Is Low-VOC, Formaldehyde-Free Sofa Fabric Better for Air Quality?

Is Low-VOC, Formaldehyde-Free Sofa Fabric Better for Air Quality?

Yes, choosing a sofa made with low-VOC, formaldehyde-free materials can help reduce the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air in your home. VOCs are chemicals that turn into gas at room temperature, and furnishings are one of their common indoor sources, along with paint, cleaning products and building materials. The most reliable way to check a low-VOC or formaldehyde-free claim is to look for an independent certification, like CertiPUR-US® for foam, rather than relying on a brand's own description. In this guide, we'll explain what low-VOC and formaldehyde-free mean, where VOCs in furniture come from, which certifications are worth checking and how long off-gassing usually lasts.

Key Takeaways

  • Low-VOC and formaldehyde-free mean the most when they're backed by an independent certification, because that's what sets a tested limit on specific chemicals.

  • VOCs in a sofa usually come from the foam, adhesives, fabric finishes and dyes, and sometimes flame retardants. 

  • CertiPUR-US® is a widely used certification for polyurethane foam. It tests for formaldehyde, heavy metals, certain flame retardants and low VOC emissions.

  • Several of our sofas and sofa beds use CertiPUR-US® certified foam, including our Koala Modern Sofa, Lounging Sofa, Koala Sofa Bed and Wanda Sofa Bed, and the certification includes testing for low VOC emissions. Foam details vary across our range, so we list what's inside each sofa on its product page.

  • New furniture gives off the most VOCs in its first few weeks, so opening the windows after delivery helps.

What "Low-VOC" & "Formaldehyde-Free" Mean

Low-VOC means a material gives off volatile organic compounds below a set limit. Formaldehyde-free means formaldehyde isn't added and testing doesn't find it above a set level. Both terms carry the most weight when they're linked to a named, independent certification such as CertiPUR-US®, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or GREENGUARD, because those programs test against published limits.

These are the key terms to know.

  • VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are carbon-based chemicals that turn into gas at room temperature. Some of them cause the "new furniture" smell.

  • Formaldehyde is a VOC that has been used in some adhesives, resins and fabric treatments. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classifies it as carcinogenic to humans.

  • Low-VOC refers to a tested emissions limit. For example, the CertiPUR-US® program requires certified foam to give off total VOCs below 0.5 parts per million.

  • Formaldehyde-free, as a certification claim, means formaldehyde isn't added and isn't detected above the certification's limit.

If a brand says "low-VOC" or "formaldehyde-free" without naming a certification, it's worth asking which standard they test against.

Where VOCs in Furniture Usually Come From

VOCs in sofas usually come from four places, which are the foam in the cushions, the adhesives that hold parts together, the finishes and dyes on the fabric, and, on some products, flame-retardant treatments. Each one is covered by a different kind of certification, so a sofa may list more than one.

  • Polyurethane foam can give off VOCs after it's made. CertiPUR-US® tests foam for low VOC emissions.

  • Adhesives are used in cushion assembly and frame joins. Solvent-based adhesives generally release more VOCs than water-based ones.

  • Fabric finishes, such as some stain-resistant or wrinkle-resistant coatings, have historically used formaldehyde-based resins.

  • Fabric dyes can give off small amounts of VOCs, mostly when the fabric is new.

  • Flame retardants such as PBDEs have been phased out in many places, and CertiPUR-US® screens certified foam for flame retardants classified as harmful to human health.

Not every sofa uses all of these, and choosing materials carefully at the start keeps them to a minimum.

How Sofa Fabric & Foam Affect Indoor Air Quality

A new sofa adds the most VOCs to indoor air while it's new, and this drops as the foam, adhesives and fabric settle into room conditions. YourHome, the Australian Government's guide to sustainable homes, explains that most off-gassing occurs when products are new or freshly installed, after which it lessens dramatically over time, and that off-gassing increases with higher temperatures. The Australian Centre for Disease Control also lists VOCs emitted from building materials and furnishings among the things that affect indoor air quality, and notes that indoor air can have much higher concentrations of some pollutants than outdoor air.

A few things affect how much you'll notice.

  • Ventilation makes the biggest difference. Opening windows for the first few days after delivery helps clear the air faster.

  • Room size matters too, as a small room holds VOCs more than a large, open space.

  • Certified foam, like CertiPUR-US® certified foam, starts from a lower emissions level.

  • Fabric finishes play a part, as lightly treated fabrics generally give off fewer VOCs than heavily coated ones.

  • Time helps, because emissions drop as the sofa settles in.

Many Australian homes are built for airflow, so opening doors and windows for a cross-breeze is an easy way to help a new sofa air out.

