The First Three Days With a Compressed Cloud Couch

Day zero: the boxes

Every Ohllob piece travels in its own box. A 110 inch L is four boxes, a 140 inch U is six and the island is seven. Carriers can drop them on different days, so do not assume a missing box is lost until a couple of days have passed.

Open one box first and check that piece before you unpack the rest. If something is wrong, the unopened boxes are much easier to deal with.

Unboxing

Cut the outer carton carefully, never with a long blade pushed deep: the cover is right under the plastic. Lift the rolled piece onto the spot where it will live, then cut the plastic and let it open on its own.

• Short blade or scissors, cutting away from the fabric
• Two people for the bigger pieces, even though there is no frame
• Place the piece before it expands, while it is still light to move
• Keep children and pets clear while the plastic is off

Day one to three: the rise

The foam needs 48 to 72 hours to reach full height and shape. Patting and pressing the cushions helps a little. Try not to judge the comfort or the colour on the first evening, because creases and flat spots are normal at this stage.

A warm room helps foam recover. A cold garage slows it down.

The new-foam smell

Almost any new foam furnishing smells of something when it comes out of a sealed bag. The EPA lists furnishings among the everyday sources of volatile organic compounds in a home:

That second line is about homes in general, not about any one product. It is still a good reason to treat a new couch like fresh paint for its first few days.

Airing the room

The EPA's first practical step is simple, and it is the one we would give too:

Open windows, run a fan that pulls air outside, and let the pieces rise in a room you are not sleeping in if you can. Most people find the smell fades over the same days the foam is rising.

What is known, and what the rules say

The EPA page is plain about the limits of current knowledge and about federal rules for homes:

If a smell lingers after a week of airing, or if anyone in the home feels unwell, move the pieces out of living space and talk to your doctor. This article is general information, not medical or safety advice.