How to get rid of the smell of new furniture

Causes of odor

Before you begin to combat the smell, you should determine its cause. Thanks to this approach, getting rid of the unpleasant aroma will be most effective. There are several reasons why it occurs. And we can start from them in further actions.

Most often the material smells unpleasant. Most furniture is made from chipboard or solid wood. And a specific aroma is emitted due to the painting or varnishing of the material.

New chipboard furniture usually smells unpleasant.

Sometimes the furniture begins to smell peculiarly musty. This is due to the fact that she spent a long time in a room with high humidity. Sometimes it even penetrates through a layer of upholstery, and then it is especially difficult to get rid of.

Leather furniture also sometimes gives off a smell that is not pleasant to everyone. It occurs as a result of chemical treatment of the sheathing material. This smell is one of the most tart and difficult to remove.

New leather furniture can also emit an unpleasant odor.

It is recommended to choose your own approach for each reason and situation. Then getting rid of the smell of new furniture will be quite quick. And after that you can begin to fully enjoy the new thing.

What are the consequences of breathing dirty air?

Formaldehyde emissions are especially intense in the first few months after purchasing furniture. In addition to it, furniture production uses varnishes, laminates, decorative tiles and other materials that can release xylene, methanol, toluene and other substances.

To begin with, it makes sense to find out why new furniture smells bad.

Symptoms of poisoning by these toxic elements include the following:

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

Formaldehyde also increases the tendency to form cancerous tumors.

Correctly identifying the cause of an unwanted odor will help you 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 the “Leaf of Life” eco-label (the most popular option for Russia).

Consequences of breathing polluted air

In addition to the discomfort that is created when sensing a specific smell, it also has a detrimental effect on human health. The fact is that the chemicals used to treat new furniture contain toxic elements . Over time, they end up in the air of the room, and then the whole apartment.

When inhaled, they can settle on human internal organs. Chemicals cannot cause any fatal harm to the human body. However, hosts may subsequently develop respiratory problems. And when you are in a room with new furniture, you will experience dizziness or a migraine.

It is very important to get rid of unpleasant odors from furniture

For this reason, the task of getting rid of the smell of new furniture is so important. Even if a person likes the way it smells. It will still have a negative impact on his condition. And the sooner he starts fighting the smell, the better it will be in the end.

Why does a new sofa smell?

The base of the sofa can be a source of discomfort, since it is often made of chipboard. This board is made from small wood chips, which are glued together with synthetic glue. This glue contains harmful and odorous formaldehyde resin. Laminated or painted boards smell less.

Another reason is the use of dimethyl fumarate. Crystals in special bags prevent the development of mold, but in a warm room with a low percentage of humidity they begin to emit an unpleasant odor. In addition, the evaporated substance has a detrimental effect on the body.

The upholstery of the sofa, which is painted a certain color, can also smell. If poor quality paint is used in production, the new furniture will be a source of discomfort.

Household methods for getting rid of odor

There are many ways to combat the specific smell of new furniture. The most obvious is to interrupt him with others. And there is already a lot of variety. There are various devices designed for this. Special means or just time are also suitable. Below we will present the most popular and effective ways to get rid of the smell of new furniture.

Expectation

Instead of dealing with the unpleasant odor directly, you can simply let it dissipate. Over time, the smell will definitely go away. And if you constantly ventilate a room with furniture, this will happen faster.

By airing the room, you can wait until the smell disappears

This method is suitable for those homeowners who are not bothered by the specific smell at all. Suitable for any cause of odor, and it can take more than a month. And for other people, faster-acting methods will be more preferable, but with the use of additional means.

Technical solution

You can get rid of the smell of new furniture using an appropriate technical device. The most suitable device for this task will be an ozonizer. It synthesizes ozone from oxygen in the room. This element will be able to get rid of any unpleasant aroma in a short time.

In just a few hours of operation, a portable ozonizer will remove the specific smell of new furniture. At the same time, it will clean the air in the room and rid it of harmful elements that come from it.

