Can Sun Exposure Remove Formaldehyde from a New Car?
2 Answers
Yes. Here are the relevant details: Sun exposure: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage the car's interior. To remove formaldehyde, you can open the car doors and windows for ventilation or place activated charcoal, spider plants, or pothos inside the car, as these can help eliminate formaldehyde. Formaldehyde: The volatilization of formaldehyde is related to temperature—the higher the temperature, the faster formaldehyde evaporates. However, excessive sun exposure can also damage the car's paint, interior trim, and plastic components. Therefore, the best way to remove formaldehyde is not to leave the car in direct sunlight but to ensure proper ventilation or use materials that can absorb formaldehyde.
Exposing a new car to sunlight can indeed help reduce formaldehyde to some extent, but the effect is limited. I often see many people believe that exposing a new car to direct sunlight can quickly remove formaldehyde, as high temperatures can accelerate the release of volatile substances from interior materials. Formaldehyde mainly comes from materials like leather, plastic, and adhesives in new cars, and raising the temperature helps it evaporate into the air faster. However, simply sun exposure cannot completely eliminate all formaldehyde; the amount will decrease but not disappear, and this method has potential issues—for example, prolonged exposure in summer may damage the car's interior, causing cracks or fading. I recommend combining other measures, such as keeping windows open for ventilation for several weeks or using activated charcoal bags in the car, which is more comprehensive and safer. In short, sun exposure is a supplementary method, not a complete solution, and it's best to avoid parking a new car under direct sunlight for extended periods during the first few months.
