Bought a new 5th wheel.i believe I am getting bad headaches when in camper from new smells, probably formaldehyde. We have opened up for weeks, ran fans, closed up and ran heater high. We purchased "no-odor" and placed in camper. Does anyone have any other ideas, we are headed out on first trip and don't want to have a headache every day. Don't want to try to cover smell up with anything flowery or perfumes. Have any ideas?

Sounds to me you are doing everything right... Other than TIME there is not much I can advise... Ozone might help... or not... Sadly There is a lot of Spray Foam (like Great Stuff foam filler sealant) and other insulation in RV's that is based on the stuff and it takes a while to bake out,

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Does_anyone_have_experience_with_neutralization_of_formaldehyde

Two methods: 1 put 3 or 4 saucers or shallow bowls filled with vinegar in the space and let it sit for a week. Then remove the saucers and air out the space. 2nd sift baking soda on all surfaces. Let sit for a few days then vacuum the material surfaces and wipe the hard surfaces. Air out the space for a day.This should help with your problem.

bgum wrote:Two methods: 1 put 3 or 4 saucers or shallow bowls filled with vinegar in the space and let it sit for a week. Then remove the saucers and air out the space. 2nd sift baking soda on all surfaces. Let sit for a few days then vacuum the material surfaces and wipe the hard surfaces. Air out the space for a day.This should help with your problem.Okay I will tip my friend neighbor with those tricks.

formaldehyde smell | Good Sam Community

wgriswold
Explorer
Mar 15, 2022
Ozone generator?
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Mar 15, 2022
Sounds to me you are doing everything right... Other than TIME there is not much I can advise... Ozone might help... or not... Sadly There is a lot of Spray Foam (like Great Stuff foam filler sealant) and other insulation in RV's that is based on the stuff and it takes a while to bake out,
jdc1
Explorer II
Mar 15, 2022
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Does_anyone_have_experience_with_neutralization_of_formaldehyde
bgum
Explorer
Mar 15, 2022
Two methods: 1 put 3 or 4 saucers or shallow bowls filled with vinegar in the space and let it sit for a week. Then remove the saucers and air out the space. 2nd sift baking soda on all surfaces. Let sit for a few days then vacuum the material surfaces and wipe the hard surfaces. Air out the space for a day.

This should help with your problem.
slider45
Nomad
Mar 16, 2022
bgum wrote:
Two methods: 1 put 3 or 4 saucers or shallow bowls filled with vinegar in the space and let it sit for a week. Then remove the saucers and air out the space. 2nd sift baking soda on all surfaces. Let sit for a few days then vacuum the material surfaces and wipe the hard surfaces. Air out the space for a day.

This should help with your problem.

Okay I will tip my friend neighbor with those tricks.
Downunda
Explorer
Mar 16, 2022
A new trailer we bought a few years ago had the same problem, in our case we pinpointed the problem to the Chinese made mattress giving off the formaldehyde smell.
The trailer manufacturer (Jayco Australia) denied there was a problem so we just ditched the mattress and bought a locally made one and the problem was solved.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2022
make sure your batteries are not boiling ,they put of a nasty smell.
way2roll
Navigator II
Mar 16, 2022
Downunda wrote:
A new trailer we bought a few years ago had the same problem, in our case we pinpointed the problem to the Chinese made mattress giving off the formaldehyde smell.
The trailer manufacturer (Jayco Australia) denied there was a problem so we just ditched the mattress and bought a locally made one and the problem was solved.

We bought a MH new in 2012 that had the same smell and it was the cheap mattress also. Swapped it out for a memory foam and the smell immediately went away. The mattress was uncomfortable anyway.

Ozone generator might work to rid the rest of the off-gassing from all the other VOC's but just use caution and read the instructions when using Ozone. It can be harmful to your health if not done properly.
ReneeG
Explorer
Mar 16, 2022
midnightsadie wrote:
make sure your batteries are not boiling ,they put of a nasty smell.

Battery off gasses are sulphur like smells or rotten eggs and not anything like formaldehyde.
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 17, 2022
Pretty much nothing to do other than air it out as much as you can and give it time.

Anything else may cover the smell but it will still be there, so assuming the headaches are not psychosomatic, you will still get them.

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