Air Pollution

Yesterday I set my alarm for a painfully early 8:30 (6:30 Utah time)

because the AV guys were going to come at 9:00.

I waited and waited putzing about eating breakfast, reading about writing, doing some computer work.

Finally it was 10:30 and I didn't want to wait any longer to go on my walk.

Sent an e-mail that I'd left the door unlocked and set out for Central Par.

On my way home, I got a response that they decided not to come today.

Do you know how comfy my bed was this morning? It was so perfect. Ugh.

I bought an air purifier Thursday because our bed is off-gassing.

I've smelled every inch of this room -- every piece of furniture, fabric, wood and rug and 

I'm sure it's coming from the upholstery on the headboard and footboard.

I've tried everything to get rid of the sharp chemical smell. 

I had the Molekule going full-speed all day, then took the bed apart and scrubbed down the upholstery with a few drops of Dawn dish soap and water. Then I did it again with laundry detergent.

Tried diffusing lemon. Tried diffusing cinnamon. Tried Febreeze and Bounce dryer sheets last time I was here, but I think I was just adding to the chemicals. 

Yesterday evening our show wasn't until 9:30, so I pulled off my sheets to wash them, sure they'd taken on the VOC's. Decided to wash the mattress pads too. And when I got started, I knew I'd regret not stripping everything down and washing the whole dang set-up, including four sets of bed-bug barrier covers. 

Two mattresses were propped against the wall, two box springs propped on the bed frame,

 and the purifier as loud as a wind tunnel blowing away on full speed.

I cranked the heat up to 85* because I read somewhere that heat helps. 

After the show I came home and scrubbed everything again, then went over every inch with a hair dryer for an even more direct burst of extreme heat and then an iron for good measure.

Let's just say when there's a weird smell, I get a little obsessed. Or possessed. 

I slept on the couch in the living room just to keep the heat and fan and bed torn apart so everything could air out.

This morning, I'm sad to report there was no change.

So I opened the window, one more time, so confused at why opening the window doesn't solve everything.

It should, shouldn't it?

In the end, I put everything back together and am resigned to buy a new bed.

Did some research that this bed was specifically NOT a VOC bed,

so as a final check, I bought an air monitor that I'm putting in the room and if it registers VOC's will make my case against Pottery Barn and hopefully get my money back. 

Today by the afternoon, the smell seemed fainter. 

So who even knows. 

I still like our apartment though!