A few years ago, there was a talk show hosted by Bonnie Hunt. She talked about this very same issue.I can't remember the specifics, but I think the sofa had been treated with formaldahyde? Since she was in California, she aired it outside, but I believe eventually returned it. I would can the store, manufacturer and get it out of my house.

Late in her life, my mother developed a horrible allergy to the stain protection they sometimes put on upholstered furniture .

She could not sit in a chair that had been treated without breaking out in a rash.

What material is your couch? (Fabric? leather? are there wood components?) Where was it manufactured? (China?)

I get lots of allergies. When my new sectional arrived and I quickly developed a sore throat and sniffles, it made me worry a lot about wasting all that money. As it turns out, my reaction only lasted a few days. I am guessing the pieces needed to off-gas some chemical or maybe even the strong leather smell. I had similar experiences with my dining wood table (all wood, but recently stained and coated.) Once the off-gassing of the stains was over, it stopped bothering me.

As much as possible, get fresh air in that room. If you can put the couch in the sun safely or a hot garage, even better... I wouldn't jump the gun and attempt to return it.

It is a fabric couch. I think flexsteel fabric is made in USA.

It also has an issue on the front of one of the arms fabric not being attached properly. You can slip your hand behind the fabric & see the tacks & feel. You can also see the tacks on the loveseat if you move the cushion.

I am not a happy customer.

Plus I choose feet on this couch, our last couch was the same couch just without feet, it was skirted. And I am not liking the feet.

I have no idea what to do!

Zoey, if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy~~sorry. couldn't help myself. But seriously, take it up with the furniture store. If the problem can't be resolved, and you've put it on a credit card(AE will stand behind you 100%)they might come to your rescue. It's worth the try. ;o)

I just purchased a love seat and sofa made of microfiber. The smell is causing me severe respiratory problems and sinus as well. I don't know what to do?

same thing just happened here. Awful sore throat, breathing problems,Darn. Did you get rid of your couch?

I see this post is from 2018. I am having the same problem with a Flexsteel sofa. The 3 pieces of hte sofa never came together correctly. Very poor craftsmanship and now I have developed an allergy to the fabric or the fabric protector. I am curious how the problem was resolved for the person who started this thread back in 2012. My reaction is dermatitis. Severe itching on my back, neck and arms. Any suggestions?

I have been doctoring with a rash for months. We bought a new flex steel couch & love seat In august. It is the latitude series with imitation leather fabric. I started experiencing skin rash problems in September. has any one else had this issue? Doctors have no answers yet.

I see Edna your havnight issues. I have a rash on my back & chest & shoulders. Sounds like the same couch you have.

I bought a sectional with a type of polyester fabric. When the sun shines on it you see shiny strands that resemble fiberglass. Every time I sit on on the couch I feel those strands on my skin and through my clothes. I have severe itching when my skin comes in contact with the material. I have had the couch for a few months and avoid it. Suggestions???

Me too.

I bought a new sofa upholstered in polyester fabric. There was a very small defect in the manufacture. They sent an inspector to look at it. I asked if he could repair it. He said no.

The company said I could keep the furniture at 50% off (because of the very small defect) or return it for a full refund.

i wish I could have kept it, but by that point (about 2 weeks) the new furniture smell and feel left me itching and coughing. Very beautiful, but obviously I was allergic to it. I had a skin and respiratory reaction to it.

I returned it.

My allergy problem went away within the next few days.

I suggest you reach out to the people from whom you purchased this and see if they can take it back and give you a refund. Or maybe replace it with a piece covered in cotton. Good suggestion to talk to your credit card company as well if that was your method of payment.

I had never given it much thought before, but all my previous sofas were covered in 100%cotton upholstery. So now I am shopping for cotton only upholstered sofa.

I would definitely get rid of the furniture.

Start over with cotton only upholstery - or another 100% natural material, maybe linen, flannel or wool. Make sure the fabric is not chemically treated with a fabric protector.

It may be difficult to find and a little pricey, but you’ll be able to sit on it and enjoy it.

If you cannot return it, see if you can sell it to a neighbor or on line.

I have problems with the materials and foams in furniture, carpets, and in cars. I kept a stained carpet for 15yrs afraid to change it. My couch is from the 30s or 40s and nothing left of it and still worry about buying a new one and reacting. People are very rude and laugh about this I am so relieved hearing others have problems as well. Does anyone have ideas on here about low voc materials? Sorry I couldn't help with question but I do believe you and your son are truly reacting to it.

I got new leather furniture im so sick and

Got leather furniture from northeast factory direct Euclid ohio name bran catnapper they won't take furniture back i wish....amish make good furiture

I just bought a sofa from ashley furniture, i got it detailed for $40. and the few after i started feeling itchy all over my body, then i bought bissell cleaner, i just cleaned it yesterday, its not 100% gone but i feel a little better, i will try to clean it 2-3 more times, if it doesnt work, then i will try to get a cloth sofa as mentioned in this blog.

I brought a very expensive couch. It had feathers in it. We had no ideal but my daughter had a anaphylactic reaction and had to go to the ER. The feathers are not listed sales label. I hope we can get an exchange or at least our money back. Wish us luck

We just purchased two Flexsteel latitude recliners. We are getting a itchy rash on our arms. The itch feels like fiberglass like mentioned above. Was there anything any of you could do?

I purchased a “ healthy sofa from sixpenny and got the vegan poly fill there is foam in some of the cushion came in boxes and smelled like paint. It’s been over a month smell is faint but it’s in the foam . Sending it back . I’ve been sick the whole time . Headaches etc. Geeze! They are good company but who knows what happened on the journey .

Did the couch get better or did you have to get rid of it?

I bought 2 recliners and almost immediately my dogs and I started itching. I returned the fabric recliners for the "fake leather" made by Flexsteel. This is even worse! Recliners are falling apart and a white very itchy powder was coming out of the cushions and seams. Retailer won't take it back. I had to move it out of my house. Now my whole house is infested with this white powder I can't get rid of. Any ideas what it could be?

I had to get rid of my couch- toxic, cancer causing materials are dangerous to breathe