# Why does brand-new carpeting smell like green weed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 4, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-brand-new-carpeting-smell-like-green-weed/605002 "2011-12-04T02:59:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-brand-new-carpeting-smell-like-green-weed/605002/1 "2011-12-04T02:59:14Z")
In my opinion, a completely brand-new, newly-installed carpet smells similar to the tangy aroma of fresh, green, _ **high-quality** _ cannabis buds. I’ve witnessed countless installations of new carpets, and been present in countless newly-constructed homes with freshly-laid carpeting. And, for some reason, it always has that same smell. Why is this? ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-brand-new-carpeting-smell-like-green-weed/605002/2 "2011-12-04T08:27:15Z")
Carpet can contain formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, and benzene, none of which has a pleasant aroma or affect. ---
**Author:** ![heathen\_earthling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/13edae/32.png) [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2011, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-brand-new-carpeting-smell-like-green-weed/605002/3 "2011-12-04T12:07:44Z")
But isn’t the OP describing a pleasant aroma? (I don’t know how pleasant it actually is, as I can’t recall ever smelling brand new carpet.)