Question from Gina
I hope you can help me. I bought a chair from Norwalk furniture for $1,200.00 2 years ago and it still smells. My plan is to reupholster it and use natural latex foam but once the toxic foam is removed do you think the wood frame will have obsorbed some of the toxic chemicals from the foam, fire retardent etc..the latex foam should cost about $200, hemp fabric $150 labor $300.??.I just don’t know if it’s even worth the trouble…
Debra’s Answer
Wood is somewhat porous so it can absorb contaminants, however, it can also release them.
I have stripped down old chairs and reupholstered them and they turned out very well.
I would sugggest that you remove the existing upholstery and foam first to determine that the frame itself is acceptable before you hand it over to the upholsterer. If there seem to be fumes, putting it out in the sun should take care of them.
