Why TVOC Increases After Cleaning on Temtop M10+ Malaysia
Why TVOC Increases After Cleaning on Temtop M10+ Malaysia
A Temtop M10+ may show a sudden increase in TVOC after a room is cleaned.
This does not automatically mean that the monitor is faulty.
Many cleaning products release volatile compounds into the air. Sprays, fragrances, alcohol-based products, solvents, and other chemicals may temporarily increase the TVOC indication.
The reading should be used to identify a change in the indoor environment. It does not identify the exact chemical causing that change.
What Is TVOC?
TVOC means total volatile organic compounds.
It is a combined indication of different volatile compounds that may be present in the air.
Possible sources include:
- Cleaning liquids.
- Disinfectant sprays.
- Alcohol-based products.
- Air fresheners.
- Perfume.
- Paint.
- Adhesives.
- Furniture.
- Cabinets.
- Flooring.
- Solvents.
- Personal care products.
- Cooking.
- Printer materials.
- Renovation products.
A TVOC reading does not tell the user which individual compound is present.
Why Cleaning Products Affect the Reading
Some cleaning products evaporate after they are applied.
The concentration near the monitor may increase when staff:
- Spray disinfectant.
- Use alcohol wipes.
- Mop with scented cleaner.
- Polish furniture.
- Clean glass.
- Use air freshener.
- Apply insect spray.
- Use adhesive remover.
- Clean with solvent-based products.
The reading may rise quickly if the product is sprayed close to the monitor.
1. The Product Was Sprayed Near the M10+
Direct spray can create a high local concentration around the sensor.
Do not place the Temtop M10+ directly beside:
- A spray bottle.
- A cleaning trolley.
- A chemical storage cabinet.
- A freshly cleaned table.
- A rubbish bin containing cleaning materials.
- A diffuser.
- An air freshener.
Move the monitor to a representative occupied location and allow the reading to respond to the general room condition.
Never spray any product into the monitor air inlet.
2. The Room Was Closed During Cleaning
A closed room may allow volatile compounds to accumulate.
This commonly happens in:
- Meeting rooms.
- Bedrooms.
- Clinics.
- Treatment rooms.
- Offices.
- Classrooms.
- Hotel rooms.
- Shops.
- Air-conditioned reception areas.
If the room is safe to enter and normal procedures permit, review whether suitable ventilation is available.
During haze, consider outdoor particle conditions before opening windows. A ventilation action that lowers TVOC may allow outdoor PM2.5 to enter.
Monitor both parameters when possible.
3. Air Freshener Was Used After Cleaning
A room may smell clean because fragrance has been added.
However, fragrances can contribute to the TVOC indication.
Possible sources include:
- Aerosol air fresheners.
- Automatic fragrance dispensers.
- Scented diffusers.
- Perfumed cleaning products.
- Scented candles.
- Deodorisers.
A pleasant smell does not confirm that the TVOC reading should be low.
4. Alcohol-Based Disinfectant Was Used
Alcohol-based disinfectants and hand sanitisers may cause a short-term response from a broad TVOC sensor.
The displayed value may rise when:
- Hands are sanitised near the monitor.
- A table is wiped with alcohol.
- Disinfectant is sprayed in the room.
- Used wipes are left nearby.
- A container is left open.
Move the chemical source away, close the container, and observe whether the reading falls over time.
5. Cleaning Disturbed Other Indoor Sources
Cleaning may also disturb materials already present in the room.
Examples include:
- Moving new furniture.
- Opening cabinets.
- Removing protective plastic.
- Cleaning painted surfaces.
- Moving stored chemicals.
- Opening boxes.
- Using adhesives for minor repairs.
Record what happened before the reading increased. The cleaning product may not be the only possible source.
6. The Air Conditioner Is Recirculating the Air
An air conditioner may cool the room without providing enough fresh air exchange.
The room may feel comfortable while volatile compounds remain indoors.
Check whether the building ventilation system is operating and whether the room has a suitable fresh air supply.
Do not modify building ventilation equipment without proper assessment.
7. The Reading Needs Time to Recover
After exposure to a strong vapour source, the displayed TVOC value may not return to its earlier level immediately.