The ozonizer will clean the air in the room

However, it should be noted that prolonged operation of the ozonator can negatively affect the condition of people in the room. The portable version cannot cause any real harm to the human body, but it can easily cause headaches. This is due to the fact that ozone in large quantities is toxic. Therefore, you should be careful with the device.

Portable ozonator

The cost of a portable ozonizer starts from three thousand rubles, which will be more expensive compared to other ways to get rid of the smell of new furniture. But along with the price, the effectiveness of this approach is extremely high.

Purchased funds

To get rid of the specific aroma of varnished surfaces of purchased furniture, various purchased products are suitable. There are a lot of them on sale, their prices are quite low.

The product must be used according to the instructions indicated on the package. Most often, to start working, the liquid must be diluted with water in certain proportions. And then apply it to the surface of new furniture. Regular rags or special rollers are suitable for this. Here you need to be careful, it is advisable not to touch the soft upholstery.

Wipe furniture with a special odor remover

After application, give the liquid time to dry. As a result, the product should form an unnoticeable film on the furniture. Now you need to ventilate the room. After the smell of the liquid goes away, the specific aroma of the furniture will also disappear.

This method is only suitable for products made of chipboard, plastic or solid wood. Such liquids can cause a negative reaction in people prone to allergies, so they are not suitable for everyone.

These products are suitable for chipboard furniture

Getting rid of the smell of new furniture using household products is extremely simple and quick. It is enough to turn on the ozonizer for several hours. Apply the appropriate solution to the surface of the furniture and let it dry. This does not require special skills or tools.

Get rid of the smell of new furniture using a specialized product

To get rid of the problem and determine how to get rid of the smell of new furniture the first time, you need to use a ready-made solution.

If the source of the unpleasant odor is upholstered furniture, spread out the sofas and armchairs as much as possible and ventilate the room.

Since odors penetrate very deeply and firmly into the fabric, getting rid of them on your own will be quite problematic.

An ozonator will help to completely get rid of the smell and freshen the air in the room. It works quickly and effectively, also eliminating the odors of old furniture. The principle of operation of the product is based on the elimination of unpleasant odor molecules by spraying ozone into the air.

Removing odors from upholstered furniture can be quite a painstaking task if it smells musty.

Just before you begin the manipulation, check the effect of the products on the back of the sofa, because... Some types of upholstery can be deformed by concentrated liquids.

Look at the percentage of natural composition and give preference to furniture with a simple design.

The ozonizer has an obvious advantage, but due to its high cost, not every consumer can afford it. An alternative is to use a liquid that is sprayed onto the surface of new furniture and forms a film on it that prevents the release of odors. This liquid is not recommended as a remedy for allergy sufferers. In addition, it is not suitable for upholstered furniture. There is also a budget-friendly way to ensure a safe environment in the room.

If a similar aroma is emitted by new furniture, most likely it has been in conditions of high humidity and dampness for a long time.

Simply spray the stain generously with vinegar or odor remover and wait until it dries completely.

A measure to prevent unpleasant odors is to purchase tested furniture.

A measure to prevent unpleasant odors is to purchase tested furniture. While in the cabin, pay attention to the nature of the air. If you have difficulty breathing and feel an unpleasant admixture of toxin, it is better not to buy this piece of furniture so that it does not become your potential enemy. Look at the percentage of natural composition and give preference to furniture with a simple design.

Instead of citrus peels, you can place a saucer with salt in the room or use special aromatic sachets with essential oils.

As a last resort, you can resort to store-bought sachets and air fresheners.

New furniture can emit various hazardous substances - ammonia, methanol, styrene, acetone and others.

Ways to get rid of the smell of new furniture using improvised means

It is not necessary to spend money on an ozonizer or special products to get rid of the smell of new furniture. You can use the waiting method, but include available means in it. Food, grocery items and other things that can be found in any apartment can help overcome the smell. The advantage of such methods is their low cost, because you don’t have to buy anything in addition. However, it will take longer . Let's look at the most popular ways to get rid of the specific aroma of purchased furniture using improvised means.

