Formaldehyde is a colourless toxic gas that is emitted from pressed wood, adhesives used for carpentry laminates, vinyl, new fabrics such as curtains and even furniture!
Because it is released slowly over time, formaldehyde can accumulate in indoor air, leading to prolonged exposure. Formaldehyde can take up to 15 years to properly dissipate.
YES! That’s why Home Guards is here to help with this issue for new homes.
After renovation in new homes: Formaldehyde emits in large amounts from new building materials,
like pressed wood and synthetic fabrics and even vinyl & new plastic.
What are the risks associated with formaldehyde emission?
The most common risks are cancer, respiratory issues, asthma, allergies and headaches.
More serious cases are:
Formaldehyde poisoning -severe systemic toxicity, leading to metabolic acidosis,
tissue and organ damage, and coma. There is no antidote for formaldehyde.
We start by conducting a pre-treatment test to assess formaldehyde levels and identify key areas needing attention, to ensure our treatment is targeted at the right areas
2. Preparation BEFORE Formaldehyde Removal Spray
First we seal off electrical plugs sockets to protect sensitive equipment and electronics with plastic sheets.
We then lubricate all hinges for added protection and remove all drawers from cabinets to ensure a thorough application of the formaldehyde removal solution. If you do not wish to spray the solution on your curtains/certain furnitures, do let us know!
We cover all carpentry, exposed drawer surfaces and interiors for thorough treatment. Curtains and furniture are also treated to maximize effectiveness. Non-photocatalyst solutions are used inside cabinetry for 24/7 formaldehyde breakdown in low light conditions, while photocatalyst solutions are applied externally for accelerated removal.
We give you before and after formaldehyde level comparisons so that you know the formaldehyde removal is working for your home! The team will also give you after care instructions to improve the longevity of the coating.
Before and after levels
White Reader: Purely Formaldehyde Levels
Black Reader: Formaldehyde and other VOCs
Our application method differs from that of most service providers. We use two distinct products applied both internally and externally to carpentry: Internally, we apply a non-photocatalyst solution. This means the solution does not require any light to activate and break down formaldehyde. Externally, we apply a photocatalyst version that works more aggressively upon activation by light, serving as an additional layer to quickly break down formaldehyde. Notably, our photocatalyst does not require UV light.
We are the sole distributor of JP-ECO, a formaldehyde removal solution made in Japan. All our products are highly regulated and come with relevant certifications, ensuring homeowners can have peace of mind with Home Guards at the lowest possible price!
Formaldehyde is a colourless gas commonly released by engineered wood, adhesives and finishes used in carpentry. In a newly renovated home the usual sources are built-in cabinetry, wardrobes and feature walls, because these use bonded board products held together with resins that release it slowly over time.
Yes. Emission from new carpentry does not stop when the renovation ends. It continues gradually and can be higher in warm, humid, poorly ventilated conditions, which describes most Singapore homes with the windows shut and air-conditioning running.
Most do not do much. Standard HEPA purifiers are designed to capture particles like dust and pollen, not gas molecules. Some units include activated carbon or specific formaldehyde filters that can help, but capacity is limited and filters saturate, so a purifier alone rarely addresses the source.
We apply a Japan-made dual-technology solution to the surfaces that emit formaldehyde, mainly new carpentry. It is designed to help break formaldehyde down into less harmful compounds, and unlike purely light-activated coatings it is formulated to keep working in both lit and dark conditions.
The treatment is designed to keep working for up to 5 years. Because it acts on the surfaces that emit formaldehyde rather than filtering the air, it does not need filter changes or ongoing running costs once applied.
Ideally after carpentry and painting are complete but before you move furniture in and settle. That gives us clear access to the cabinetry and built-ins that matter most, and it means the treatment is working from the point you start living in the space.
Yes. Alongside floor machine deep cleaning and formaldehyde treatment, we provide post-renovation general cleaning. Many homeowners book all three together, and we can complete every service in a single day.