Ways to reduce new furniture smell and spot possible risks

The most practical first step in how to get rid of new furniture smell may be to air the piece outdoors, as long as it stays dry. Leave it in a well-ventilated space for 1 to 2 days before bringing it into a main living area or bedroom, and keep the room at a balanced temperature while the odour fades.

A fresh furniture smell can come from adhesives, varnishes and paints, which may release volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde. The smell alone doesn’t reveal whether emissions are at a harmful level, but a persistent or strong odour is a reason to notice how the room feels and whether the scent changes over time.

This guide explains what causes new furniture odour, which signs may call for extra care, and practical ways to help it dissipate. You’ll also learn why dry outdoor airing can be useful, how ventilation and absorbent materials may help, and when a lingering smell deserves a closer look.

1. Are there signs that furniture is off-gassing harmful levels?

New furniture odour can come from adhesives, varnishes and paints releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde. Composite wood, fresh finishes and enclosed drawers can hold the scent close to the surface. The smell suggests compounds are being released, but it can’t show their concentration or establish whether levels are harmful.

For Australian homes, practical indoor-air precautions include ventilating the room, keeping its temperature balanced and choosing furniture described as low-VOC. Higher temperatures can accelerate chemical emissions, so avoid placing a new piece in a hot, closed room. If the odour feels strong, move the furniture to a well-ventilated space and air it for 1 to 2 days before bringing it into a main living area or bedroom.

There’s no single timeframe for how long a smell lasts. Some furniture loses its odour within a few weeks, while other items may continue emitting it for months. Materials and chemical components affect how long the scent lingers. Wood furniture may lose its smell faster than leather or fabric pieces, which can retain odours from chemical processing.

Pay attention to how long the smell lasts and how far it spreads, not just your first impression. If a dresser still scents a closed room after airing, open its drawers and improve airflow around it. Clothes stored inside for more than a week can pick up the odour, so leave drawers empty until the smell eases.

A lingering smell doesn’t prove harmful exposure, but it’s a reason to limit time near the item and improve ventilation. Keep children and other household members away from a strongly scented piece while it airs. If the odour remains noticeable for months, or you’re concerned about indoor air, seek advice from an appropriate health professional rather than using smell alone to judge exposure.

2. Off-gassing from composite wood and unsealed edges

Composite wood can contain adhesives that release volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde. Varnishes and paints may also contribute to a new furniture smell. Check exposed edges, drawer interiors and unfinished surfaces, where the material’s core may be less effectively covered. A strong scent inside a closed drawer can become noticeable when you open it.

Start with a simple inspection. Open each drawer and cupboard, then note whether the odour is strongest near a particular edge or interior surface. Air the furniture in a ventilated space, leaving drawers open so air can circulate. Clothes stored in a new dresser for more than a week may pick up its smell, so wait until the odour fades before storing garments inside.

Cleaning can freshen surfaces, but it won’t necessarily stop emissions from the material beneath a finish. Avoid soaking composite wood, which can be damaged by excess moisture. If using a liquid formaldehyde blocker, the recommended application is an even spray from 20 to 30 cm away. Follow the product directions and apply it only to suitable surfaces.

Sealing exposed areas is another approach. A strong primer can seal furniture and mask odours, while wallpaper lining inside drawers may help contain the smell. These treatments change the surface, so consider the finish and appearance before applying them. Test any coating on a discreet area first, and allow treated furniture to cure undisturbed for 3 to 5 days.

For a future purchase, look for furniture with low VOC emissions, which may help minimise odours and the release of harmful chemicals. A persistent scent around exposed composite-wood edges may take longer to ease than odour on a finished surface. Combine open drawers, ventilation and suitable surface care rather than trying to cover the smell with fragrance.

3. Vinegar, baking soda and activated carbon

Vinegar, baking soda and activated charcoal are household options for managing furniture odour, but they work differently. If you choose to wipe the furniture, use a diluted vinegar-and-water solution. Dampen a cloth rather than spraying the furniture directly. Test a discreet area first, since finishes can react differently to moisture and acidity.

Use a vinegar solution only on a suitable, sealed surface. Wipe gently, dry the area with a clean cloth, then let it air before closing drawers. Avoid applying liquid to exposed composite wood, veneer seams or unsealed edges, where moisture may affect the material. Don’t mix vinegar with other cleaning products; use one method at a time.

Place baking soda in a shallow dish near a smelly dresser or inside an empty drawer. A forum participant also suggested dry, used coffee grounds as an odour absorber. Keep either material contained rather than sprinkling it across timber or upholstery, where residue could be difficult to remove. Replace the dish if it becomes damp or takes on the furniture’s scent.

Activated charcoal bags offer a tidy option for enclosed spaces. Place one inside an empty drawer or cupboard, leaving room for air to circulate around it. Follow the bag’s care instructions. Charcoal bags can be reused by placing them in direct sunlight. Keep the bag dry and remove it before storing clothes if its fabric could transfer residue.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of new furniture smell, these methods may help manage odour in the surrounding air, but they don’t seal composite wood or stop emissions at their source. Pair one absorber with open drawers and steady ventilation, then see whether the smell eases. If these options make little difference, don’t layer fragrances to mask the scent. Give fresh air time to reach drawer interiors and the spaces around the furniture.

