bisseau

I aired my mats in the garage for several days and then just put up with the odor til it disapated.

Lori S

Oh do I know exactly what you are talking about , mine was so bad I thought I skunk had gone off!
I had the opportunity shortly after I bought it to speak directly to the OLFA rep at International quilt show. Well I was stunned when he just gave me a blank look , when I asked how to get rid of the smell. He said "I have never heard of such a thing" , well not sure if his smell was off becasue the booth was filled with mats and.... REALLY smelled! After being persitant he suggested soaking the mat in a vinegar and water solution. I did that ... mimimal reduction in odor. What did work was leaving it in the garage for a few months.
I think the "Fresher " just out of the box the more intense the smell. Let it age , somewhere. Just have it lay flat, as they can warp.

Tropical

I want to buy an Olfa mat but haven't because of the smell. I have checked them out in LQSs, JoAnn and Wal Mart and they all smell. My DH wants me to get one because my June Tailor is so hard on my blades and using blades on it removes the lines. I guess I'll just have to get one and leave it out on the porch and in the garage to air out. It does take forever. I will use the white vinegar/water soak first. I'm glad you brought this topic up because I have finally talked myself into buying one. Thanks. :)

gale

I've read that about Olfa. I bought fiskars mats both at Joann's and in the mail (thus packaged) and they haven't stunk. I hope you get the smell out. I have such a sensitive sniffer I'd have a migraine every day if I had to smell that. :(

TonnieLoree

Try using a lemon and wiping down with that. I have never heard of one smelling at all. I can't blame the Olfa Rep for not having a clue.

writerwomen

Air out outside. Wash it down with soap and water to remove an free particals that may help speed the process. Do contact the maker and complain they need to know their product is toxic

Janet P.

Thanks everyone. I'm glad to know it's just not me having this problem. Fortunately I'm not in any big hurry to use them so I will just leave them in the garage. I don't know how my husband stayed in the house with them all day. It smelled like sewer gas or something when I first came in. I hope that it's not toxic.

luckylindy333

Maybe we smell it because we sensitive to strong plastic smells. When I got a new mat I had to put it in the storeroom for about a month to air out. I was afraid that it was going to keep me awake the first night that I had it home.

pieces

I put mine outside in the sun, it does take them awhile to outgass.

the old one

One of mine is more than a year old, when I turn it over, the smell still appears. Finally, the most-used side is odor-free. It is an Olfa, only brand I really like. piecefully, the old one