Inspect the Appearance: When purchasing medium-density fiberboard (MDF), check its surface thickness, the uniformity of density across the board, and for any damage, bulges, delamination, or looseness around the edges.
Smell the Odor: A simple method to test MDF for furniture is to smell it. Choose boards with a low pungent odor, as a strong smell indicates high formaldehyde content and other potential pollution.
Test It Yourself: If possible, take a small sample of MDF and soak it in water at 20 degrees Celsius. Check the thickness the next day for any changes or bulges. If these occur, the MDF does not have good waterproofing properties.