Odor-absorbing agents

If the varnished surfaces of furniture emit an unpleasant odor, it will be easy to get rid of it by absorption. A suitable means for this would be a tea bag. Table salt can also be used.

In the room in which the furniture is located, these components should be placed everywhere. And on herself too. Along the entire perimeter of the sofa or along all the shelves of the closet.

Table salt will absorb unpleasant odors

Over the course of a few days, tea bags or bags of table salt will be able to absorb the unpleasant odor. After getting rid of it, the room should be ventilated for 24 hours. Additionally, it is recommended to treat the surface of new furniture with a weak solution of lemon juice.

Getting rid of musty smell

Leaving furniture in a room with high humidity for a long time can cause a specific odor. In this case, standard methods of dealing with it will be ineffective. We should approach this problem from a different angle.

First you need to lay out the furniture so that it is in the most open state. In this form, it should stand all day, be sure to open the windows in the room.

The next step will be to warm up the furniture from the inside. To do this, just close the windows and turn on the heater, fireplace or wind blower. You should also lay out citrus peels that are not yet dry in the room. They do a good job of eliminating otherworldly odors in the room.

Fresh citrus peels will help cope with unpleasant odors

As a result of these actions, you will be able to get rid of the smell of new furniture. An alternative to citrus peels is an open container with concentrated or slightly diluted vinegar.

Removing unpleasant odors from leather furniture

The smell of leather furniture can come not only from wooden surfaces, but also from the upholstery. In this case, standard methods of getting rid of it are simply not applicable. And the use of special products can damage leather upholstery.

The first step is to open up the sofa or chair and ventilate it like that for one day. Afterwards, a container of freshly ground coffee will help get rid of the smell.

Freshly ground coffee neutralizes the smell of new leather furniture

You can use aromatic soap instead. It should be placed on leather upholstery. Special products are also sold for such products. However, you need to be extremely careful when choosing them and take only those that are suitable for working with leather.

Leather furniture can also be treated with special products.

How to get rid of odor

The problem of a specific smell from new furniture can be solved using available products and special chemicals.

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Folk remedies and their use

Folk remedies are a budget alternative to special compounds and devices that help get rid of the smell of new furniture.

First of all, after purchasing upholstered furniture, you need to unfold it, open all the doors and drawers of the cabinet so that all hidden places are ventilated. If the weather permits, you need to open the windows and leave them open for a while, at least for a few hours. Of course, if the air temperature outside has dropped to -25 degrees and a snowstorm is blowing, you shouldn’t do this.

Handy means to eliminate odor:

You can put tea bags or bags of salt in the corners of shelves and drawers, as well as on upholstered furniture. They do an excellent job of eliminating unpleasant odors. After 12-24 hours, the bags can be thrown away and the room ventilated again.
Orange peels are an excellent way to combat unpleasant odors. They are placed around the furniture and left for several hours, and then the apartment is ventilated.
If upholstered furniture smells damp, it needs a draft. You can place the sofa on the balcony if the climate allows, or simply leave the windows open all day. After this, the upholstered furniture should be placed near the heater, all windows should be closed and not only the furniture, but also the apartment should be thoroughly dried.
Many forums recommend using a vinegar solution to get rid of furniture “aroma.” We advise you to think several times before placing a saucer of vinegar near a new piece of furniture. Yes, it will really do the job, but it will be much more difficult and longer to eliminate the smell of vinegar. Plus, it is unsafe if there are animals in the house.
Tea and salt mixture. Large leaf tea is mixed with salt in a 1:1 ratio. The mixture is placed in small containers and placed on the shelves of racks, cabinets, and kitchen units. Once the smell is eliminated, the containers are removed.
Fragrant essential oils have long been popular in the care of upholstered furniture. If a new sofa, armchair, sofa or ottoman “smells”, you need to remove all pillows and removable covers, assemble the furniture and place open jars of essential oils under all removable elements.
Upholstered furniture, including leather, will quickly stop emitting aroma if bags of coffee beans are placed around and on top.

