ᐅ The KALLAX shelf has an unpleasant odor – has anyone else experienced this?
Created on: 8 Jan 2020 08:47
J
JonglaHello everyone,
about two weeks ago I bought a KALLAX shelf unit from IKEA and noticed right away when unpacking that it has an unpleasant smell. It is a very strong, chemical-like odor that can be quite overwhelming in the room. I suspect it comes from the paint or some kind of coating, but I’m not sure. Has anyone else had similar experiences? How did you manage to get rid of the smell or at least reduce it? I would like to understand the cause as precisely as possible before taking any further steps. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
about two weeks ago I bought a KALLAX shelf unit from IKEA and noticed right away when unpacking that it has an unpleasant smell. It is a very strong, chemical-like odor that can be quite overwhelming in the room. I suspect it comes from the paint or some kind of coating, but I’m not sure. Has anyone else had similar experiences? How did you manage to get rid of the smell or at least reduce it? I would like to understand the cause as precisely as possible before taking any further steps. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
This issue is common with furniture made from particleboard or MDF with lacquered or foil surfaces, as often used in the KALLAX shelf. It is most likely caused by emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from adhesives, lacquers, or coatings.
The best solution is to air out the shelf for several days in well-ventilated, warm spaces. Avoid placing the shelf in small, poorly ventilated rooms. Some also recommend using activated charcoal to reduce odors, which can be helpful.
The best solution is to air out the shelf for several days in well-ventilated, warm spaces. Avoid placing the shelf in small, poorly ventilated rooms. Some also recommend using activated charcoal to reduce odors, which can be helpful.
M
marcosku528 Jan 2020 10:02Haha, the KALLAX whisperers are at it again 😉
Seriously though: I once had a shelf like that, and it smelled like a mix of nail polish studio and freshly oiled wood. Leave it open, let it air out, and be a bit patient—that worked wonders for me. A tip from me: keep a small container of baking soda nearby; it neutralizes odors really well!
Seriously though: I once had a shelf like that, and it smelled like a mix of nail polish studio and freshly oiled wood. Leave it open, let it air out, and be a bit patient—that worked wonders for me. A tip from me: keep a small container of baking soda nearby; it neutralizes odors really well!
Regarding odor issues with KALLAX shelves: This is usually caused by a combination of melamine resin-coated particleboards and the adhesives used to bond the panels. New furniture can sometimes emit formaldehyde and other VOCs, which can vary depending on storage and manufacturing conditions.
My advice: airing out the shelf is essential. Ideally, place it in a well-ventilated area, preferably avoiding direct sunlight, as heat can accelerate off-gassing but should not be too strong to avoid damaging the board.
If the odor does not noticeably decrease after several weeks, it would be useful to know if certain components have a particularly strong smell—this might indicate surface defects or manufacturing faults.
Do you still have the packaging? Sometimes the glue on the packaging or residues from transport can also affect the smell.
My advice: airing out the shelf is essential. Ideally, place it in a well-ventilated area, preferably avoiding direct sunlight, as heat can accelerate off-gassing but should not be too strong to avoid damaging the board.
If the odor does not noticeably decrease after several weeks, it would be useful to know if certain components have a particularly strong smell—this might indicate surface defects or manufacturing faults.
Do you still have the packaging? Sometimes the glue on the packaging or residues from transport can also affect the smell.
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