Hi,
Looking for help to resolve the maritial discord this new mat has created... I bought a large Olfa mat a week ago, taking advantage of a 50% off coupon and it does smell like skunk. I keep moving it around to different parts of this not-too-big house and I'm still getting complaints. I told him the smell would 'gas off'. That didn't win any battles. Right now, it's in the basement on a flat surface out of any sunshine.
Any helpful tips other than return it?
Thanks,
lots2do

Some of these mats just have to air out... It appears that some brands are worse than others. :D:D:D

I wonder if wiping it with a water vinegar solution might help, just be sure to dry it well if you try it.

When I went to buy one I had the lady in Joanns smell it she agreed not the best deal in the store they were going to send them back. I went with a Fiskars Mat that didn't smell.

When you have a sunny day you might try laying outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

Put the mat in the shower. Using hot water and dish liquid with a good grease cutter in it - think Dawn - and a soft cloth wash the mat very, very, well. Don't skimp on the dish liquid. If you can lay it flat, let it soak for a few minutes. Rinse with more hot water, then a blast of cold water. Wipe dry.

I would use vinegar and soak it in the tub with hot water.

The dish liquid will remove the lubricants and manufacturing debris left on the mat. I don't know about the vinegar. Any thing is worth a try. Good luck!

Fabreeze? search more. i've read a lot about this being a problem. i have two Olfa mats but they are yrs old. one very old. no smell. they must be manufacturing them somewhere different now. i'd complain loudly!!

I had the same problem with an Olfa mat I bought last year. It did eventually stop stinking, but it took a while.

Thanks everyone,
I will get some Dawn and give that a try. I'd really, really like to be able to start to use this.
:)lots2do

Never lay your green mats in the sun. It will warp them. Ask me how I know this? I have a couple of wavy mats.

Don't ever put it under direct sun or on a heated area like inside your car during Summer. Here in Florida I left my mat inside the car and when I took it out that night it was damaged and had to though it away. I don't know about hot water but if it was me I wouldn't try.

why don't you go online to their website and see if you can post a question about the smell and how to clean it?

Yes, that is a good suggestion -going to their website. I've had one warp on me, too, in the past.

They do smell and need airing out when you first get them, but worth it....they are the best!!

Mine finally aired enough and the smell is gone.

I emailed Olfa as Leakus suggested and they confirmed what Mitch's Mom said. It was a very lengthy email. I was pleased. This is from the email:
Here are a few suggestions to help alleviate the smell:

OLFA recommends that you use a mixture of warm water and dishwashing detergent to wash your mat.
Please use a lemon or other citrus based dishwashing detergent, as this type of dishwashing detergent will help neutralize the smell. You may have to do this several times. You may also wipe the mat down with Pine Sol or Murphy's Oil soap.

Soaking your mat, in cool water, with white vinegar, an abundance of white vinegar, lying flat, so the mat doesn't warp for about 30 - 45 minutes, will also help alleviate the smell.

Also, you may want to allow the mat to air out.

What I mean by that is place the mat where it can receive plenty of air.

Do not place it in direct sunlight or stand it on its end or roll it up. These things will cause the mat to become warped and it will not go back into its original shape.

Lie the mat flat and allow it to air out and with time and the wiping down of the mat, the odor will start to subside.
ed with the response.

Thanks again everybody,
lots2do

Thanks for the update. I usually buy mine a month or two before I want to start using it. That's what old barns are good for. :thumbup:

piney

I bought one of those skunky smelling ones! - but really, the next day my dog got sprayed by a skunk! I blamed it all on my dog until now - 8 years later. Do the mats really smell skunky? I hid mine under the couch and it stilled smelled skunky 6 months later - I really thought it was because my dog came in and rolled around every inch of carpeting in our family room. Poor Belle - she got about 8 extra baths for something that wasn't her fault...

I just read how peroxide cleans a lot of things - might try it and see...would be curious if it works.

A baking soda bath may help. Baking soda is suppose to pull the smell out and absorb the order. Hope you have luck with some of these tips.

It does smell skunky. :(
Will try my first remedy on the snow day tomorrow!
:)

I soaked my Olfa mat in the bathtub in water with a lot of vinegar (as per the email above, because this or a similar message from Olfa was posted on this board a while back). Then washed it with lukewarm water and dishwashing detergent.

It got rid of the smell for me.

That is good to know. Thanks

piney