When you bring home new wood furniture, you’re probably excited about the way it looks and fits into your space. But sometimes, there’s a catch—an unpleasant chemical smell that lingers, making it hard to enjoy your new piece.
This odor is often caused by formaldehyde, a common chemical found in wood furniture finishes, adhesives, and pressed wood products. If you’ve noticed a strong chemical smell coming from your new furniture and want to know how to remove formaldehyde smell from wood furniture, don’t worry!
With a few simple steps and natural remedies, you can reduce the odor and enjoy your furniture without the smell.
Why Does Wood Furniture Smell Like Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) commonly used in wood finishes, adhesives, and pressed wood products like plywood, particleboard, and MDF.
It’s often present in new wood furniture, especially pieces made from engineered wood or finished with certain varnishes. The strong chemical odor you notice is the result of formaldehyde off-gassing—when the compound slowly releases into the air as a gas.
This off-gassing can continue for weeks or even months, but the good news is that you can speed up the process and reduce the smell with the right techniques.
Step-by-Step Techniques to Remove Formaldehyde Smell from Wood Furniture
To remove formaldehyde smell from wood furniture, start by airing out the furniture in a well-ventilated area, then use natural odor absorbers like activated charcoal, baking soda, or white vinegar to neutralize the smell. Proper cleaning and regular ventilation will help eliminate the formaldehyde odor over time.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get rid of formaldehyde smell from wood furniture and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.
Step 1: Air Out the Furniture
One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce formaldehyde smell is to air out the furniture. Fresh air helps the off-gassing process and allows the formaldehyde to escape into the environment instead of lingering inside your home.
- Place the furniture in a well-ventilated area: If possible, place the furniture outside in a covered area like a porch or garage where it’s protected from moisture. This allows the formaldehyde to off-gas more quickly without affecting the indoor air quality of your home.
- Open windows and doors: If outdoor space isn’t available, place the furniture in a room with plenty of windows and keep them open to ensure proper airflow. You can also use fans to help increase ventilation.
- Let it air out for a few days: The longer the furniture is exposed to fresh air, the more formaldehyde will be released. Leave the furniture in a ventilated space for at least a few days, or even up to a week if the smell is strong.
Step 2: Use Activated Charcoal to Absorb the Odor
Activated charcoal is a powerful natural odor absorber that can help trap formaldehyde and other VOCs. It’s a great option for reducing formaldehyde smell in wood furniture and improving the air quality in your home.
- Place activated charcoal near the furniture: Set bowls or bags of activated charcoal near the furniture or inside drawers, cabinets, or shelves. Activated charcoal works by absorbing odors and chemicals from the air.
- Leave it in place for several days: Allow the activated charcoal to sit near the furniture for a few days to absorb the formaldehyde fumes. You can leave the charcoal in place for as long as necessary to keep the air fresh.
- Replace as needed: Activated charcoal loses its effectiveness over time, so replace it every couple of weeks or whenever you notice the smell returning.
Activated charcoal is an excellent, non-toxic way to remove formaldehyde smell from wood furniture without introducing additional chemicals.
Step 3: Try Baking Soda for Odor Control
Baking soda is another great natural remedy for absorbing unpleasant odors, including formaldehyde. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and safe to use on wood furniture.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the furniture surface: Lightly sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the wood furniture, especially in drawers, cabinets, and any other areas where the smell is strongest. You can also place small bowls of baking soda inside enclosed spaces like drawers or cupboards.
- Let it sit for several hours or overnight: Allow the baking soda to sit on the furniture for several hours, or overnight, to absorb the formaldehyde fumes.
- Vacuum or wipe it off: After the baking soda has had time to work, vacuum it up or wipe it off with a clean cloth. This should help remove some of the odor.
For an even stronger deodorizing effect, you can repeat this process a few times to continue absorbing formaldehyde over time.
Step 4: Use White Vinegar to Neutralize the Odor
White vinegar is a powerful natural deodorizer and can help neutralize formaldehyde smell in wood furniture.
- Place bowls of vinegar near the furniture: Pour white vinegar into shallow bowls and place them near the furniture. Vinegar works by neutralizing odor-causing particles in the air, including formaldehyde.
- Let the vinegar sit for 24–48 hours: Leave the vinegar bowls near the furniture for a day or two to allow them to absorb the odor. Be sure to replace the vinegar if it becomes saturated with odors.
- Wipe the furniture with a vinegar solution: For an extra boost, you can wipe the surface of the furniture with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Just be sure to test the solution on a small, hidden area of the furniture first to ensure it won’t damage the finish.
Vinegar is a safe, non-toxic option for deodorizing wood furniture and helping reduce formaldehyde off-gassing.
Step 5: Try an Air Purifier with a HEPA or Carbon Filter
If you’re dealing with a persistent formaldehyde odor, an air purifier with a HEPA or activated carbon filter can help clean the air and remove the fumes more effectively.
- Use an air purifier in the room with the furniture: Place a high-quality air purifier in the room where the wood furniture is located. Look for an air purifier with a HEPA or activated carbon filter, as these are designed to capture and remove formaldehyde and other VOCs from the air.
- Run the air purifier continuously: Keep the air purifier running for several hours a day or overnight to help reduce the concentration of formaldehyde in the room. Over time, this can help improve the overall air quality and minimize the smell.
Air purifiers are especially useful for larger pieces of furniture or when the formaldehyde odor is particularly strong and persistent.
Step 6: Seal the Wood to Prevent Further Off-Gassing
If you’ve tried the above methods and the formaldehyde smell continues to linger, sealing the wood can help prevent further off-gassing and contain the odor.
- Use a non-toxic sealant: Look for a non-toxic, low-VOC sealant designed for wood furniture. Water-based polyurethane or shellac are good options for creating a barrier between the formaldehyde and the air.
- Apply the sealant to the furniture: Carefully apply the sealant to all exposed wood surfaces, including the interior and underside of drawers or shelves. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and drying times.
- Let the furniture air out after sealing: Once the sealant has dried, allow the furniture to air out in a well-ventilated area for a few days to ensure that the fumes are fully contained.
Sealing the wood can help prevent further formaldehyde off-gassing and protect your home’s air quality.
Step 7: Maintain Proper Ventilation
Even after you’ve removed most of the formaldehyde odor, it’s important to maintain good ventilation to prevent the smell from building up again.
- Keep windows open: Regularly open windows in rooms where the furniture is located to ensure proper airflow and prevent the buildup of VOCs in your home.
- Use fans: Place fans near the furniture to help circulate fresh air and speed up the off-gassing process.
- Air out new furniture regularly: Anytime you bring new wood furniture into your home, make sure to air it out and follow these same steps to prevent formaldehyde buildup in the future.
Proper ventilation is key to reducing indoor air pollution and keeping your home smelling fresh.
That’s it!
Dealing with formaldehyde smell from wood furniture can be frustrating, but with the right methods, you can reduce the odor and enjoy your furniture without the lingering chemical scent.
By airing out the furniture, using natural odor absorbers like baking soda and activated charcoal, and sealing the wood when necessary, you can remove the smell effectively and safely.
Remember, formaldehyde off-gassing decreases over time, so while the smell may be strong at first, it will gradually fade with consistent ventilation and odor control. With these tips, you can keep your home smelling fresh and ensure your furniture is a safe and pleasant addition to your living space.
