With Expert: Pure Contemporary Editors

Q. I bought the Chameleon Slideshow sofa about a month ago and the cushions/pillows are omitting a bad odor, which gives me a sore throat and headache. Will the smell go away with time?

A. We spoke with a retailer (not the one from whom you purchased this sectional) who said that there are a number of reasons you may sense a scent from your new sofa. It could be from the dyes, the sizing in the fabric, the glue in the frame, and/or the petroleum in the cushions.

A brand new sofa comes right out of production and gets wrapped in a plastic bag -- trapping any residual odors. Her suggestion was to let it breathe for a week or so -- take the cushions off if need be to let air get in and around your piece.

If you still find the scent to be too strong or obnoxious, here is the number for the parent company, Jaymar: 450-471-4172.