Hey, want to sniff my new blinds?

[redduck]

We bought white blinds through Costco. They look very nice in the den. However, there are two issues that concern me.

1. There seems to be a new-paint smell coming off of them. The blinds were installed about three weeks ago. It appears that the blinds are made of wood as the contract says "Wood blind Graber Tradition." Is this smell dangerous? Does it eventually dissipate?

2. While I am highly aware of the paint smell, others are not. Some have mentioned they are faintly aware of the paint smell, but I think they might be saying this just to be kind. I'm not sure what to do next as I am running out of neighbors to sniff the blinds.

 

[MRG]

We bought white blinds through Costco. They look very nice in the den. However, there are two issues that concern me.

1. There seems to be a new-paint smell coming off of them. The blinds were installed about three weeks ago. It appears that the blinds are made of wood as the contract says "Wood blind Graber Tradition." Is this smell dangerous? Does it eventually dissipate?

2. While I am highly aware of the paint smell, others are not. Some have mentioned they are faintly aware of the paint smell, but I think they might be saying this just to be kind. I'm not sure what to do next as I am running out of neighbors to sniff the blinds.

My DM had issues with smells. They had to put new carpet down and she couldn't take the smell. DF thought she was batty, she ended up at a specialist(allergist? ) who knew of the issues some people had with odors.

Somehow they got to a guy who treated their new carpet with something to clean off whatever chemicals were used during manufacturing.

DM eventually had serious issues with perfumes and fragrances that others wore. She couldn't go into stores that had fragrances.

I have a different problem, if I'm around smells I lose all ability to detect them. Had to buy a nat gas detector cause I can't smell the stuff they put in it. Can't smell the hot springs, I lost the ability to smell walnut lumber in 1980 and still can't smell it today.

 

[omni550]

I'm not sure what to do next as I am running out of neighbors to sniff the blinds.

Move, so you 'll have new neighbors, or get your current neighbors to move?

Of course, if you choose to move, make sure the new place has the same size windows so you can reuse the blinds.

Seriously, paint smells usually dissipate over time. If you find them objectionable, perhaps consider contacting customer service.

omni

 

[GravitySucks]

Some people are very sensitive to chemical off gassing. DGF couldn't stand new carpeting or upholstery.
If you run out of neighbors you can find some homeless to ask or hire some guys at the Home Depot to come and smell the blinds.
Completely unrelated, but I've heard olfactory hallucinations are an early warning sign of schizophrenia.

 

[Boho]

I was thinking of buying wooden blinds to avoid breathing in plastic. Now I'll see if I could get unfinished wooden blinds and choose my own paint. House paints are pretty low in VOCs today but I don't trust factory blind paint.

If you hang them in a hot, well ventilated room, that should speed the outgassing and vent the smell, then you could move them to where you want them. I wonder how well blinds can withstand direct sunlight, not filtered through a glass window. You could keep them outside when it's hot but you should probably shield them from the sun. The longer the better. From two days to six months would be reasonable IMO.

 

[harley]

MDM eventually had serious issues with perfumes and fragrances that others wore. She couldn't go into stores that had fragrances.

I've got fairly significant issues with some perfumes. Just walking past a Yankee Candle store results in immediately feeling like someone just plunged a scratch awl into my eye socket. I actually read store names in malls and if necessary walk past on the opposite side and/or hold my breath. Getting stuck in an elevator with someone who dumps perfume on would probably kill me (figuratively). I've been known to unplug people's wall plug air fresheners if I have to sit in a particular room. But it's only certain perfumy smells. Others don't bother me, and I don't really know why.

It's painful, but only an annoyance because once I'm away from the smell the headache modulates a bit, then goes away. I can suck it up if I have to, but I suspect some people have it worse. I could easily see it instigating an asthma attack or something.

To the OP, any smell is going to go away eventually. If it's just that you can smell it but it's not resulting in a headache or other problem, then who cares? If you're not smelling that smell you'll be smelling some other smell from somewhere. And you may not come out ahead in that swap.

 

[Red Badger]

You're using amateurs, with predictable results....

Have you checked Home Adviser or Takl for highly rated blind sniffers? You'll want them licensed, bonded, and insured, of course.

 

[redduck]

I was thinking of buying wooden blinds to avoid breathing in plastic. Now I'll see if I could get unfinished wooden blinds and choose my own paint.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd strongly consider your thinking on this.

I've got fairly significant issues with some perfumes. .. I've been known to unplug people's wall plug air fresheners if I have to sit in a particular room...

