After months of planning and renovating, moving into your newly furnished HDB should feel like a dream come true. Instead, an increasing number of Singaporean homeowners have reported being greeted by pungent chemical fumes as they cross the threshold to their homes – caused by formaldehyde emissions from new carpentry.
While the natural airing-out process can reduce the concentration of formaldehyde, it often takes weeks or months for the smell to fully dissipate – time which not all homeowners can spare. Fortunately, the right products and methods can greatly speed up the process. Say goodbye to the toxic fumes invading your new HDB home with these 4 best tried and tested formaldehyde removers.
Source and dangers of formaldehyde
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and diffuse into the air. Formaldehyde is a type of VOC – a colorless gas with a characteristic strong, pungent smell.
Due to its wide use in manufacturing, formaldehyde is often released by carpentry in newly renovated homes, and can take up to 2 years to dissipate naturally.
While short term effects of formaldehyde vapours can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, as well as headaches and nausea, the impacts of long term exposure are far more sinister. Prolonged contact with or high concentrations of formaldehyde can trigger asthma and bronchitis, and cause a multitude of pregnancy complications.
Furthermore, the World Health Organisation classifies formaldehyde as a carcinogen – one which is especially dangerous for pregnant women and young children.
Ways to remove formaldehyde after renovation
There are a variety of solutions to tackle the dangers of formaldehyde emissions in your home – from engaging the help of an expert and opting for formaldehyde removal gels, to more natural approaches such as activated charcoal and boosting air circulation to speed up the natural dissipation process.
AirTumTec formaldehyde and VOC treatment
If you’re looking for a professional-grade solution to tackle the toxic emissions in your home, AirTumTec offers a special formaldehyde and VOC treatment, “tested and lab-certified to reduce 99% VOC and 94% Formaldehyde within 24 hours”.
The company makes a clear distinction between the AirTumTec home coating solution and the specific Forminate solution used for formaldehyde removal, reassuring homeowners that their formaldehyde treatment was specifically designed to eliminate VOC emissions.
The AirTumTec formaldehyde and VOC treatment process:
- After a thorough cleaning, primer is applied onto carpentry and doors.
- All carpentry surfaces are fully coated – interior and exterior – multiple times with AirTumTec formaldehyde and VOC treatment.
- Homeowners are instructed to wait 1-3 weeks before making use of the carpentry in their homes, in order to allow AirTumTec coating to take effect.
- To prove their efficacy, AirTumTec also claims to provide independent lab reports following a 24-hour air quality test to ensure top results of their formaldehyde and VOC treatment.
Image credit: @ongfamilyhome
Having engaged AirTumTec’s services, the Ong Family on Lemon8 reviewed the company’s formaldehyde and VOC treatment done for their 4-room BTO flat. Having paid $349 for the entire treatment, the family was pleased to discover that the toxic formaldehyde fumes in their home dissipated after 2 weeks.
However, several kitchen cabinets continued to release formaldehyde – causing noticeable eye irritation whenever they were opened. After approaching AirTumTec with the issue, the Ong family commended the company’s professional response. AirTumTec promptly returned to re-coat the kitchen drawers thoroughly, and advised the family to extend the ventilation period for better results.
Additionally, the Ong family revealed that despite AirTumTec’s commitment to perform before-and-after formaldehyde tests for quality assurance, these checks were not conducted. Nevertheless, the family gave AirTumTec a 5 star rating overall, for their superb service and effective product.
Formaldehyde removal gel
While expert treatments like AirTumTec are certainly effective, formaldehyde removal gel is a cost-efficient alternative. By absorbing and neutralising harmful chemicals, the gel provides a targeted approach to reducing formaldehyde emissions in your home – a practical and budget-friendly option for those looking for a DIY solution.
Image credit: @vgvgps
Easy two-step formaldehyde gel process:
- The removal gel comes with an activation liquid – simply add it to the gel to catalyse the absorption and neutralisation process.
- Place the gel container within new carpentry and wait for the gel to change colour as formaldehyde is absorbed.
Due to the gradual release of formaldehyde, it is wise to periodically repeat the formaldehyde removal process as needed.
Image credit: @vgvgps
An initial skeptic, VG on Lemon8 shared her experience using the Full Of Hobby formaldehyde removal gel. To her pleasant surprise, VG discovered that the gel changed from dark blue to white in just 24 hours, indicating rapid absorption of formaldehyde from the air in her home.
She also tracked the formaldehyde removal using a test kit, performing a before-and-after comparison using the colour chart as a visual representation of decreased toxin levels after using the removal gel. Tangible effects on her health were also observed, with fewer toxic fumes and less eye irritation.
VG directs fellow homeowners to Shopee or Taobao – the perfect avenues for acquiring an affordable and readily available supply of formaldehyde removal gel.
Activated charcoal to naturally remove formaldehyde
For homeowners seeking a natural solution, activated charcoal is an excellent choice for cleansing the air of formaldehyde and other toxic fumes. Due to its porous structure, activated charcoal works as a natural odour absorber, trapping chemicals, gases, and odours from the air, effectively purifying the environment.
Image credit: Shopee Singapore
Amongst other options, Lemon8 user Aloofbunny highlights the WISS LIFESTYLE Catalytic Activated Charcoal from Shopee as a solution for homeowners looking to reduce formaldehyde levels in their home.
Specifically designed to siphon formaldehyde, other VOCs, ammonia, and other toxic chemicals from the air in newly renovated homes, the adsorption efficiency and capacity of the WISS activated charcoal is enhanced through catalytic modification. The company also reassures homeowners that their product is suitable for families with pets and young children.
A relatively affordable option priced at $19.90 for 1kg, $29.90 for 2kg, or $59.90 for 6kg, the WISS Catalytic Activated Charcoal also doubles up as a dehumidifier – performing two functions for the price of one.
Boosting air circulation to dissipate formaldehyde
Homeowners who prefer to avoid chemical-based formaldehyde removers will be happy to know that boosting air circulation is a highly effective method of accelerating the natural dissipation of formaldehyde.
Lemon8 user AngelTTV, a pregnant mother, shared her tried and tested methods of optimising the natural dissipation of formaldehyde in her newly renovated home. The first step she and her husband took was to purchase a formaldehyde detector to test formaldehyde levels in their home. As expected, the alarm on the tester went off after the couple tested their new carpentry for traces of formaldehyde.
To tackle this, the couple decided to place strong hand fans inside their cupboards to improve ventilation. They chose to invest $70 in a compact yet powerful Jisulife fan, which fit perfectly into their cupboards, increasing ventilation and speeding up the dissipation of fumes.
Lastly, making full use of the government’s $300 Climate Voucher scheme, the couple purchased a Dyson standing fan to further boost air circulation within their home. Rather than splurge on expensive Dyson filters, they decided to replace the fan’s filters with a cheaper version acquired from Taobao – a clever cost-cutting solution that helped them stay within budget while improving air quality.
Best tried & tested formaldehyde removers
Regardless of the approach you choose – whether professional treatments, gels, or natural solutions – removing formaldehyde is crucial for a safer, healthier home. Ensuring your newly renovated space is formaldehyde-free not only brings peace of mind but also protects against the harmful, carcinogenic effects of this chemical.
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Cover image adapted from: Carousell
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