ᐅ Has anyone experienced a musty smell coming from the KALLAX unit located near the basement?
Created on: 6 Aug 2020 08:37
T
TomeleoHello everyone,
I recently took a KALLAX shelf from Ikea out of the basement, and although I cleaned it thoroughly beforehand, I still notice a rather musty smell that hasn’t improved over time. Has anyone experienced this issue? I’m especially interested in whether the material of the KALLAX, which is mostly made of wood fibers, is prone to absorbing odors permanently, particularly from damp or slightly moldy basement environments. What methods do you recommend for deeply removing such odors, and is it advisable to keep the furniture ventilated permanently or even treat it with special products?
I’m looking forward to your tips and experiences!
I recently took a KALLAX shelf from Ikea out of the basement, and although I cleaned it thoroughly beforehand, I still notice a rather musty smell that hasn’t improved over time. Has anyone experienced this issue? I’m especially interested in whether the material of the KALLAX, which is mostly made of wood fibers, is prone to absorbing odors permanently, particularly from damp or slightly moldy basement environments. What methods do you recommend for deeply removing such odors, and is it advisable to keep the furniture ventilated permanently or even treat it with special products?
I’m looking forward to your tips and experiences!
Hello Tomeleo,
I’m familiar with this problem, especially when the KALLAX was stored directly in the basement. The material tends to absorb moisture and odors easily because it is made of wood fiberboard. If it wasn’t stored completely dry, a musty smell can develop and become persistent.
My advice would be to start by placing the shelf in a well-ventilated area. Ideally outdoors, but not in direct sunlight, as the boards can swell. You can then sprinkle baking soda on the shelf or use vinegar-water cleaning solutions to neutralize the odors. Sometimes removing the back panel helps improve air circulation as well.
If that doesn’t work, there are special odor absorbers or activated charcoal products that you can put inside the shelf. It’s important that the basement is really dry; otherwise, these measures will have limited effect.
Good luck with that – let us know how it goes!
I’m familiar with this problem, especially when the KALLAX was stored directly in the basement. The material tends to absorb moisture and odors easily because it is made of wood fiberboard. If it wasn’t stored completely dry, a musty smell can develop and become persistent.
My advice would be to start by placing the shelf in a well-ventilated area. Ideally outdoors, but not in direct sunlight, as the boards can swell. You can then sprinkle baking soda on the shelf or use vinegar-water cleaning solutions to neutralize the odors. Sometimes removing the back panel helps improve air circulation as well.
If that doesn’t work, there are special odor absorbers or activated charcoal products that you can put inside the shelf. It’s important that the basement is really dry; otherwise, these measures will have limited effect.
Good luck with that – let us know how it goes!
Hello Tomeleo,
to address your issue more precisely: The KALLAX is made of particleboard with a melamine coating. This material is open-pored, which allows moisture and odors to be absorbed over time, especially if it was stored in a basement where humidity is often higher.
Here is a brief guide on what you can do:
1. Completely dry out the furniture: Place it in a heated, well-ventilated room.
2. Odor neutralization: Baking soda works very well—sprinkle it on the affected surfaces (including inside) and leave it for 2–3 days, then vacuum it off.
3. Use vinegar water for damp wiping (vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant and removes mold odors).
4. Place activated charcoal bags inside—these absorbers help with stubborn smells.
5. Optional: An antibacterial furniture cleaner can help if mold residues are present.
Avoid aggressive cleaning agents, as they may damage the melamine coating.
By the way, if you frequently use such shelves from basement rooms, you should regularly monitor the humidity to prevent persistent odors.
Hope this helps!
to address your issue more precisely: The KALLAX is made of particleboard with a melamine coating. This material is open-pored, which allows moisture and odors to be absorbed over time, especially if it was stored in a basement where humidity is often higher.
Here is a brief guide on what you can do:
1. Completely dry out the furniture: Place it in a heated, well-ventilated room.
2. Odor neutralization: Baking soda works very well—sprinkle it on the affected surfaces (including inside) and leave it for 2–3 days, then vacuum it off.
3. Use vinegar water for damp wiping (vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant and removes mold odors).
4. Place activated charcoal bags inside—these absorbers help with stubborn smells.
5. Optional: An antibacterial furniture cleaner can help if mold residues are present.
Avoid aggressive cleaning agents, as they may damage the melamine coating.
By the way, if you frequently use such shelves from basement rooms, you should regularly monitor the humidity to prevent persistent odors.
Hope this helps!
P
pauPierce7 Aug 2020 15:52KUDAISY schrieb:
The KALLAX is made of particleboard with a melamine coating. This material is open-pored, allowing moisture and odors to be absorbed over time.Exactly, and I’d like to add the following: Often, it’s not enough to just treat the visible surfaces. Especially with KALLAX shelves, the internal dividers and back panels can be major moisture traps. Here’s what I would recommend:
- Completely disassemble the shelving unit, if possible
- Treat and air out all panels separately
- If there is a strong odor, lightly sand the edges, as moisture often penetrates there
- Place a shallow dish of baking powder (or baking soda) inside the shelf and leave it for several days
Keep in mind that damage from cold or repeated moisture cycles can harm the material’s structure, which may cause long-term odor issues and loss of stability. If the smell persists despite all measures, you should check the unit for damage or consider replacing it.
One quick question for you: Is the shelf permanently located in the basement, or was it just stored there? That would help to better assess the situation.
pauPierce schrieb:
One more quick question for you: Is the shelf permanently stored in the basement, or was it just kept there temporarily?Thanks for the hint! The shelf was in the same basement room for about one year, which unfortunately isn’t really well heated or ventilated. There have been some minor moisture issues in the meantime, but so far no visible mold on the furniture. After removing it, I thoroughly wiped the shelf with soapy water and let it dry well, but it still smells damp.
I’m wondering if the material itself can retain odors long-term, meaning whether the smell molecules can be removed, or if this type of furniture needs to be replaced after a short time. I don’t want to buy a new KALLAX right away if I can practically save the old one.
Similar topics