How to Get Rid of the Varnish Odor in New Furniture

Quck answer

Removing varnish smell from new furniture can be done using simple household items. Here’s how:

1. Ventilation: Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate in the room.

2. Baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda on the furniture and leave it overnight. Vacuum it off the next day.

3. Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Dampen a cloth with the solution and wipe down the furniture. Vinegar helps neutralize odors.

4. Coffee grounds: Place coffee grounds in a bowl and put it near the furniture. Coffee absorbs odors effectively.

5. Charcoal: Put a few pieces of charcoal in a bowl and place it near the furniture. Charcoal is known for its odor-absorbing properties.

By following these steps, you can eliminate the varnish smell and enjoy your new furniture without any unpleasant odors.


When you buy new furniture, it often has a strong smell of varnish or other offensive odors, which is known as “off-gassing.” This happens when the volatile organic compounds in the furniture start to evaporate. These compounds can come from varnish, staining solutions, and other chemical treatments used on the fabric or materials used in construction. Sometimes, these odors can cause headaches, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and other symptoms in people who are sensitive to them. The smell will eventually go away on its own, but there are ways to speed up the process.

Step 1

If possible, place the new furniture in a garage or another covered area for a few days to allow it to release any “off-gassing.”

Step 2

If you don’t have a garage or covered area, open the windows and doors in your home to air out the furniture. You can also use ceiling or oscillating fans to help remove the odor more quickly.

Step 3

Place small bowls filled with baking soda near the furniture that has the varnish smell. This is an old-fashioned but effective method for eliminating odors from refrigerators and other areas. The baking soda absorbs the odor and neutralizes the air. Leave the bowls out for two or three days for the best results.

Step 4

Put bowls of white distilled vinegar in the room near the new furniture. Vinegar absorbs the unpleasant odor and leaves the room smelling fresh. Leave the bowls out overnight or longer to allow the vinegar to remove the smell. The vinegar smell will dissipate within thirty minutes of removing the bowls.

Step 5

Position two or three containers of activated charcoal around the new furniture. The charcoal will neutralize the odor by absorbing it from the air. Leave the containers in the room overnight or longer to eliminate the smell.

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