My new loveseat is trying to kill me.

September 2, 2017 7:01 AM

Bought used, upon delivery noticed a chemical smell. Whenever I sit on it I end up breaking out in hives. What could be causing it and how do I fix it?

Got this awesome used loveseat that I didn't realize stinks like chemicals and makes me break out badly. I assume the smell is from the previous owner's efforts at cleaning. I don't own a steam cleaner, and I'm wondering if there is a way to solve this problem without renting one.

posted by crunchy potato to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

You can rent an ozone machine and put it and the loveseat in a small sealed room for a day or so.
posted by Jon44 at 7:24 AM on September 2, 2017

Do you have a backyard? You could try putting it outside and airing it out. Fair warning - this might take like 2 weeks. The cleaner used probably has VOCs in it if you can smell chemicals, or formaldehydes. Eventually that stuff will off-gas (similar to how that new car smell eventually goes away too).
posted by FireFountain at 9:22 AM on September 2, 2017

FireFountain has it. This is (most likely) short-term volatile stuff.

Jump on it a bit, let the dog or cat sleep on it, put it outside (sheltered) for a few days. Beat it like a rug. Rinse and repeat.

Air and sunlight and time are your friends here.
posted by SaltySalticid at 4:21 PM on September 2, 2017

Response by poster: Thanks all for the answers. Nothing worked and I was getting hives as well as problems breathing so we threw out the loveseat. My theory is that between purchase and delivery it was stored near other items that had been treated with walnut oil. PSA for those who donate their furniture to be careful what you treat it with as I'm not the only one with a nut allergy.
posted by crunchy potato at 5:14 PM on September 11, 2017