Recovery time may depend on:
- Amount of product used.
- Distance from the monitor.
- Room size.
- Ventilation.
- Temperature.
- Air movement.
- Duration of exposure.
- Type of volatile compound.
Observe the trend instead of judging the instrument from one moment.
A Simple TVOC Investigation Method
Step 1: Record the Normal Reading
Check the room before cleaning begins.
Record:
- TVOC.
- PM2.5.
- CO2.
- Temperature.
- Humidity.
- Door and window condition.
Step 2: Record the Products Used
Write down the type of cleaning liquid, spray, disinfectant, or fragrance used.
Step 3: Keep the Monitor Away From Direct Spray
Place the M10+ in a representative occupied area.
Step 4: Observe the Change
Check whether TVOC increases during or after cleaning.
Step 5: Remove Open Containers
Close chemical bottles and remove used cloths or wipes according to the site procedure.
Step 6: Review Ventilation
Use suitable ventilation where permitted and consider the outdoor haze condition.
Step 7: Observe the Recovery Trend
Check whether TVOC gradually falls after the activity stops.
A repeatable increase linked to cleaning suggests that the sensor is responding to an environmental change.
Why PM2.5 May Remain Low
Cleaning products can increase TVOC without producing a large PM2.5 increase.
This is because:
- TVOC relates to volatile compounds.
- PM2.5 relates to fine particles.
A room can have:
- Low PM2.5 and high TVOC.
- High PM2.5 and low TVOC.
- Both readings high.
- Both readings low.
Each parameter must be interpreted separately.
Why CO2 May Also Increase
If cleaning is performed in a closed occupied room, CO2 may rise because of limited fresh air exchange.
The M10+ can therefore show three different patterns:
- PM2.5 affected by particles and haze.
- CO2 affected by occupancy and ventilation.
- TVOC affected by volatile indoor sources.
One good reading does not guarantee that every other parameter will also be low.
TVOC Does Not Identify a Specific Chemical
The Temtop M10+ provides a broad TVOC indication.
It should not be used to claim that the monitor has identified:
- A specific solvent.
- Formaldehyde.
- Benzene.
- Alcohol.
- A particular cleaning chemical.
- A toxic industrial gas.
If the application requires identification or accurate measurement of a particular chemical, use an appropriate dedicated instrument or professional sampling method.
Do Not Compare TVOC Directly With Another Sensor Type
Two instruments may use different sensor technologies, internal calculations, units, and response behaviour.
Before comparing monitors, confirm:
- Exact model.
- Measurement type.
- Display unit.
- Operating mode.
- Warm-up or stabilisation requirements.
- Sensor limitations.
- Test environment.
A TVOC monitor and a dedicated single-gas detector are not equivalent instruments.
When the TVOC Reading May Need Further Checking
Further inspection may be appropriate when:
- The reading remains unusually high in several clean and ventilated locations.
- The value does not respond when moved to a different environment.
- The display remains frozen.
- The monitor shows an error.
- Liquid was sprayed into the unit.
- The instrument was exposed to water.
- The unit was dropped.
- A large difference remains during a controlled comparison.
- The reading changes without any identifiable environmental change.
Do not apply cleaning chemicals directly to the monitor. Follow the manufacturer instructions when cleaning the instrument casing.
Checking Is Not Calibration
Moving the monitor between rooms can show whether it responds to changing conditions.
This is a functional check, not a formal calibration.
Calibration requires an appropriate reference, controlled conditions, and a defined procedure.
A comparison with another general TVOC monitor does not automatically prove which unit is correct.
Temtop M10+ Support in Malaysia
A TVOC increase after cleaning is often linked to products or vapours released during the activity.
Record the products used, move the monitor away from direct spray, review ventilation, and observe whether the reading recovers.
If the TVOC reading remains unusual after a controlled test, WhatsApp MTM Precision with:
- A clear photo of the monitor.
- The complete model label.
- The displayed TVOC reading.
- The cleaning products used.
- The measurement location.
- A short video showing the visible error or symptom.
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
Showroom and Service Centre: No. 29-1 and 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 03-8080 7172
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
07 Oct 2026
