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.

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.

  

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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