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How to Get Rid of a Rubber Smell

Tom Don

Rubber is derived from latex in plants and can be produced synthetically too. Due to its elasticity and stretchy nature, it is used extensively in daily utility products.

The rubber producing latex is found in the stems, roots and in branches of almost 400 different species of rubber plants like dandelion and sagebrush. Usually rubber products emit an odor in the surrounding when heated or when the surface gets hot. Many times everyday use items like yoga mats, cars, footballs among others may be smelling of burning rubber smell, especially when purchased newly.

Tip

Always use top quality rubber products that are environmental friendly and recyclable. Many synthetic rubber products can cause serious health issues by inhaling their odor. Instead of throwing away unused rubber items try to recycle and reuse them. A temporary solution is to use a room freshener on the surface of rubber to eliminate the rubber smell. When kept for drying, bring the rubber object inside once every two hours and check if the smell has reduced.

Warning

Do not expose rubber to sunlight continuously for a long time since the color might fade. If it gets heated up too much, it may melt slowly.

  1. Create a generic equivalent solution of Pine Sol and Murphy’s Oil soap in a bucket by adding warm water.

  2. Use a ruler to mix the solution continuously until it becomes sudsy.

  3. Spread the solution around the rubber surface using a clean sponge or a cloth. Make sure that solution is applied on the entire surface.

  4. Rinse the rubber surface with the help of a water to ensure all the solution is washed away. Once the surface is rinsed completely, place it outdoors where the rubber comes in direct contact with sunlight. Leave it to dry for a few hours. Do not remove the article if it gets dried soon, as the sunlight will absorb the odor emitting agents of rubber.

The Drip Cap

  • Rubber is derived from latex in plants and can be produced synthetically too.
  • Once the surface is rinsed completely, place it outdoors where the rubber comes in direct contact with sunlight.
  • Leave it to dry for a few hours.