TOP 10 ways and what better to do if the linoleum stinks strongly
After repairs, the question often arises of what to do if the linoleum stinks. The first step is to determine the nature of the unpleasant aroma. If the flooring is new and of good quality, the smell will go away on its own after a few days. Otherwise, you can try to get rid of the chemical smell using simple techniques.
The nature of smell
Quite often, new linoleum has an unpleasant chemical smell. In order to avoid this, it is recommended to sniff it when choosing a floor covering, this will help determine its quality. But this method does not always work. In some situations, the aroma of linoleum becomes so strong that it affects the state of the household.
The nature of the smell of new linoleum is almost always the same. Differences are observed only in the degree of its severity. The smell is chemical, slightly reminiscent of the smell of rubber.
Basic ventilation methods
The easiest and most effective way to get rid of an unpleasant odor is to air it out.But if it is too strong, even prolonged diffusion will not bring the desired results.
In this case, it is recommended to use scented candles, or to treat linoleum with a vinegar solution.
Aeration
Ventilating the room often helps get rid of the chemical smell from the floor. This method does not require financial costs, therefore it is the most popular. It is recommended to straighten the linoleum before laying it, turning its front side down. After that, ventilate the room. In this position, the linoleum should stand for an average of 2-3 days.
Candles
Using candles is not an easy method, as the process itself requires constant monitoring. This can be inconvenient as the room cannot be left unattended.
Conventional
Conventional candles are used to eliminate unpleasant odors, but this method cannot be called truly effective. The aroma of ordinary candles is not so pronounced, while not everyone will like it.
It is worth noting that it is difficult to completely remove it with ordinary candles. The action is weak, it is achieved due to the fact that chemical compounds are burned in the air. Prolonged use of ordinary candles makes some people dizzy.
Aromatic
Scented candles have the most striking effect in eliminating unpleasant odors. The advantage of this method is that you can choose the fragrance yourself, taking into account your own preferences. For best results, it is recommended to place several candles throughout the apartment. Scented candles cope with this task quite quickly, but for reliability the procedure can be repeated. Then you need to ventilate the room.
Treatment with a vinegar solution
Vinegar is a weak acid and is often used to remove unpleasant odors. The vinegar solution is not applied completely to the entire linoleum, but only to its sections.
The solution will not damage the coating. To improve the result, vinegar is applied to the slices several times.
Using Potassium Permanganate Solution
If the linoleum is light in color, then it is undesirable to use potassium permanganate, since even a weak solution can leave spots and streaks. Potassium permanganate must be diluted with water to obtain a pale pink solution. After that, it is applied to the slices.
A soda
Soda is also often used for bad smells. To do this, you need to wash the floors with the prepared solution. To do this, mix half a glass of soda and a bucket of water. The solution obtained is sufficient to clean the floor, no chemical detergent is added. They are used separately if desired.
Soda is used not only in the form of a solution, but also in a dry form. The soda disperses over the entire surface of the linoleum, after which you need to leave it for a day. During this period, soda absorbs unpleasant odors. After that, remove everything with a vacuum cleaner, then wipe the surface with a damp cloth.
Warming up
Heating the material is advisable only when this manipulation is carried out before laying it. A roll of linoleum is warmed up in advance. This is done simply - the material should be placed near the heating devices. The action is due to the fact that the slices dry out, which eliminates the chemical aroma.
Tape
Using duct tape is an easy way to eliminate unpleasant odors. Such material will be needed to carefully glue the sections, from which the smell actually emanates. It is recommended to mask the glued areas with skirting boards after laying the coating.
Tips & Tricks
If the above methods do not bring the desired result, there are the following recommendations:
- If the chemical smell does not disappear for a long time (more than a month), it is better to completely replace the coating. Leaving smelly linoleum is dangerous, as it affects the condition of residents.
- To speed up the result, an air filter is installed. Additionally, an air freshener is used, which is able to work automatically.
- A quartz lamp will help clean the room of harmful substances. It not only removes chemical compounds, but also helps speed up the odor removal process.
- Using lemon helps remove the aroma in a short time if applied directly to the slices themselves.
The strength of linoleum depends on the material it is made of.Fewer synthetic materials give off the smell of linseed oil and do not cause serious discomfort. This odor is eliminated on its own within a week. If the humidity in the room increases, the specified period increases.
PVC, often used in flooring, also gives off an odor. As a rule, it lasts up to three weeks. If the material is laid face down before laying and left for a few days, this will help ventilate the room as soon as possible.