lots2do

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

Boopers

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.

leakus

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?

lots2do

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

mamaw

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

lindy

Mine finally aired enough and the smell is gone.

lots2do

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

pinecone

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

Tally Kathy

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...

Treasureit

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