Certifications Worth Checking (CertiPUR-US® & Similar)

The three certifications we'd look for are CertiPUR-US® for foam, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 for fabric and GREENGUARD for whole products. Each one tests different materials against different limits, so it's worth checking which part of the sofa a certification covers.

CertiPUR-US®

CertiPUR-US® is a certification program for polyurethane foam used in furniture and mattresses. Certified foam is analysed by independent, accredited testing laboratories and must be made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, and phthalates regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. It is also screened for flame retardants and other chemicals classified as harmful to human health, and must give off total VOCs below 0.5 parts per million. We use CertiPUR-US® certified foam across several of our sofas and sofa beds. Our Koala Modern Sofa, Lounging Sofa and Koala Sofa Bed each have a CertiPUR-US® certified foam support layer, and our Wanda Sofa Bed is made with CertiPUR-US® certified polyurethane foam.

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100

OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a global textile certification that tests fabric for harmful substances, including formaldehyde, certain dyes, heavy metals and phthalates. If a sofa's cover fabric carries this certification, it tells you the fabric's formaldehyde levels have been tested.

GREENGUARD & GREENGUARD Gold

GREENGUARD, run by UL Solutions, certifies whole products for low chemical emissions. GREENGUARD Gold has stricter limits for places like schools and healthcare settings. It's less common on sofas than on office furniture, but it's a strong sign when you see it.

Certifications vary across our range, so we list the materials and any certifications for each sofa in the "Materials, sustainability & care" section of its product page.

Does New Furniture Off-Gas, and For How Long?

Yes, most new furniture off-gasses to some degree. It's strongest when the furniture is brand new and fades over the following weeks as the materials settle. Certified low-VOC materials lower how much is released, but they don't remove off-gassing completely.

A few simple steps help in the first few weeks.

  • Unbox in a well-aired room and keep it ventilated. YourHome recommends that when you add new furnishings, you keep rooms fully ventilated until the odour reduces considerably or disappears.

  • Choose certified foam, as CertiPUR-US® certified foam starts from a lower emissions level.

  • Think about fabric finishes, since lightly treated fabrics generally give off fewer VOCs than heavily coated ones.

  • Keep the air moving with a fan or a cross-breeze while the new smell fades.

Know What's Inside Your New Sofa

If air quality matters to you, it helps to know exactly what your sofa is made from. That's why we list the materials for each of our sofas on its product page. Our Koala Modern Sofa, Lounging Sofa, Koala Sofa Bed and Wanda Sofa Bed all use CertiPUR-US® certified foam, which is tested for low VOC emissions. Our Suffolk Sofa has an FSC® certified frame and covers made with at least 60% recycled fibres, which are washable and replaceable.

Every Koala sofa comes with our 120-day trial, so you can live with it at home before you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )

What does formaldehyde-free sofa fabric mean?

Formaldehyde-free sofa fabric means formaldehyde isn't added to the fabric's dyes, finishes or treatments, and independent testing doesn't find it above the certification's limit. The claim is only as strong as the certification behind it, and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is the main textile certification that tests fabric for formaldehyde. If a brand says "formaldehyde-free" without naming a certification, it's worth asking which standard they test against.

Does off-gassing from furniture go away over time?

Yes, off-gassing from new furniture fades over time. It's strongest when the furniture is brand new, so opening windows and keeping the air moving in the first few weeks helps clear it faster. Certified low-VOC materials, like CertiPUR-US® certified foam, lower how much is released.

Are low-VOC claims independently verified?

Low-VOC claims are only independently verified when they're tied to a named certification like CertiPUR-US®, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or GREENGUARD. A "low-VOC" or "low-emission" claim without a certification is the brand's own description. It's also worth checking which material the certification covers, as CertiPUR-US® covers foam, OEKO-TEX® covers fabric and GREENGUARD covers whole products.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs )

What does formaldehyde-free sofa fabric mean?

Formaldehyde-free sofa fabric means formaldehyde isn't added to the fabric's dyes, finishes or treatments, and independent testing doesn't find it above the certification's limit. The claim is only as strong as the certification behind it, and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is the main textile certification that tests fabric for formaldehyde. If a brand says "formaldehyde-free" without naming a certification, it's worth asking which standard they test against.

Does off-gassing from furniture go away over time?

Yes, off-gassing from new furniture fades over time. It's strongest when the furniture is brand new, so opening windows and keeping the air moving in the first few weeks helps clear it faster. Certified low-VOC materials, like CertiPUR-US® certified foam, lower how much is released.

Are low-VOC claims independently verified?

Low-VOC claims are only independently verified when they're tied to a named certification like CertiPUR-US®, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or GREENGUARD. A "low-VOC" or "low-emission" claim without a certification is the brand's own description. It's also worth checking which material the certification covers, as CertiPUR-US® covers foam, OEKO-TEX® covers fabric and GREENGUARD covers whole products.

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