The problem of formaldehyde is now very common, and, unfortunately, practically no one offers a solution to this problem. Environmentalists just shrug their shoulders, assuring that formaldehyde smell is not eliminated either by air purifiers or by special means.
But there is a way to get rid of formaldehyde odors, and everyone can quite simply ensure the safety of their family in their home, office, etc. We will discuss in this article that what formaldehyde is, what effect does it have on a person, where does it come from, and how to remove formaldehyde from furniture?
What Is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound of the aldehyde family. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent odor at room temperature. It is used in the production of various building materials and in the production of furniture.
Formaldehyde is also a by-product of combustion. Some natural phenomena produce it in considerable quantities, so it is present in considerable concentrations both in indoor environments and also in the outdoor environment.
What Are the Main Sources of Formaldehyde?
The adhesives used in pressed wood are the most important indoor source of formaldehyde. These resins and adhesives release formaldehyde over time. It can be emitted, therefore, from chipboard and plywood furniture, especially when they are new. Other sources of formaldehyde are clothing and upholstery, as it is also used in fabric printing treatments.
This toxic chemical is also one of the countless volatile substances emitted by tobacco smoke. Also, formaldehyde in carpet, building materials (such as urea-formaldehyde-based insulating foams), and in numerous common products, such as cleaning products, dyes, disinfectants, plastics, glues, and paints are sources of formaldehyde.
What Are the Health Effects of Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is very soluble in water and therefore easily causes irritation to the mucous membranes it comes into contact with. The organs most affected are the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory tract. Redness of the eyes, conjunctivitis, and swelling of the eyelids are among the main effects of exposure to formaldehyde.
Bronchial hyperactivity and asthma are effects of formaldehyde exposure. Fatigue, distress, headaches, nausea, sleepiness, or dizziness are neurological effects of formaldehyde.
How to Get Rid of Formaldehyde Smell From Furniture?
Let It Breathe
Since formaldehyde in furniture and upholstery fabrics, especially synthetics, ventilating this new sofa before use is a good way to get rid of a lot of chemical odors from the material before placing the furniture in its intended place room. If possible, take your furniture outdoors, such as on a veranda on a breezy day. Sunlight or warm dry air heats the material, releasing a chemical that flushes most of it out of the fabric.
Leave furniture outside or in a well-ventilated room with windows open and fans pulling air out of the room for a day or so. Remove plastic or coverings from new furniture immediately in a well-ventilated area to allow the fabric to breathe.
Air Cleaning
Air purification is one way of trapping formaldehyde as waste gases, which reduces your chances of inhaling it. Activated traditional carbon filters air purifiers are designed to reduce and remove VOCs from indoor air. Install a purifier in every room with formaldehyde-containing furniture to improve air quality.
Not all air purifiers remove VOCs; only best air purifier for VOCs and formaldehyde can remove volatile organic compounds. So, check the package before purchasing to make sure you receive it. Some houseplants also remove VOCs from home and the air. Research by Dr. Bill Wolverton for NASA has shown that Boston fern removes this chemical from the air more effectively than dozens of other plants tested.
Shut Off Sources of Odor
After purchasing, carefully inspect the furniture, paying special attention to how its ends look. Some models have large enough areas that have not been varnished or laminated. The smell comes from furniture if there are open sections of chipboard, from which the smell of formaldehyde can enter the air.
To cope with the problem, treat the ends yourself: for example, you can stick a special furniture edge on them or use a silicone sealant. Even small holes in the case left after assembly can be a source of the odor. As a rule, the problem can be solved by pasting them with furniture stickers that match the color.
Create Optimal Temperature and Humidity
If the room is too hot and dry, the formaldehyde from particleboard and MDF will be released more intensively. Try to place furniture away from the battery. If the indoor air is too dry, use a humidifier. This is especially important if the furniture contains solid wood elements.
To prevent the wood from cracking, the humidity level should not fall below 40%. To maintain a normal microclimate in the room, regular ventilation is also important. If possible, open all doors and drawers in the furniture and ventilate the area for several hours to help reduce or eliminate odors.
Powder Fresh
Sprinkle baking soda on the upholstery to remove stubborn odors. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the fabric and let it sit for about an hour, then vacuum it with clean air or a HEPA filter. This baking soda treatment refreshes the fabric, which takes on a stale smell over time without the need for chemical cleaners.
Conclusion
It is very important to remove the formaldehyde from furniture because when formaldehyde heats up then it produces more and more formaldehyde fumes into the room.
If you are concerned about breathing or being around such chemicals then air purifiers, household products, weather, and fresh air are the effective formaldehyde removal in furniture.
If you have any questions related to how to remove formaldehyde from furniture then you can ask us in the comment section below.
Related Post: