ᐅ The Kallax shelf still has a strange odor after several years – has anyone else experienced this?

Hello everyone,

I have an IKEA Kallax shelving unit that I bought about 5 years ago. Lately, I’ve noticed a strange smell that seems somewhat "artificial" and reminiscent of chemicals. The odor mainly comes from the compartments, even though I regularly wipe the unit and don’t store anything inside that could cause the smell.

Has anyone experienced that a Kallax unit can still emit odors of wood preservatives, formaldehyde, or other harmful substances even after several years? Are there any ways to permanently get rid of this smell? I’m especially interested in whether the material itself can be a source of emissions that remain active for a long time.

Thanks in advance for your insights and tips.

GEKEO schrieb:
For some time now, I have noticed a strange smell that seems "artificial" and reminds me of chemicals.

That sounds really unpleasant! I had a similar experience with an MDF shelf I bought a few years ago. The smell lingered for a long time and was quite bothersome. In my case, leaving the furniture in a well-ventilated area for several weeks helped, along with occasionally treating it with baking soda to absorb odor particles.

Maybe try placing it in a completely airy spot? You could also try using activated charcoal or special odor absorbers inside the shelf. I’m curious if that works for you too!

In shelving units like the Kallax, the main material is usually particleboard with a melamine resin coating. These materials can actually emit formaldehyde and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds), especially when the furniture is new.

It is rather unusual, but not impossible, for the odor to persist after 5 years, especially if the shelf has been rarely ventilated or if the room air quality is generally poor.

A practical tip would be to treat the compartments with special air purifiers or an ozone generator, although the latter should be used with caution. Alternatively, frequent ventilation and the use of activated charcoal often work best to absorb the pollutants.

Blavin schrieb:
It is rather unusual for the odor to last even after 5 years.

I can confirm this. In my case, a Kallax shelf initially had a strong smell as well, but after a few weeks it had basically disappeared. Since I regularly opened and aired out the compartments, there was no longer any noticeable off-gassing.

If the odor really persists for years, I would also suspect that moisture or some kind of damage to the material might be involved, releasing harmful gases continuously. What about the location? Is the shelf often exposed to damp conditions or is it placed in a rather enclosed space?

Jeanbar schrieb:
What is the location like? Is the shelf often damp or is it in a more enclosed room?

Thanks for the helpful suggestion! The shelf is in a rather cool room that is not frequently ventilated – it’s a study with mostly closed windows, usually only opened for a few minutes in the evening. So far, I haven’t noticed any moisture, but I will check it with a hygrometer.

Otherwise, I have always kept the shelf dry and haven’t stored any plants or damp items on it. Still, the smell is there, which honestly bothers me quite a bit since I use the room often.

Since ventilation plays an important role, make sure to regularly and thoroughly air the room by opening windows for short periods. This is especially important with older, closed furniture surfaces, as VOCs can otherwise remain trapped inside.

Another method is placing activated charcoal or birch tar charcoal in the shelves. These help to absorb or at least reduce unpleasant odors.

Using vinegar water for wiping can also provide short-term relief, as vinegar chemically binds to odor molecules. Important: after wiping, ensure the room is well ventilated.