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Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,921
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

We put oak floors in 2rooms and I found a lovely rug ensemble.  Brought the rugs home and put them down only to quickly realize the larger piece stinks!  I mean it's so bad no one can spend any time in the room.  Can't tell if it's dye? or what but after a day I can't take it anymore.  Put it out in the garage for the night and airing out the room.

 

anyone ever have this happen?  I'm so disappointed. Didn't really like the other colors or patterns except this one.  😒  Guess I'll wrap it up and take them back. The runner doesn't stink at all. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 54,451
Registered: ‎03-29-2012

@Kalli wrote:

We put oak floors in 2rooms and I found a lovely rug ensemble.  Brought the rugs home and put them down only to quickly realize the larger piece stinks!  I mean it's so bad no one can spend any time in the room.  


@Kalli

Does it have a rubber backing or padding?

Also, have you vacuumed it?

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,394
Registered: ‎04-19-2010

Yes, I had a wool rug that smelled terrible, especially if the sun hit it. I vacuumed and tried rug cleaner. Nothing. Asked a knowledgeable rug dealer and she said it likely was the dye. I finally gave the rug to Goodwill but felt a bit guilty passing along the problem.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 25,454
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

I know this sounds kinda "gross".......but lately, I have been giving everything I buy a "good sniff" before I pay for it.    

♥Surface of the Sun♥
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,127
Registered: ‎12-02-2013

@Desertdi:

 

I do the "sniff" test on all fabric items I buy, whether or not they are wool.  Some fabrics get treated for transoceanic shipping; some wools never get cleaned and will stink forever.  

 

Even plastic tic things can reek:  carcinogenic components or elements in their composition---e.g., the black plastic toilet bowl uncloggers come to mind.

 

If it has an unpleasant smell, do not buy it.  

 

If sellers had to return or swallow their smelly losses on the balance sheet, maybe they would practice better quality control and the manufacturers take note.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,658
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

I seriously wonder if these strong chemical smells in fabrics are from pesticides used in the cargo containers on ships for insects, rodents, etc.

 

My Dad was a merchant marine all his life on these cargo ships and said that you wouldn't believe how much chemicals were pumped into them to last the lengthy  overseas trip.

 

SInce a lot of these items come from China and other countries, where pesticides may not be controlled by any type of health or gov't agency, who knows what we're breathing when we open those packages. 

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 25,454
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

@KingstonsMom wrote:

I seriously wonder if these strong chemical smells in fabrics are from pesticides used in the cargo containers on ships for insects, rodents, etc.

 

My Dad was a merchant marine all his life on these cargo ships and said that you wouldn't believe how much chemicals were pumped into them to last the lengthy  overseas trip.

 

SInce a lot of these items come from China and other countries, where pesticides may not be controlled by any type of health or gov't agency, who knows what we're breathing when we open those packages. 


This odor does not air out or wash out......I suspect it's imbedded in the fabric during production.

♥Surface of the Sun♥
Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,126
Registered: ‎06-20-2010

That heavy petroleum smell is terrible.  I don't know if it's pesticide or dye. 

 

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,024
Registered: ‎03-20-2012

I had that problem once on an area rug that I purchased. If the airing out in the garage doesn't work then try spritzing it with a neutrilizing spray like Don Astlett's XO or Zero Odor.  I had to do that twice and it finally worked.  I've also sprinkled baking soda on smallerr rugs and then vacuumed them and that worked a little. Baking soda can be somewhat difficult to vacuum up depending on the type of fiber in the rug.