ᐅ My new Kallax has a strong smell of paint – how long will it last?

Hello everyone,

I recently ordered a new Kallax shelf unit from IKEA, and upon delivery, I noticed it has a very strong smell of paint and chemicals. It’s quite intense, and I’m wondering how long this odor usually lasts?

I’ve read that such furniture is often treated with coatings that can off-gas for a while, but I couldn’t find any specific timeframes. The apartment is well ventilated, yet the smell is still noticeable. I’d like to know if you’ve experienced something similar and if you have any tips to speed up or reduce the off-gassing.

Thanks for your experiences and advice!

Godan schrieb:
I recently ordered a new Kallax shelf from IKEA, and upon delivery, I noticed a very strong smell of paint and chemicals

I completely understand that the smell bothers you. In my experience, the odor from varnishes or paints usually lasts a few days up to two weeks. It’s really important to air out the room well, and maintaining a relatively high room temperature can also help speed up the off-gassing process.

Godan schrieb:
if there are any tips to speed up or reduce the off-gassing

Sometimes a charcoal filter box or at least a dish of baking soda can help absorb the odors. I was uncertain at first too, but after a while it usually dissipates on its own. If the smell remains very strong, I would consider reporting it to IKEA again, as this shouldn’t be normal. Hope this helps! 🙂

Godan schrieb:
That’s quite persistent, and I wonder how long this smell usually lasts?

You have described the situation very well regarding the initial condition. Generally, furniture made from particleboard with a painted finish, like the Kallax, often smells due to the paints, adhesives, and surface treatments used. The odor originates from the release of organic solvents that are used during production and gradually evaporate over time.

Typically, off-gassing lasts from several days up to around four weeks. Depending on how well the area is ventilated, the smell may fade faster or slower.

- Tip 1: Temperature plays a major role since higher temperatures increase volatility. So if possible, keep the room temperature around 20–22 degrees Celsius (68–72 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Tip 2: Regular airing out by opening windows several times a day (shock ventilation) is more effective than keeping windows slightly open continuously.
- Tip 3: If the smell remains unusually strong after several weeks, consider a possible sensitivity to the materials or particularly aggressive coatings.

The intensity of off-gassing can also vary depending on the production batch or factory.

I’m curious to know in which room the shelving unit is placed (living room, bedroom?) and whether you are sensitive to smells, as this can affect perception.

An alternative, especially for open-pored furniture or shelving, is to treat it with special odor-neutralizing products, although this is less common with Kallax.

Have you already checked if IKEA offers any warranty or exchange policy in your case if the smell is really unbearable?

kulau schrieb:
Typically, off-gassing lasts several days up to about four weeks.

That’s correct. For me, at Kallax, it took about three weeks until there was no more smell.

Just keep ventilating regularly and avoid placing any chemicals nearby. After that, the odor disappears.