Formaldehyde is used to make many household products, especially in furniture. It works perfectly to make things stick together in glues, resins, and coatings. It is colourless, but it has a sharp, unmistakable smell.
While being extremely useful in terms of creating modern furniture and building supplies, it poses its risks. If you are exposed to it for a long time, it can mess with your breathing, irritate your skin, and, in the worst cases, even lead to cancer.
This is particularly concerning in places like Singapore, where high humidity increases formaldehyde off-gassing, which can make indoor pollution worse, something you might notice right after you’ve done some home renovations or brought in new furniture.
So, it is pretty important to figure out how to remove formaldehyde from your furniture to keep things healthy.
What Makes Formaldehyde in Furniture a Concern?
Formaldehyde is commonly used in the manufacture of particle boards, plywood, and MDF products, which are very common in modern furniture. You can also find it in upholstery, carpets, and paints.
In Singapore, it becomes a bigger problem because of the high humidity. It accelerates the release of formaldehyde gases from furniture, which can cause a significant amount of indoor air pollution.
Because homes in Singapore are also very often tightly sealed to maintain air conditioning, this leads to poor indoor air quality and traps these toxic gases inside the house.
How to Remove Formaldehyde from Furniture?
Here, we will explore how to remove formaldehyde after renovation.
Ventilation
One of the easiest and most effective ways to remove formaldehyde in your indoor environment is through proper ventilation.
Improved airflow and fresher outdoor air entering your house may help dilute the concentration of formaldehyde, among other VOCs.
You can open the windows and doors on a regular basis to create natural cross-ventilation. You can also use exhaust fans and high-quality air circulation HVAC systems to maintain indoor air quality, particularly where natural ventilation is insufficient or where new furniture is installed.
Air Purifiers with Activated Carbon Filters
Carbon-filtered air purifiers are another very effective method of capturing formaldehyde particles from the air. Air purifiers with activated carbon filters absorb formaldehyde molecules, reducing airborne concentrations.
Make sure the air purifier you choose has a high-quality activated carbon filter and is also appropriately sized for the room where it will be used.
Remember that air purifiers need regular maintenance, including changing the filters, to stay effective.
Baking Soda and Charcoal
Some of the natural absorbents that help in taking out formaldehyde from your house are activated charcoal and baking soda. The process is pretty simple.
Place small dishes with activated charcoal in enclosed spaces, such as cupboards, drawers, and wardrobes. Because activated charcoal is very porous, it can very effectively trap formaldehyde molecules.
Baking soda, on the other hand, helps neutralize the smell of formaldehyde and absorb gases. You can simply spread it over the area where the smell or emissions are strongest. To make sure these absorbents stay effective, try to replace them every one or two months.
Temperature and Humidity Control
In Singapore’s tropical climate, formaldehyde is released more quickly into the air due to high humidity. Keeping your home cool and dry can help cut down on this.
For this, air conditioners do a great job. Air conditioners not only cool your space but also reduce humidity, cutting down on formaldehyde emissions.
A dehumidifier can also be a big help by lowering the humidity, which makes it harder for formaldehyde to evaporate. Keeping your indoor humidity between 30-50% is a good rule of thumb to minimize off-gassing.
Formaldehyde Sealers
Formaldehyde sealers help trap harmful emissions inside furniture by creating a protective layer that reduces off-gassing. They are particularly effective for wood-based furniture.
Apply the sealers to all surfaces, including undersides and internal panels. For fabrics, specialised sprays can act as a barrier between you and the formaldehyde. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
Cookout Method
The “Cookout Method” is a less commonly known but effective way to accelerate the release of formaldehyde from furniture.
Here is how it works:
The basic idea is to heat and ventilate the space or the material. The heat increases the speed of off-gassing of formaldehyde, while ventilation serves to remove the gas emitted in larger quantities from the spaces, hence reducing its concentration in the air.
Raise the temperature within your house or a particular room containing formaldehyde-emitting furniture to 30-40°C for several hours (8 hours recommended) while ensuring appropriate ventilation.
Using Houseplants
Some houseplants can remove formaldehyde from the air. Studies have shown that spider plants, Boston ferns, and peace lilies, in particular, purify this dangerous chemical from the air inside buildings.
For very tiny spaces, you may need several plants to have a real impact. As pleasant as it is to use houseplants for toxin purification, they are even better when used in conjunction with other methods of getting rid of formaldehyde, such as ventilation or air purification.
Professional Formaldehyde Removal Services
If, despite all, the formaldehyde level does not turn out to be satisfactory, you may resort to some professional services that use advanced methods for the same.
Professionals use ozone generators to oxidise and neutralise formaldehyde in the air.
Some companies offer industrial-grade air purification systems that can help significantly reduce formaldehyde concentrations.
Professional formaldehyde removal services are very effective when applied after large renovation exercises or when new furniture continues to emit formaldehyde for a long time. Given the weather in Singapore and the persistence of the emissions, long-term results might be better with professional help.
Conclusion
Proper removal of formaldehyde from furniture is an important measure in ensuring good indoor air quality. Measures such as ventilation, air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters, and applying products to reduce the effects of formaldehyde, like sealants, are just a few of many that can make sure the harm from this chemical stays low.
Using plants that absorb formaldehyde or bamboo charcoal can significantly cut down on emissions. Pairing these natural fixes with furniture made from safer, low-emission materials is a great way to keep your living space healthy.
