Hello everyone,
I have a KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA in my office where I store some chemical substances. Occasionally, a very unpleasant chemical odor escapes, which is not effectively contained by the simple open shelves. I would like to know the best way to seal or isolate the chemical odor from the KALLAX unit without damaging or significantly altering the furniture. Are there any proven methods or practical tips to effectively stop the odor leak? I am especially interested in which materials or seals are suitable and whether air circulation should be considered to prevent odor problems. I would appreciate concrete suggestions, ideally with advice on how to implement them.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I have a KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA in my office where I store some chemical substances. Occasionally, a very unpleasant chemical odor escapes, which is not effectively contained by the simple open shelves. I would like to know the best way to seal or isolate the chemical odor from the KALLAX unit without damaging or significantly altering the furniture. Are there any proven methods or practical tips to effectively stop the odor leak? I am especially interested in which materials or seals are suitable and whether air circulation should be considered to prevent odor problems. I would appreciate concrete suggestions, ideally with advice on how to implement them.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Regarding airtight containers:
For volatile solvents, I recommend glass bottles with PTFE-coated screw caps or specialized laboratory closures. These are significantly more odor-tight and chemically resistant. Plastic bottles made of HDPE or PET are convenient but allow vapors to pass through.
Another option is to use airtight metal containers with rubber gaskets, which are well suited for long-term storage.
The idea of attaching a film to the back of the KALLAX is also sensible, especially a plastic film with low permeability, such as polyethylene or PU-coated films.
For volatile solvents, I recommend glass bottles with PTFE-coated screw caps or specialized laboratory closures. These are significantly more odor-tight and chemically resistant. Plastic bottles made of HDPE or PET are convenient but allow vapors to pass through.
Another option is to use airtight metal containers with rubber gaskets, which are well suited for long-term storage.
The idea of attaching a film to the back of the KALLAX is also sensible, especially a plastic film with low permeability, such as polyethylene or PU-coated films.
deoso schrieb:
Additionally, I wonder if it makes sense to reinforce the back panel of the shelf or even attach a membrane behind it to create a kind of barrier layer for waterproofing?I find it interesting how many assume that a chemical issue can simply be solved with mechanical methods.
Why not address the air itself from the start? A properly sized activated carbon filter could not only capture odors but also significantly improve air quality.
When I hear about sealing attempts like these, I think about how often I have failed with naive approaches to chemical matters inside the home. It is simply impossible to create a perfectly airtight cabinet with furniture pieces like KALLAX.
My provocative thesis is that the real solution is not sealing, but rather air filtration and storage in certified laboratory containers.
Here is a brief guide on sealing the KALLAX shelving unit:
1. Preparation: Measure the shelf compartments and clean any dirt or debris from the contact surfaces.
2. Reinforce the back panel: Attach a PE film (at least 100 µm thick) to the back panel using spray adhesive or double-sided tape to reduce diffusion.
3. Retrofit doors: KALLAX offers compatible doors that can be fitted with silicone foam seals on the frames and edges.
4. Apply seals: Install self-adhesive silicone seals on all joints and edges, especially around doors or fronts.
5. Ventilation: If necessary, add small ventilation slots equipped with activated carbon filters to prevent increased pressure inside.
6. Check containers: Use only airtight glass or metal containers; avoid plastic containers whenever possible.
Test the seal by sniffing inside the shelving unit after closing it, checking for any odors escaping. This helps you identify areas that may need additional sealing.
1. Preparation: Measure the shelf compartments and clean any dirt or debris from the contact surfaces.
2. Reinforce the back panel: Attach a PE film (at least 100 µm thick) to the back panel using spray adhesive or double-sided tape to reduce diffusion.
3. Retrofit doors: KALLAX offers compatible doors that can be fitted with silicone foam seals on the frames and edges.
4. Apply seals: Install self-adhesive silicone seals on all joints and edges, especially around doors or fronts.
5. Ventilation: If necessary, add small ventilation slots equipped with activated carbon filters to prevent increased pressure inside.
6. Check containers: Use only airtight glass or metal containers; avoid plastic containers whenever possible.
Test the seal by sniffing inside the shelving unit after closing it, checking for any odors escaping. This helps you identify areas that may need additional sealing.
G
GUMARTINA11 Dec 2020 08:12Brief and to the point:
- Use airtight glass containers
- Seal the doors on the KALLAX unit with foam rubber gaskets
- Attach polyethylene (PE) foil to the back panel
This should significantly reduce the odor.
- Use airtight glass containers
- Seal the doors on the KALLAX unit with foam rubber gaskets
- Attach polyethylene (PE) foil to the back panel
This should significantly reduce the odor.
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