous, however, if the permissible values ​​are exceeded, serious harm to the body is possible. Do not place a sofa, which has a chipboard base, near a heating source, as this only enhances evaporation. If the boards are coated with protective paint and laminated, they are not dangerous.

    Note! High-quality chipboards not only do not have an unpleasant odor, but can also have the aroma of natural wood.

    new furniture photo
    Such a purchase noticeably refreshes the home interior and makes it more attractive.

  • Filler. The most commonly used filling material is polyurethane foam, which contains toluene. It can be dangerous when burning, and therefore it is better to place furniture away from possible sources of ignition. Also, some of the Chinese-made furniture contains special bags with dimethyl lance, which serve as protection against mold. Once in a warm, dry room, this substance begins to gradually dissolve, leading to allergic reactions and skin irritation.
  • Upholstery. Leather upholstery can acquire toxic properties. This happens when chromium compounds are used in tanning leather, or if analyne, which has a strong aroma, was used during dyeing.

The most common is the release of phenol and formaldehyde, which can be recognized by a pungent odor. The next most common are methanol, ammonia and acetone.

new furniture in the interior
In most cases, the purchased headset exudes a very specific aroma that cannot be eliminated.

Important! If you do not get rid of any of these substances in time, then there is a risk of carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on the body.

What can be the consequences of breathing dirty air

Formaldehyde emissions are especially intense in the first few months after buying furniture. In addition to it, in furniture production, varnishes, laminate, decorative tiles and other materials are used that are capable of releasing xylene, methanol, toluene and other substances.

new home furniture
For starters, it makes sense to find out why new furniture smells unpleasant.

Among the symptoms of poisoning with these toxic elements, the following are found:

  • pain in the eyes;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • trouble focusing attention;
  • headache;
  • pneumonia;
  • allergic reactions;
  • worsening asthma symptoms;
  • decreased performance;
  • exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Formaldehyde also increases the tendency to form cancerous tumors.

formaldehyde in furniture
Correct determination of the cause of the appearance of an unwanted aroma will help to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Important! To avoid such unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to purchase furniture with a quality certificate of the European group of standards E1 and eco-label "Leaf of Life" (the most popular option for Russia).

How to remove smell from new furniture

To effectively get rid of a specific smell, it is best to leave the apartment to ventilate for a few days.

aeration
It is necessary to get rid of the pungent obsessive smell coming from the newly purchased furniture as soon as possible, especially if small children live in the apartment.

Important! Sprays and air fresheners should not be used as chemical overloads in the air can easily be achieved.

Before you get rid of the smell of new chipboard furniture at home, the room must be prepared as follows:

  1. Remove all unnecessary things from the room in which the sofa is located. Ideally, the room can be cleared for a couple of weeks.
  2. Remove carpets that have excellent odor absorption properties.
  3. Vacuum the room and upholstered furniture thoroughly. You need to clean the space near the legs, the back and the inside of the sofa.
  4. Open a window or window and leave it on all the time or close it periodically. Air conditioning will not help in this situation.
vacuum the furniture
Correct determination of the cause of the appearance of an unwanted aroma will help to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Note! If after prolonged airing the smell does not become less sharp and intense, then it is better to return the furniture to the manufacturer. If the documents speak of its proper quality, then an independent examination can be carried out to identify violations.

Disposal with specialized means

First of all, the furniture should be inspected for open ends or damage to the laminate layer. They can serve as a source of aroma. In this case, you should purchase melamine tape at a furniture store and glue all chips and joints with it, and cover the treated surface with furniture wax or acrylic varnish on top.

melamine tape
You can get rid of the smell of new furniture on your own.

You can use more technological means, such as an ozonizer. This device releases ozone from the air, which effectively neutralizes unpleasant odors. In addition, the device contributes to air disinfection. He only needs a couple of hours of work.

ozonizer
To remove the smell from new furniture as soon as possible, you should use special household appliances that purify and humidify the air.

Quite effective and specialized liquid detergent for odor elimination. You can find it at your hardware or hardware store. The liquid is a concentrate that should be diluted according to the label and applied to all furniture surfaces. The result is a film that will contain the odor.

odor remover
To remove the unpleasant odor that new wood furniture exudes, professional store-bought liquids will help.

Note! It is strongly discouraged to use such a liquid product for allergy sufferers.

Folk methods of deliverance

Before you get rid of the smell of new furniture in an apartment, you need to decide on its material. The following absorbent substances are applicable for items with soft upholstery:

  • freshly cut citrus zest;
  • ground coffee, can be mixed with vanilla;
  • baking soda;
  • scented soap;
  • canvas bags filled with sea salt, can be scented;
  • a sheet soaked in a solution of hydrogen peroxide or vinegar and wrung out thoroughly.
bags of salt
This is an easy, homemade way to get rid of the smell of new furniture.

These funds must be placed directly on the upholstery for several days. Loose substances are removed using a vacuum cleaner.

