On 8/10/2017 2:33 PM, William Ahern wrote:
I recently purchased a latex mattress and platform bed frame. The wire grid
was spaced much wider than recommended for a latex mattress, so I purchased
some perforated hardboard. But it's been a month and there's still an
incredibly strong chemical smell. I vigorously vacuumed the hardboard after
cutting to size to minimize dust, but I guess I should have been more
worried about the resins. I chose hardboard over plywood or MDF specifically
out of concern for off-gassing, but safe or not the smell is intolerable.

My question is, what's the quickest way to seal the hardboard? I was
thinking Modge Podge or triple-thick water-based polyurethane. Both Modge
Podge and polyurethane can take weeks to fully cure. How much time should I
wait before putting the sealed hardboard back under the mattress?

- Bill


Shellac. Dries in minutes. Zinsser brand is readily available.

OTOH, I never had an odor from hardboard. Are you sure it is not from
the mattress?