Hello, got the sponge in mid-October for the second time ordered, because I have lost my old when moving. He will be shipped from China, and therefore is as low, I already knew that it takes a few weeks until it arrives. The chemical smell I can not confirm and the wiping performance is absolutely satisfactory in this, as with its predecessor. Would be nice if you could choose the color, but really important is that now either. Sponges hold perfectly on the whiteboard and have never slipped. There was probably a bad load of it, but the sponges, I have received are fully recommend value at an unbeatable price (1.64) If it's important to you to get the sponge immediately or uncomplicated to give him if not satisfied return, then looks at the list of other retailers for the products to 3, as there is a with FBA and a provider that from Germany sent.