Unpleasant chemical odors are common with new furniture; upholstery may have been treated with flame retardants or other chemicals designed to protect the material, while painted or varnished furniture's odors stem from its finish. In either case, the odor can be off-putting.
New furniture can smell bad because of chemicals. To get rid of the smell, open windows and doors for fresh air, use fans, and wipe down the furniture with a mix of water and vinegar. You can also use baking soda or charcoal to soak up the smell. Be patient, it takes time for the smell to go away completely.
While breathing these fumes in on occasion isn't dangerous for most people, it's exposure over time can cause major health issues, explains Dr. Goldbach. “There are many different VOCs and they can have different effects ranging from lung damage to brain issues to cancer,” she said.
The length of time it takes for the new furniture smell to go away depends on a few factors, such as the type of furniture, the materials used, and the ventilation in your home. Typically, the smell will start to dissipate after a few days, but it can take up to several weeks for it to completely go away.
Constant airflow across the surface of the furniture will remove the surface layer of gas and theoretically speed up the out-gassing as well. If you can put it outside then that might work, otherwise open up the drawers (or pull them out entirely) and set up a fan to blow across them and out of the room.
VOCs can continue to off-gas for the entire lifespan of the product. The majority of furniture off-gassing for VOCs takes place in the first several years of owning the product. The time period for off-gassing with VOCs can greatly depend on the materials used to manufacture the product.
How long does formaldehyde last in furniture? There is evidence to show that the off-gassing of formaldehyde from freshly constructed furniture or renovated dwellings takes about two years. High relative humidity and temperature, however, might hasten the off-gassing of volatile organic compounds.
The effects can range from immediate symptoms, like headaches, eye irritation, and nausea, to long-term health risks, such as respiratory issues and even cancer. Keep on reading to learn how to identify and reduce off-gassing in your home.
Indoor formaldehyde mainly comes from materials used in new furniture and construction, such as adhesives, slabs, coatings, oil paints, and wall fabrics. If it's not adequately dealt with, formaldehyde levels can remain dangerously high for up to 15 years after years of ventilation and air purification of a new home.
Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical with a strong pickle-like odor that is commonly used in many manufacturing processes. It easily becomes a gas at room temperature, which makes it part of a larger group of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Ventilate the area effectively
Fresh air circulation helps disperse VOCs and keeps indoor air quality healthier. Open windows and doors to create a cross-breeze. Use fans to direct air outside, especially during the first few weeks. Install air purifiers with HEPA filters to capture airborne chemicals.
Some chemicals with strong odors may cause eye, nose, throat or lung irritation. Strong odors may cause some people to feel a burning sensation that leads to coughing, wheezing or other breathing problems. People who smell strong odors may get headaches or feel dizzy or nauseous.
Chemical odors are strong and potent until they are aired out and generally they are able to disperse themselves naturally around a space and will disappear from a well ventilated space if they are left for a while.
Described light-coloured vinegar removes formaldehyde, and place a glass in each room floor central authorities, place 20-30ml light-coloured vinegar in cup, within every 3 days, add once, treatment cycle is 10 days.
Natural solutions, like baking soda or distilled white vinegar, can be surprisingly effective against chemical smells. Baking soda has odor-absorbing properties, making it a handy ally. Baking soda neutralizes pH levels, which can be effective against acidic compounds responsible for some odors.
The answer is complex and depends on the products in question, as well as the VOCs that they emit. Many types of furniture do their heaviest off-gassing for about a month after they are made. On the other hand, some products may continue off-gassing for years.
Odor adaptation can occur. Low-dose acute exposure can result in headache, rhinitis, and dyspnea; higher doses may cause severe mucous membrane irritation, burning, and lacrimation, and lower respiratory effects such as bronchitis, pulmonary edema, or pneumonia.
Last week, there was good news for families looking for safer furniture across the U.S.—Ashley Furniture, the largest manufacturer and seller of furniture in the country, announced that they are removing toxic flame retardant chemicals from their furniture! Read more about it on Mind the Store's blog.
White vinegar is another potent, natural odor eliminator. Use vinegar bowls by placing small bowls filled with white vinegar inside the furniture drawers or around the area where the new wooden furniture is located. White vinegar's acetic acid neutralizes odor-causing compounds in the air.
The right air purifier can help mitigate the effects of off-gassing and ensure that VOC levels remain low. Sanuvox offers UV light air purifiers that effectively combat volatile organic compounds and odors. Our powerful air purifiers are rated for large rooms, and some can even cover an entire apartment or house!
Formaldehyde is also a common component in new furniture glues, adhesives, and coatings. That might not sound all that bad until you realize that cancer—and a slew of severe respiratory problems—are linked to formaldehyde and other VOCs.
Baking soda sprinkled over upholstery fabric absorbs some of the odor when left to sit for an hour or so. Set any removable cushions aside and sprinkle both the cushions and the areas underneath, as well as all the fabric on an upholstered item. Vacuum the baking soda away to clean it off the furniture.
Some furniture products may expose you to chemicals that are on the Proposition 65 list. These chemicals can cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Proposition 65 requires businesses to determine if they must provide a warning about significant exposure to listed chemicals.
Air purifiers with activated carbon filters can eliminate formaldehyde and hundreds of other chemicals from the ambient air. Activated carbon has a high-efficiency rating when it comes to removing formaldehyde.