Polyester rugs are one of the most affordable rugs out there. Polyester is one of the most commonly used fibers out there. They are used for household items like rugs and upholstery, and can even be used for clothes.
Just like polypropylene rugs, polyester rugs are made from synthetic fibers that go through chemical processing. These rugs tend to smell.
Here is how much polyester rugs really smell:
Polyester fibers in rugs can emit an unpleasant smell when the rug is brand new. This smell can be overwhelming to some people. The best way to get rid of the smell is to place the polyester rug outdoor for the first few days until the smell wears off.
Table of Contents
Do Polyester Rugs Smell More Than Other Rugs?
Generally, the chemical smell that is being emitted by polyester rugs can be overwhelming but they do not smell more than other rugs.
This smell is only being emitted when the rug is new and it tends to disappear in time.
Natural material rugs can smell more than polyester rugs and other synthetic rugs, but the smell is different. For natural material rugs, the smell they give off is more musty and moldy.
Check out here how much polypropylene rugs smell.
Meanwhile, synthetic material rugs have a more chemical smell.
Another difference is that synthetic material rugs only smell when they are new and fresh from their packaging. The smell eventually wears off and they do not get smelly when they age.
Meanwhile, natural material rugs can start to smell over time. This happens when they become too dirty, or when moisture gets trapped in the fibers.
The downside to polyester rugs is that the smell can be toxic – at least for some of them.
There are some polyester rug fibers that go through a lot of chemicals during their production, and they can release toxins that may be harmful, especially to small children.
What Are Typical Reasons Polyester Rugs Start To Smell?
Polyester rugs tend to smell mainly because of the chemicals used when manufacturing the rug and its backing.
The fibers of synthetic rugs, like polyester rugs, are often treated with chemicals that are referred to as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
These chemical compounds tend to get released at room temperature and produce a distinct smell that lingers in the air.
When you unwrap and unroll your brand new polyester rug, the chemicals in them can get released into the air and evaporate, which causes the unpleasant chemical smells.
Another reason that polyester rugs start to smell is the plastic packaging that they came with.
Most plastic materials are made from artificial compounds and can emit a chemical smell that sticks to the fibers of your brand new rug.
Do Brand New Polypropylene Rugs Smell More?
While the chemical smell that polyester rugs have is unpleasant, these rugs actually only smell when they are brand new.
The smell occurs when the new rug is being unwrapped and taken out of the packaging.
The smell often comes from the chemical treatment or processing that goes into making the rug. It can also come from the plastic packaging of the rug.
In general, polyester rugs do not smell as they age.
These rugs are made to resist water or moisture, mold, and mildew, so they do not tend to smell even when they become old.
Does The Smell Wear Off With Time?
At first, the smell of polyester rugs may bother you a lot, but they eventually wear off.
The smell can wear off on its own but it could take several days.
Some polyester rugs can be toxic, depending on what chemicals were used during the production of the fibers, so they may pose a health risk to you and the members of your household.
Toxic smells can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even trigger allergies, especially to those who are sensitive to smells.
Once you unwrap and unroll your rug, it is best to remove the chemical smell as soon as possible. Here is what you can do:
Sprinkle baking soda on your polyester rug.
The best and easiest way to get rid of chemical smells on the rug is by using baking soda.
Baking soda is known to be very effective in eliminating odors and smells, as its crystals can neutralize odors.
All you need to do is sprinkle baking soda evenly on both sides, covering the rug with it and letting it sit for up to twenty minutes.
After this, shake the rug to remove the baking soda and follow it up with light vacuuming to completely remove the baking soda.
Wash your polyester rug.
Polyester rugs are machine-washable. Washing your polyester rug can also help remove the chemical smells.
When washing the rug using your washing machine, make sure you do it with no other items on the machine.
This is to eliminate the risk of the colors blending or bleeding into other fabrics.
Use cold water and a mild laundry detergent. Wash your rug using the gentle cycle and take it outside to dry.
Ventilate your room.
Unpleasant smells from your rug can linger and stay in the room for some time, especially if the room is enclosed or not well-ventilated.
If you have a brand new rug that has a chemical smell, air the room out to make sure it has good ventilation. Do this by opening the windows to let the air circulate.
To eliminate the smell of the rug faster, you can also place a fan in front of the window that produces air and have it face the room inward.
Doing this will pull the air in through the window and lets the air circulate better. This is also a good solution if your room only has a few windows.
Use odor neutralizers for your room.
Another solution to eliminate the smell is through the use of odor-absorbing products.
These products will freshen the air in the room and help remove the chemical smell from the rug.
Odor absorbing products consistently fight odor and unpleasant smells so they are very effective in removing any smell, including the chemical ones that come from a brand new rug.
All you have to do is put the gel containers throughout the room.
This is a good solution as it is effective, even though it does not cost a lot.
Use odor-eliminating sprays for your room.
An additional step that you can do to completely remove the chemical smell from your rug is spraying the room with odor-eliminating sprays.
The chemical odors present in VOC tend to be very strong so treating the air with an odor-eliminating spray can help.
When doing this, opt for sprays without any artificial fragrances as these can be potentially harmful to your household.
Go for sprays with natural ingredients. Simply spray it evenly throughout the room.
How Do You Avoid Smell From Polyester Rugs?
Polyester rugs are low maintenance. This is why they are a popular choice, especially for busy households.
These rugs are made to resist different elements that can potentially cause them to start smelling. Polyester rugs are made to resist moisture. They also do not absorb liquid very well, and moisture, and when they do get wet because of liquid spills, they dry quickly.
They are also resistant to mold and mildew, and they do not get dirty easily.
This is why polyester rugs do not tend to smell even as they age.
The downside to polyester rugs is that some of them can have toxic chemicals, which may be harmful if you have pets or small children in the house.
Some polyester fibers are treated with so many chemicals to make them durable and resistant to different elements.
This is why they are not the best option if you have small children in the house. You would not want to risk exposing them to harmful chemicals that can put their health at risk.
If you have polyester rugs, it is best to place them outdoors where they will get enough ventilation.
Plus, any toxic chemicals that they emit just go out into the open air and not inside your house.
To summarize, polyester rugs only smell when they are brand new. The smell wears off over time and can leave you with a durable rug that is best for outdoor use.
Sources:
Polyester Rugs: Everything You Need To Know