Question from natalia

Dear Debora,

We bought a new birch closet from Ikea 1 wk ago. I have windows open for a week but it still gives off a strong odor. The closet is in the nursery and I am concirned about the toxic effect of this odor. Also is there a way to eliminate the smell?

Debra’s Answer

It’s hard to answer your question without having more information. Like, is it solid birch, or birch veneer over plywood?

The way to eliminate outgassing in general is to apply heat. Remove it from the nursery and put it in a room that can be closed up with a space heater. Let it “bake” for a few days and a lot of the smell will be released.

It’s difficult to determine from your post if the odor is from the wood itself or if it is some manufactured wood that contains chemicals. Either way, heat will help.

Opening the windows is good for removing the odor from the room, but it won’t do anything to reduce whatever is outgassing from the wood.