The kinds of designs and low costs of mobile phone cases obtained from China have attracted different people. As many users have noticed, the case comes accompanied by an odor that will later go away after some time and with a little airing. From this perspective, the article looks at the issue to help you try making sense of it and trying to avoid it.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Sources of Odors in Mobile Phone Cases?
- Will the smell of a phone case ever go away?
- How to get rid of a phone case smell?
- Are smelly phone cases harmful?
- How to Avoid Buying Stinky Phone Cases?
What Are the Sources of Odors in Mobile Phone Cases?
1.Chemical Substances Used in Production
There are many chemicals involved in the production of mobile phone cases, such as plasticizers, dyes, and scratch-resistant coating materials, to give them better durability, scratch resistance, or more saturated colors. Excess portions of these substances may not have the possibility to evaporate completely during the production processes, making the phone case-smelling.
2.Conditions in Packaging and Transportation
Because mobile phone cases are packed inside sealed bags or boxes after production, this may provide some enclosed environment for a sufficiently long period of time. Moreover, during international transportation, changing temperatures and humidity could promote smell formation.
3.Material Differences
Cases made from different materials, such as silicone, TPU, and PC, differ significantly in chemical composition and physical properties, which give them their distinguished smells. Overall, silicone cases do smell a bit more and can be slightly more persistent in their odor.
Will the smell of a phone case ever go away?
1.Natural Evaporation in Aerated Conditions
Placing the phone case in a more ventilated environment, outside or in a room where windows are opened, may help to promote the rapid dispersion of the molecules of odor into the air. Eventually, this lowers or eradicates the smell. It may range from a waiting period of some days to a couple of weeks due to the intensity of the smell and the material used in the case.
2.Temperature and Humidity
High temperatures as well as humidity increase the rate of evaporation of chemical compounds. This implies that a phone case will dry up faster in hot and humid regions. Nevertheless, it is good to note that extreme conditions can lead to damage to the material of the phone case.
3.Material variations
The various materials that compose phone cases have different evaporation rates of odors. For example, silicon phone cases allow the release and evaporation of odors more effectively than those made from plastic materials.
How to get rid of a phone case smell?
1.With the Help of Activated Carbon or Bags Containing Bamboo Charcoal
Because activated carbon and bamboo charcoal demonstrate really nice adsorption properties, they can easily absorb odor molecules in the air. Keeping the phone case in a bag or any other container together with activated carbon or bamboo charcoal bags can facilitate the scattering of the odour.
2.Rinse with Water
For the washable phone cases, mild detergent and water may take away some of these chemicals that are sticking on the surface, hence reducing the odors. However, it is not all phone cases that can be washed; hence do refer to the product instructions prior to washing.
3.Ultraviolet Disinfection Lamp
Sterilization with ultraviolet light may disinfect, increase the decomposition rate of some chemical components, and so relieve the odor to some extent by exposing a phone case to an ultraviolet disinfection lamp. However, one should be careful about the usage method and maintain safety from it.
Are smelly phone cases harmful?
1.Health Effects
Long-term contact with hazardous chemicals in the phone casings can cause respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and other health problems in a human body. Of course, for children and older adults whose bodies are more sensitive, it is necessary to be more careful.
2.The Effect of Accelerated Aging on the Materials
A strong smell might be a sign of the chemical components’ faster evaporation from the phone case, which may further increase the pace of the aging process of the material applied on it. Thus, it affects the whole life and performance of the applied case material.
How to Avoid Buying Stinky Phone Cases?
1.Read Reviews of the Product
The buyer should read other consumers’ reviews before buying, especially the feedback on whether there will be an odor issue. You can get an initial idea about the product quality and how bad the odor is.
2.Good Brands Reputation
Branded companies care about the quality of the product and the environment. So, the quality of the product in branded companies will be nice, and they can pass all the criteria of the environment; accordingly, they reduce the harmful chemicals.
3.Ask the Sellers
Before purchasing, ask the seller directly about whether there will be a pungent odor with the product and what to do if it exists. The responsible seller shall give detailed answers and proposals.
4.More Environmentally Friendly Material
While choosing phone cases, consider the environmentally friendly materials like silicone and TPU. In contrast to the traditional plastic raw material, they could reduce harmful chemical gas release to a large extent and reduce odor problems.