My new filing cabinet has a strong chemical smell — is that normal and how do I get rid of it?

Yes, a mild off-gassing smell from new painted steel filing cabinets is normal and common. The smell comes from the powder-coat finish curing and from any lubricants on the drawer slides. It's generally harmless and fades quickly with ventilation — leave the drawers open and the room aired out for a day or two. Placing a box of baking soda inside the cabinet for a few days accelerates odor absorption. Avoid using strong air fresheners inside a file cabinet, as the fragrance chemicals can transfer to documents. If the smell is very strong or lingers more than a week, contact the retailer. FindOfficeFurniture.com — call 888-719-4960 if you have concerns about a product.