4. Air furniture outdoors without getting it wet

Outdoor airing gives a new piece room to release odour into moving air instead of an enclosed bedroom. Choose a sheltered, well-ventilated spot where rain, sprinklers and damp ground won’t reach the furniture. Keep it dry. Moisture can damage some finishes and composite materials, so don’t leave a piece exposed to changing weather.

Before moving it outside, open drawers, cupboard doors and any removable panels. This lets air reach enclosed areas, where a concentrated scent may linger. Position the furniture securely with space around it, rather than against a wall or tightly beneath an overhang. Airing a piece in a ventilated space for 1 to 2 days can help before it enters a main living area or bedroom.

A few hours may not be enough. In one example, airing a dresser’s drawers outdoors for several hours didn’t remove the smell. Use this as a reminder to allow more time and airflow, rather than expecting one short session to clear every odour. Materials and chemical components affect how quickly the scent fades.

Does airing out a room help get rid of new furniture smell? Yes. Open windows when conditions allow and create a path for fresh air to move through the room. You can air the furniture outdoors while ventilating the room, then bring it back inside once dry. Keep the room temperature balanced, since higher temperatures can accelerate chemical emissions.

Check the forecast and the furniture’s surface before leaving it outside, then reassess the scent after airing. If the piece feels damp, move it under shelter and let it dry before bringing it indoors. A dry, open-air location is key: the aim is to disperse odour without causing water damage.

For a thoughtfully furnished outdoor setting, explore outdoor furniture options designed for open-air living.

Attica House: Luxury Outdoor Furniture

Attica House offers Luxury Outdoor Furniture for creating a considered outdoor setting, whether you’re furnishing a balcony, courtyard or garden. Once a new indoor piece has aired and its scent has eased, outdoor furniture can help extend the home’s calm, refined character beyond its walls.

For interiors, Buffets & Cabinets, Coffee Tables and Console Tables bring considered forms and useful surfaces to living spaces. Choose pieces that suit the room’s proportions and how you use it, rather than selecting furniture by appearance alone. A well-composed home balances practical needs with the atmosphere you want each space to hold.

If you’d like guidance on choosing from these furniture offerings, contact Attica House.

Make room for a more considered home

Learning how to get rid of new furniture smell can also prompt a thoughtful look at how each piece contributes to your home. Choose furnishings for the way you live, the atmosphere you want to create and the balance between practical use and visual calm. A well-chosen coffee table can anchor a living space, while a buffet or console table brings both presence and purpose.

Attica House offers Buffets & Cabinets, Coffee Tables and Console Tables for considered interiors. Explore pieces that complement your existing furnishings or help shape a room with a fresh perspective. Each choice can support a more settled, welcoming space.

If you’re ready to explore furniture for your home, contact Attica House. A considered next step can bring you closer to rooms that feel both beautiful and comfortably yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to remove the smell of new furniture?

A practical way to get rid of new furniture smell is to dilute it with fresh air. Open windows when conditions allow, and leave drawers or cupboard doors open so air reaches enclosed spaces. Keep the furniture away from heat, and avoid masking the odour with perfume. If the piece can be moved safely, a dry, sheltered outdoor area offers another place to air it.

Are there signs that furniture is off-gassing harmful levels?

The odour alone can’t establish whether furniture is releasing harmful levels of chemicals. Notice whether the smell persists, spreads through a closed room or transfers to belongings such as clothing. Improve ventilation and limit time near a strongly scented piece while it airs. If you’re concerned about exposure or experience health effects, seek advice from an appropriate health professional.

How Common Is New Furniture Off-Gassing in Homes?

New furniture can release volatile compounds into indoor air, particularly from its materials or finishes. The presence and intensity of an odour vary with the item’s construction, finishes and ventilation. A noticeable scent doesn’t reliably measure exposure, and there isn’t one prevalence figure that applies to every Australian home. Low-emission furniture and good airflow can help limit odour concerns.

What causes the smell of new furniture?

New furniture odour can come from adhesives, varnishes and paints, which may release volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde. Composite wood may contain adhesives, while leather and fabric pieces can retain scents from chemical processing. A closed drawer can concentrate odour, making it more noticeable when opened. Materials, finishes and airflow all affect how a particular piece smells.

How to remove new furniture smell safely and quickly?

Start with ventilation rather than strong fragrances or aggressive cleaning. Open doors and drawers, move the item to a dry, airy space if practical, and keep the room temperature balanced. Allow 1 to 2 days of airing before placing it in a main living area or bedroom. Avoid wetting unfinished or composite-wood surfaces, and follow the furniture maker’s care instructions.

Do baking soda, activated charcoal, or vinegar absorb furniture odours?

Baking soda and activated charcoal can be placed near an odorous item to help manage smells in enclosed spaces; keep them contained to prevent residue on the finish. A 1:1 water-and-vinegar solution is for cautious wiping on suitable sealed surfaces, not for soaking furniture. These methods may freshen the surrounding air, but they don’t stop emissions from materials beneath a finish.