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The Kitchen Table

My bath mats smell like printer's ink.

13 years ago

At Sam's Club the other night I ran across something new (to me): memory foam bath mats. Serta must have been looking for a new way to use memory foam, but the result looked great and felt divine. I picked up two to give at Christmas.

Out in the parking lot, I wondered why I smelled printer's ink. I'm familiar with the smell from my days as a newspaper reporter. The smell lingered in my car. Very odd. When I got home and unloaded, I realized the smell was coming from the bath mats. It's not pleasant!

Right now they're out-gassing in my guest room, which may have been a mistake--but it was the only place safe from the cats. Even with the door closed, I can smell them out in the hall. If this doesn't improve considerably in a week or so, they're going back to Sam's.

Anyone have one of these?

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Comments (14)

lindalou
13 years ago
if it is nice outside, i would put them out there to air out for a few hours and seee if that helps. ;)
minnie_tx
13 years ago
I ordered one of those tummy wrap things (to make tummy smaller etc) When I took it out of the package it had that same obnoxious smell sent it back
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jannie
13 years ago
can you hang them outdoors for a day or two? Or return them.
kacram
13 years ago
I picked up one from Costco and one from FredMeyers... no
odor. If it's the same thing. I would hang them outside on
or in the garage.
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm trying to think of a place outdoors that's safe from the outside cat now. LOL My clothesline stand, or whatever it's called, gave up the ghost this summer, and I haven't replaced it.
kacram
13 years ago
clothes pin them to a hanger and hang from a tree limb, or a trellis?
anne_ct
13 years ago
Depending upon the country of origin [where they were made] that "aroma" may be from a pesticide spray used by the manufacturer to prevent pests from invading either the raw materials or the finished product. Personally, I'd return them and look for another manufacturer. This type of aroma is becoming quite a health issue these days...especially from certain countries. For those who are less physically sensitive to this type of thing, it might not be a problem. But to someone like me...I'd have several types of reactions to the product...not the least of which would be a lung problem...as in asthma. I discovered this when I bought a catalogue clothing item that gave off the same type aroma. No matter how often I washed it, it never quite rid the fabric of the aroma.

HTH

Anne
Jasdip
13 years ago
That reminds me of a turtleneck that I bought one time. It was made in China, and it always smelled like diesel fuel from the ship. I couldn't get that smell out of it. I pitched it.
janie_ga
13 years ago
No suggestions on the smell but do you think they will mildew easy? They seem so thick or at least the ones I have seen were thick and I do not see how they would fully dry out.
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
It's made by Serta--in China. (What a surprise!) The label says it's resistant to mold and mildew, and it says it's been treated with Ultra-Fresh to eliminate bacteria. Yeah, it smells really fresh.
anne_ct
13 years ago
Ohhh...yuck!

I wonder why it was necessary to treat the product for bacteria. Hmmmm! And this is a product you'd be putting in the shower...in water?!?!...where mold and mildew are almost considered a natural by-product of that type of enclosure.

One could put a doubled up towel on the shower floor and accomplish the same comfort...and then throw it in your own laundry-of-the-day/week to ensure its cleanliness.

I suggest you get your money back, Susan.

Anne
alisande
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm probably going to do that. I didn't buy it for myself--I'm content with my regular old cotton bath mats--but I don't want to stink up anyone else's house. My car still reeks of it after two days.

When I say "bath mat" I mean the sort of thing you step onto after you get out of the tub or shower. So it would go on the floor. Still get wet, of course.
anne_ct
13 years ago
Ahhh....I see. Sorry, Susan. I misunderstood. But I'd still worry about moist feet touching whatever's in that foam. I have a long carpet type runner in my bath so it's been some years since I've used the type that you mention. When I did use the smaller version, I bought the heavy cotton mats that Lands End Home division sells. They're yummy under foot. ;-) And the colors are so varied and pretty.

Anne
redcurls
13 years ago
Hah! I bought one a month ago and it is still outside "airing" out. I SHOULD have taken it back.

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