Now that it has been about three months since we purchased our couch, it is time to let you all know what it is really like to own an Anabei. At the start of our search for the “perfect” sofa we had one main requirement that was making it seem almost impossible to attain, seventy inches and under width wise. Ideally washable so that we do not have to fear using the couch. Life happens no matter if you eat snacks on it or not. Plus having a lil pup we wanted him to enjoy it too, he loves a cushy ottoman.
Anabei met all our needs and even exceeded them since it will adapt to our place. Usually it is frustrating to go couch shopping especially for a chaise since you need to pick a side for it to attach. Eventually we will move out of our current place so its either purchase a new sectional or try to use what we’ve got. However, with the modules we can simply purchase additional ones to grow with us as our needs do.
The assembly definitely caught me off guard since I anticipated large pieces that would simply be screwed together. Instead, I saw that the assembly is bars and cables that are put together over the basic camping furniture structures. At first it presents an overall cheapening to the product but on the flip side if you move a lot it could be a blessing to save on moving space. It does not feel or look like camping furniture in the slightest once it is built so, it is rather just a first impression ick of mine.
Perhaps the biggest issue with this brand is the transparency of where the couch is actually manufactured. On their site it appears to be USA made but if you read the fine print it vaguely states that some parts are from overseas. Not very much detail on either area though. Once the couch was built it started giving off a heavy chemical smell which you do not get from “luxury” brands like Pottery Barn. At this price point I expected it to not come with a chemical stink bomb. The smell lasted over two weeks but I did find out that covering the cushions in baking soda for about 4-5 hours and purchasing charcoal bags helped completely eliminate the smell.
Customer service was was a bit annoying as they wouldn’t answer any questions until given an order number. I was not asking to take back the couch at this point, so it was rather frustrating to have to wait yet another day to get any relevant information. Below is the exchange in emails, I did mark out any personal information though. I’m in blue text and Anabei is in green text.
| Jan 09, 2025, 11:06 PM I asked via Youtube and was prompted to send an email to receive an answer. Recently, we received and put together a sectional and it smells so strongly of chemicals. For how much this couch cost I never anticipated it would smell so bad. It has been almost a week and it hasn’t gotten any better. My husband claims it is causing him headaches and we’ve tried so many things to minimize the smell. Do you have any solutions to aid this issue? |
| Jan 12, 2025, 3:06 AM Thanks for reaching out! It seems that we couldn’t find any orders associated with the email address . Could you please provide your order number, full name, and the email address you used for your last purchase? Once I have that information, I’ll be able to locate the order and assist you further. I look forward to hearing from you. Kindly, Jena |
| Jan 13, 2025, 2:27 PM The item was a Christmas gift from _______, order #________. The couch is the Modular Washable 2 Seater + Ottoman in Ash, the deluxe cloud. Please let me know how I can get rid of this chemical smell. Thank you for your time. |
| Jan 15, 2025, 10:05 AM Hello, Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns about the sectional. We’re sorry to hear about the strong chemical smell and the inconvenience it’s caused. Let us help address this issue. For immediate relief, we recommend spot cleaning the fabric using an upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or a mild cleaning solvent. Always blot spills immediately and clean spots from the outside toward the middle to avoid creating circles. After cleaning, ensure the fabric is hung to dry completely. If you’d prefer to machine wash the covers, use cold water and a mild detergent on a gentle cycle. Hang them to dry rather than using a dryer. However, please note that frequent machine washing can add wear to the fabric over time, so spot cleaning is ideal whenever possible. To further minimize the smell, vacuuming the sectional regularly to remove dust and grime can help. Additionally, airing out the sectional in a well-ventilated area or placing bowls of baking soda nearby can aid in absorbing odors. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we hope these steps help improve your experience with the sectional. Let us know if we can assist further! Best, Jena |
| Jan 15, 2025, 11:25 AM Hello Jena, It is confusing and off putting as to why you responded with a generic response on how to clean the sofa. This chemical smell is from the cushions not the covers. Also the smell is not from a spill or dust as I haven’t had the couch long enough to do either. Your products come from Rancho Cordova in California so why does it smell like this? I even purchased activated charcoal bags to minimize it and it is still super strong, is this normal? Best, |
| Jan 16, 2025, 9:24 PM Hi, Thank you for getting back to us! I am sorry for the confusion. The odor you’re noticing in the back cushions could be attributed to the memory foam, which is a newer feature in our current couch models. Unlike the original version that used high-resilience foam for the back cushions, the updated design incorporates memory foam for enhanced support and comfort. The seat cushions also use memory foam, which might contribute to the scent you’re experiencing. To address the odor naturally, we recommend the following steps: Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the cushions. Let it sit for a few hours to absorb the smell. Vacuum it off thoroughly. Baking soda is effective at neutralizing odors and is safe for the fabric, leaving no residue. Additionally, airing out the cushions in a well-ventilated area can also help dissipate the smell more quickly. If the issue persists or you have further concerns, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to assist! |
Now let’s talk about the highlights. The free form of the cushions is a major plus. I hate when back cushions are velcro, they pick up every little hair. Sewn ones are even worse because they cannot be flipped off to be cleaned well. Anabei promotes a 100% washable product that includes not only the pillow covers but also the frame cover. Another thing I love but don’t see on the market very often is thin sides. Rounded sofa arms are annoying, they eat up valuable space especially when you are living with limited real-estate already. We decided to only anchor the two pieces together with the straps and leave the ottoman free. I have not noticed any issues with the parts feeling as if they are moving in any way either. I love the ability to move the ottoman as we see fit, adding flexibility to the space as well.
Watch the video below for an in-depth look at my Anabei review.
*I do get a small commission from Amazon if you decide to purchase one of the items using the links above.
MaddieAutumn 