READ ALSO: A device for combating unpleasant “odors” - an odor absorber for rooms: which one is better to buy and how to make it yourself

Special means

Currently, stores selling household chemicals are ready to offer special products that eliminate unpleasant odors: destroyers, absorbers and fresheners. There are separate products for wood, chipboard, plastic, as well as furniture made of leather and textiles.

Their advantages: convenience and economy of use, favorable price, pleasant smell. However, the own aromas of these products can cause allergies in household members, and this is their only drawback.

Liquid for eliminating odors has become increasingly common. It is used for furniture made of wood or plastic. The essence of the work is simple: it creates a kind of invisible film on the body and “blocks” the release of unwanted aromas.

Which way to get rid of the smell of new furniture to choose?

There are really a lot of ways to get rid of the smell of new furniture. They all vary in effectiveness, as well as the amount of time and resources spent. The above are some of the most suitable for different situations. But even when choosing from them, you should focus on several factors.

Firstly, on the budget. Buying a portable ozonizer is the most expensive and effective way to get rid of the smell of new furniture. In two hours the specific aroma will be gone. And the cheapest way is to use improvised means.

Secondly, the reason for the odor. If it comes from the upholstery, due to the chemicals with which it was treated, then methods for wooden or plastic surfaces will not be suitable. You should be careful at this point, since incorrect actions can add a new smell to the existing one, which will be much more difficult to deal with.

And thirdly, the availability of available means. If you choose this method of getting rid of the smell of new furniture, then you should choose the most suitable variation. For example, if there are no tea bags, then table salt will do. Or vice versa.

All methods of getting rid of the smell of purchased furniture are effective in different ways. And they are not suitable for all causes of its occurrence. Therefore, before choosing, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the specifics of a particular method. Then you will be able to choose the most suitable one.

If these principles are followed, the owner will be able to choose the best way to combat the specific smell of new furniture from those already presented.

Causes of odor

Over the past decade, manufacturers have been releasing more environmentally friendly and healthier products, but these products are usually expensive. More affordable models often contain substances that have an unpleasant odor. These are all kinds of wood impregnations, glue for assembly, paint for upholstery. To get rid of the smell of new furniture, you need to accurately understand the reasons for its occurrence, otherwise you risk spending a lot of time and money, but never achieving results.

Formaldehyde

The toxic substance is contained in various components of cabinet furniture made of chipboard, while manufacturers cannot completely abandon it. Conscientious companies only regulate the permissible concentration according to GOST, which will not be hazardous to health. Formaldehyde is part of the resins that bind chips in chipboard, MDF, laminated chipboard, as well as varnishes, leather treatment products or leatherette for upholstery. If possible, before purchasing in a store, you need to check for any foreign odors, and choose models that do not have open fragments of chips at the ends. The edges and edges of high-quality products are treated with finishing materials; they prevent the spread of harmful fumes.

How to get rid of the smell of new furniture: a list of methods (+ video)

Attempts to mask the smell will only lead to it returning with renewed vigor over time. In addition, the smell can be not only unpleasant, but also dangerous if we are talking about toxic fumes from glue, formaldehyde or phenol.

Therefore, it needs to be removed, and for this you need to fight the source of the stench. For such purposes, several techniques can be used:

it’s a banal wait until the smell disappears on its own, but you can try to speed up this process by airing the furniture as often as possible (you can put it on the balcony or outside, or just often keep the windows open in the room where it is);
You can contact specialists at a cleaning company; specialists from such companies are engaged in washing and laundering furniture from chemical residues;
you can use folk remedies that are safe and easy to use, but their effectiveness is quite low;
Much more effective are purchased chemical products of a specialized type, that is, aimed specifically at cleaning furniture;
Another option is to use air purifiers, but they do not so much solve the problem as “mask” the unpleasant odor.

