Why We Returned the Amazon Blackout Curtains
They offgassed for weeks. The nursery smelled like chemicals. We replaced them with IKEA curtains and never looked back.
The Moment
Week 36 of pregnancy. We're setting up the nursery. I hang the highly-rated Amazon blackout curtains - the ones with 15,000 five-star reviews.
Within an hour, the nursery reeks. Chemical smell. Plastic-y. Like a new shower curtain but worse.
I think, "It'll air out in a day or two."
A week later, it still smells. I'm 37 weeks pregnant and panicking. I'm about to put a newborn in a room that smells like a factory.
We take them down, return them, and drive to IKEA.
The Conflict
Amazon is convenient. Two-day shipping. Easy returns. Thousands of reviews. Why go anywhere else?
Because Amazon's third-party sellers aren't always trustworthy. Because "highly rated" doesn't mean "safe for a baby's room." Because cheap manufacturing often means toxic offgassing.
The blackout curtains we bought weren't uniquely bad. This is common. Polyester curtains, cheap foam-backed curtains, synthetic fabrics treated with flame retardants - they all offgas VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Some for days, some for weeks.
You don't want your newborn breathing that.
What offgassing means
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals released from products like curtains, furniture, and mattresses. High levels of VOC exposure can cause headaches, respiratory issues, and long-term health concerns. Babies are especially vulnerable because their systems are still developing.
The Learning
We replaced the Amazon curtains with IKEA Majgull blackout curtains. They're $20 per panel. They still offgassed a little, but way less - and the smell was gone after airing them out for 3 days.
Here's what I learned:
Not All Blackout Curtains Are Equal
Cheap foam-backed curtains offgas the worst. IKEA's curtains use a tighter weave instead of chemical coatings, so they're less toxic. They're also cheaper than most Amazon options.
Air Out Everything Before Baby Arrives
Curtains, crib mattress, changing pad, anything synthetic - let it air out for at least a week before baby uses the room. Open windows, run a fan, let the smell dissipate.
Buy Early for Nursery Items
Don't wait until the last minute. Give yourself time to return things that don't work. We hung the IKEA curtains at 37 weeks and aired them out for 2 weeks before Forest was born. Perfect timing.
IKEA Is Underrated for Baby Gear
Their baby stuff is simple, affordable, and meets strict EU safety standards (which are often stricter than US standards). Crib, curtains, changing pad, high chair - all great. Don't overlook it.
What we use now
IKEA Majgull blackout curtains in both kids' rooms. $20 per panel. Machine washable. Zero smell after airing out. They block 99% of light, which is critical for sleep. Buy them, hang them early, let them air out. Done.
The Updated Rule
Don't buy cheap synthetic nursery items on Amazon without checking reviews for offgassing. And even if reviews are good, air everything out before baby arrives.
Better approach:
- Buy blackout curtains from IKEA (Majgull or Bengta)
- Hang them at least 2 weeks before your due date
- Open windows and air out the nursery for several days
- If something smells like chemicals after a week, return it
- Prioritize low-VOC or natural materials for anything in baby's room (crib mattress, curtains, rugs)
What I'd tell past me
Skip Amazon for nursery textiles. Go to IKEA. Their curtains are cheaper, safer, and work just as well. And buy them early - at 32 weeks, not 38 weeks. Give yourself time to air them out and replace them if needed. You don't want to be dealing with this when you're 9 months pregnant and panicking.
Not a universal rule
Some Amazon curtains are fine. This is about being cautious with synthetic materials in a baby's room. If you already have curtains that don't smell, you're probably fine. This is about what to avoid, not what to panic about retroactively.