ᐅ The KALLAX shelf has an unpleasant odor – has anyone else experienced this?

As Jaime already mentioned, off-gassing from new furniture is quite common. In your case, there might have been an unfortunate batch mix of the materials used. If the odor remains very strong, you could try wiping the shelf with a damp cloth without aggressive cleaners to remove surface solvent residues.

A practical tip: Some users report that placing the furniture together with air purifiers that have activated carbon filters helps significantly. This way, the VOCs in the air are better absorbed.

I would also avoid using any chemical cleaners. Just ventilate and be patient.

Jaime schrieb:
The problem is common for furniture made of particleboard or MDF with lacquered or laminated surfaces

Exactly, edge banding is often a source of odors as well because more glue is used on the edges. Have you checked if the smell is stronger near the edges?

marcosku52 schrieb:
Keep a small container with baking soda nearby; it neutralizes odors significantly!

That’s a good suggestion. Baking soda can chemically bind harmful gases but needs time. It certainly doesn’t hurt to combine several such measures.

Hello Jongla! That doesn’t sound very pleasant. 🙁 But keep your spirits up! I once had a similar unpleasant smell with a KALLAX as well. What helped me a lot was placing the shelf outside in the garden for several days (of course, not recommended during damp weather) or in a sunroom. Fresh air and daylight worked wonders! Once the strong emissions are gone, it smells completely normal.

You can do it! 🙂

That sounds really frustrating. I understand wanting to feel comfortable with a piece of furniture, but having the enjoyment spoiled by the odor. I think it’s good that you’re doing thorough research and not rushing into a decision.

Sometimes it helps not to unpack the entire shelving unit right away, but to store the individual shelves separately for a while to let the smells dissipate. Have you considered that?

Thank you all for the helpful responses!

Regarding the question "Do the edges smell more?": Yes, I can actually say that. The edges do smell stronger and somehow sharper than the large surfaces. This probably indicates that the adhesive might be the cause, as Parbo mentioned.

The idea of airing the shelf in the conservatory sounds great. I have a covered space there with good air circulation. I will combine that with baking soda and regular ventilation.

@onan56: I hadn’t considered storing individual parts, that sounds interesting! However, the shelf is already fully assembled and needed for daily use. Maybe I can temporarily remove some of the shelves.

I’ll keep you updated!