formaldehyde smell

[Kentucky_Joe]

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?

[dedmiston]

My wife has a large scented candle in a jar that the puts out every day when we get to camp. She used to light the candle when the RV was new, but now she just sets it on the counter and opens the lid.

At first it was to mask the "new trailer" smell. Now I think it's just to cover up any of life's scents (two dogs, me, holding tanks, ..., me, ...).

[NamMedevac_70]

The stuff can be very dangerous to your lungs and overall health even with mild amount of fumes just in case you. I have had very brief exposures to very strong fumes many years ago in an EMS setting with instant headaches and burning eyes and nose.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1734514206850757&type=3

[valhalla360]

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.

[ReneeG]

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.

[way2roll]

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.

[midnightsadie]

make sure your batteries are not boiling ,they put of a nasty smell.

[Downunda]

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.

[slider45]

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.

[bgum]

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.

[jdc1]

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

[wa8yxm]

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,

[wgriswold]

Ozone generator?