Contacting a cleaning company’s specialists is the most acceptable option if you do not want to further aggravate the problem, or if you are unable to cope on your own. But the cost of services from a cleaning company is high and can reach several thousand rubles.

Waiting and frequent ventilation

If the problem is tolerable and the smell does not affect your health or the health of your loved ones in any way, just wait until it disappears on its own. At most, you can frequently ventilate the room where the furniture is located.

The effect may be insufficient, and then it is advisable to take the product out onto the balcony or, even better, outside for several days. If this is not possible, then take the product to the vestibule or landing (but this is fraught with theft).

Slightly smelling furniture can be masked using lemon juice or store-bought fragrances. Products made with citrus fruits (lemon, orange) or apple juice are best at masking odors.

Cleaning company services

Perhaps this is the most expensive solution to the problem, but also the most effective. Use the services of a cleaning company only as a last resort, when other methods have not helped, or the stench is too strong and causes health problems.

Cleaning companies do not provide any guarantees, so in rare cases it is possible to return furniture without results in odor removal. Unfortunately, in this case, only returning the product and purchasing a new one will help.

Cleaning companies carry out double processing of furniture: they wash and launder individual elements of the product. The cleaning procedure may take several days, but the result is impressive - in 99% of cases the problem is completely eliminated.

Be prepared for large expenses, as sometimes services from cleaning companies cost 2-4 thousand rubles. The final cost is determined individually depending on the size of the product, the specifics and intensity of the unpleasant odor, as well as its causes.

Folk remedies

There are dozens of folk remedies to solve this problem, but only a small number of them are truly effective. According to users on the Internet, the most effective methods are:

Place tea bags or bags of salt in the corners of drawers and furniture shelves. They act as absorbents and absorb particles that emit an unpleasant odor. The bags need to be replaced every 12 hours.
You can place orange peels around the furniture, which act as absorbents and at the same time aromas.
If there is a smell of dampness, then you need to create draft conditions. To do this, we place the product on the balcony, or open the windows and doors in the room, creating an artificial draft.
You can treat the most unpleasantly smelling areas with a vinegar solution, but we do not recommend doing this, since subsequently one smell will be replaced by another (vinegar).
You can use fragrant essential oils to mask the stench. All removable furniture elements should be removed and placed next to open jars filled with fragrant essential oils for 5-6 hours.
To combat the stench of upholstered furniture, you can place bags filled with coffee beans around it. This method is especially effective for leather products. Instead of coffee beans, you can use lemon slices (fresh, dried slices are ineffective).

Using chemicals to clean furniture

Modern household chemical stores have a huge number of products in their arsenal aimed at combating stench. There are odor destroyers, fresheners, maskers and absorbers (absorbents) on the market.

There are specialized products for wood, for plastic materials, for furniture made of leather or textiles, for chipboard. The advantages of such products are comparatively cheap, pleasant smell, good performance and ease of use.

It is recommended to use chemicals as a last resort, as they are “aggressive” and toxic

There is only one drawback - they are chemicals and can negatively affect people's health. In particular, many chemicals cause allergies or even autoimmune reactions in people predisposed to them (old people, children).

There is even an odor removing liquid designed to treat wooden or plastic furniture parts. It works on this principle: the liquid creates an invisible film that traps unpleasant odors.

Air purifiers

Air purifiers work on the principle of pumping indoor air through a complex system of filters. As a result, the air contaminated with unpleasant-smelling particles at the outlet of the purifier becomes either normal (odorless at all) or pleasantly smelling (if the filters are supplemented with flavorings).

Air purifiers are good for masking the problem, but they don't solve it. Sometimes it’s even dangerous to use them, because if the stench is caused by formaldehyde, then masking the smell will simply make the problem worse . You will continue to use furniture that is toxic, completely forgetting about it.

It is advisable to use cleaners only if you are absolutely sure that the stench from the furniture is not hazardous to health, and it is difficult to determine this on your own.