For furniture made of chipboard without upholstery, the following methods are used:

  1. Tea bags. Only unused copies should be used. They must be spread out on all corners and shelves of furniture and left for three to four days.
  2. Activated or charcoal. It is used by analogy with tea bags.
  3. Flavored sachets. It can also be laid out on the shelves. It is optimal if their content is of natural origin. For example, it can be herbal preparations.
bags of herbs
Fragrant herbal preparations will help to get rid of the annoying smell of new furniture.

New furniture can also be washed to neutralize odors. For this, a solution of lemon juice or table vinegar is suitable, a few drops of which are mixed with warm water.

Note! It is worth paying close attention to the behavior of pets, which are more sensitive to odors than humans. If animals continue to avoid the furniture after processing the furniture, then the furniture should be returned, as it can pose a threat to health.

lemon juice
Lemon juice will destroy the smell when it dries.

How to get rid of the musty smell

The main reason for the musty smell of old furniture is the activity of fungi and bacteria. They begin to develop if the product is kept in a room with high humidity and poor ventilation for a long time. To prevent the reappearance of the smell, you must:

  • regularly ventilate the room;
  • periodically open furniture doors to ventilate the interior;
  • place furniture in such a way that free circulation of air flows around it;
  • move all furniture a little away from the walls;
  • carry out systematic cleaning, avoiding the accumulation of dust.
how to get rid of the smell of furniture
A musty smell usually comes from new furniture that has been in a damp room for a long period of time.

Homemade antibacterial agents can be used to remove the musty odor.

"Whiteness", vinegar, potassium permanganate

Chlorine-based bleaching agents, which include "Whiteness", are quite effective. They must be mixed with water in a ratio of one to five. The resulting liquid can only be used in remote areas, since chlorine compounds cause discoloration of the facing materials.

white
If done correctly, after two to three days it will be possible to completely get rid of the musty smell that comes from the furniture.

Note! Chlorinated products are not recommended for upholstered furniture, as its upholstery may lose its original color.

Vinegar can be used to remove odors from deep inside the cabinet. An apple cider is more effective, but a table one is also suitable. Its tablespoon must be mixed with half a glass of water, then wipe all surfaces, corners and joints of the product with the resulting composition. Then you should walk with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.

wipe the closet
Vinegar penetrates into the thickness of the material, destroying microorganisms, but it is important not to use too wet rags in order to prevent new growth of bacteria.

Potassium permanganate solution acts similarly to a bite. It should be pale pink so as not to stain the surface.

Important! A solution of potassium permanganate should not be used for light furniture, as there is a risk of getting yellowish spots.

Sorbents

Active sorbents are effective enough to remove musty odors. These include:

  • citrus peels;
  • ground coffee;
  • crushed activated carbon;
  • baking soda powder;
  • sea ​​or table salt;
  • lemon acid.

Sorbents should be placed inside and at the corners of furniture. It is better to do this after treatment with a soda solution, which is prepared on the basis of a spoonful of baking soda mixed with a glass of water. All surfaces are wiped with it, which are then wiped dry with a cloth.

soda solution
Contrary to popular belief, it is not at all necessary to wait for the smell of new furniture to disappear from the apartment.

Essential oil spray

The antibacterial spray contains:

  • two glasses of warm water;
  • two glasses of apple cider vinegar or table vinegar;
  • a few drops of any essential oil.

The ingredients are mixed and the resulting solution is poured into a spray bottle, with which all furniture surfaces are processed. After processing, the boxes and doors must be left open until completely dry.

essential oil spray
Any essential oil will cleanse the air from the musty aroma quite well.

Ways to get rid of the smell of leather furniture

To eliminate the smell of new leather furniture, you must:

  1. Ventilate the room. The first few days it is advisable to do this constantly, after - as often as possible.
  2. Remove from the room with the sofa all objects that absorb odor well, so as not to eliminate the odor from them as well. These can be curtains and carpets, especially wool.
  3. Sprinkle the surface of the furniture with baking soda and leave for a day. Then shake off and vacuum. If there is a result, but it is not sufficient, then the procedure can be repeated.
  4. Lay out various sorbents on the furniture and under it: tea bags, aromatic sachets with herbs, ground coffee.
herbal sachet
A mixture of dried herbs can be used as a flavoring agent. Mint, thyme, sage, chamomile will cope most effectively with the problem.

Important! Coffee is not recommended for treating light leather furniture as it can stain it.

If the above agents, which must be used in combination, are ineffective, then chemistry should be used. It is best to use a professional leather cleaner and care product to avoid damaging the material.

furniture spray
It is worth noting that the leather is treated with very persistent chemicals, so it will take a long time to completely get rid of the unwanted odor.

Before getting rid of the smell, if new furniture smells, you should prepare the room and thoroughly ventilate it. If the use of absorbent and chemical agents turned out to be ineffective and the smell persists, then it is better to return the furniture to the store under warranty, as this indicates its low quality and unsafeness. Continuing to use products with a characteristic pungent aroma, you can get tangible harm to your health.

new wraparound furniture
The tips discussed above will help you get rid of the smell of furniture as soon as possible.

Video: how to eliminate the smell of new furniture in an apartment

Furniture

Kitchen

Life hacks