It's painful, but only an annoyance because once I'm away from the smell the headache modulates a bit, then goes away. To the OP, any smell is going to go away eventually. If it's just that you can smell it but it's not resulting in a headache or other problem, then who cares?.

I can't stay in any store that has popurri in it (e.g. Pottery Barn). Eyes begin to water and sting. Same deal with plug-in room fresheners.
Regarding the blinds, I haven't stayed in the den very long because of the smell. I guess I'll give it a try and see if I get any unpleasant physical symptoms.

 

[redduck]

Some people are very sensitive to chemical off gassing. DGF couldn't stand new carpeting or upholstery.
If you run out of neighbors you can find some homeless to ask or hire some guys at the Home Depot to come and smell the blinds.
Completely unrelated, but I've heard olfactory hallucinations are an early warning sign of schizophrenia.

If DGF couldn't stand new carpeting or upholstery, did she consider using previously-owned carpet and upholstery?

As for the homeless--I tried that and went 0-4. Turned down every time. Maybe because how I presented it: "Want to make 20 bucks? I want you to come to my house and smell something."

As for the possibility of olfactory hallucinations: I had a feeling that the doctor should not have lowered the dosage of my medication.

 

[aja8888]

Duck, if you had purchased the polystyrene blinds (not expanded) you wouldn't experience an odor problem. Just thinking out loud here....

 

[redduck]

Duck, if you had purchased the polystyrene blinds (not expanded) you wouldn't experience an odor problem. Just thinking out loud here....

Yeah, I was wondering about that as I was trying to understand my signature line. So, the fix would be to put the blinds in my toaster?

 

[aja8888]

Yeah, I was wondering about that as I was trying to understand my signature line. So, the fix would be to put the blinds in my toaster?

Looks like the plastic ones are made from polyvinyl chloride material and not a polystyrene product. (I'm embarrassed a bit) (thought i knew my plastics)

Not toasting required! Good thing as you would need a very big toaster!

https://www.selectblinds.com/fauxwoodblinds/premier-2-inch-faux-wood-blinds.html

 

[NW-Bound]

Is it possible that the "new blind smell" is the new hot thing, the same as the "new car smell"?

 

[aja8888]

Is it possible that the "new blind smell" is the new hot thing, the same as the "new car smell"?

Maybe they have stuff like this for blinds?

 

[redduck]

Looks like the plastic ones are made from polyvinyl chloride material and not a polystyrene product. (I'm embarrassed a bit) (thought i knew my plastics)

Not toasting required! Good thing as you would need a very big toaster!

https://www.selectblinds.com/fauxwoodblinds/premier-2-inch-faux-wood-blinds.html

Luckily, I only put the toaster on level one--just enough to warm up the blinds. I guess I better take them out...Geez, looks like the white blinds now have a sort of a brownish-orange tinge.

 

[GravitySucks]

Maybe they have stuff like this for blinds?

View attachment 28299

The car wash sprayed something like this in my car interior and ducting when I had it detailed.
Turned the heater on, throat closed up and almost suffocated.

 

[Boho]

They make primers that seal in odors, like Kilz Original. Here's everything in Home Depot's Odor Blocking category. Then you'd have to paint over it.

 

[redduck]

They make primers that seal in odors, like Kilz Original. Here's everything in Home Depot's Odor Blocking category. Then you'd have to paint over it.

Thanks. If the odor doesn't dissipate in the next few weeks, I'll check it out. Nice to know that a product like this exists.

 

[MRG]

Thanks. If the odor doesn't dissipate in the next few weeks, I'll check it out. Nice to know that a product like this exists.

Never used it on odors but from previous experience it works miracles on stains and even waterproofing.

 

[Choices]

What about one of those ionizers that realtors use to make smelly houses more appealing?

 

[Winemaker]

Do you have a forced air gas furnace operating in your house?

The newer gas furnaces are notorious for heating up any volatile compounds that may be emitted by new furniture, carpet, flooring and oil based paint, and sometimes "burning" them, creating some unpleasant smells to you. They don't really "burn" them, they heat these compounds as they go over the heat exchanger and reintroduce them back into your house atmosphere. If you don't believe me, ask your furnace man. Many people have work done before the heating season, and everything releases the " new work "smell. Your nose gets used to the aroma after a few days, and you don't smell it. But turn the furnace on, and your nose gets bombarded with the reheated "new work" smell. Then folks call their furnace man, thinking that their furnace is going on the blink.
Turn your furnace fan on continuous for a week or two, and I'm sure the odor will leave or to the point where your nose will no longer smell it.

If you don't have a gas furnace operating, then I don't know what I'm talking about.