How do I get rid of a musty smell in the drawers of a very old oak chest of drawers?

Answer 1

So many ways I'll just list them

Cedar balls in the corners

Cedar blocks along the back

Scented drawer lining paper

Sachet ( netted packet with scented pot pouri inside )

Wash the entire inside with Lysol and rinse with sponge

wash inside with vinegar water solution leave on

spray your favorite cologne on an odd sock and leave one in the back of each drawer.

stain the inside with fresh coat of oak wood stain. Then it will smell like fresh oak.

Cover the entire interior with contact paper.

Stick car fresheners in each drawer

I'm out of ideas, but you'll get the results you want with just about any one of these methods.

Answer 2

If you've checked, and you have no visible signs of mold and mildew then this solution really works. Get a bag of kitty litter and place a dish in each "offending" drawer. Close the drawer & the kitty litter should soak up the smells. You may need to do this for a couple of days (change the kitty litter) but once the smell is gone, you can line with scented liners and that should take care of the problems.

BTW, I saw scented liners at Target Greatland this weekend. They were in the perfume aisle.

Answer 3

The easiest and most effective solution is just get one or two of those activated carbon odor absorbers by Fridge IT and put them in your drawers. It is a little purple cube that is totally fragrance free and no chemicals so you don't have to worry about that. Works really, really well and so easy. You can find it in the kitchen gadget section of stores like walmart and linens and things and you can use these everywhere including fridge, drawers and even diaper pail. I love it and strongly recommend it.

Answer 4

there's probably some mildew or mold on the inside of the chest. Take the chest outside and wipe the ENTIRE interior out with mineral spirits. that's inside and outside of the drawers, and inside the piece of furniture itself. Let it air out for a while before taking it back inside.

Do this on a nice weather day.

Mineral spirits are flammable and volatile. Be sure there is no flame source when you'rs using it (no smoking).

If you use it inside, OPEN THE WINDOWS.

Open the rags you use and let the dry out completely before discarding.

Use caution in wiping any visible parts of the chest. the spirits could degrade an antique varnish or lacquer.

Answer 5

Old articles from "hints from Heloise" say after cleaning andy drying thoroughly, try putting newspaper in the chest for several days, and if that doesn't work it may be necessary to lightly sand the wood of the chest (sand in the direction of the grain of the wood).

Answer 6

Wipe out with a damp cloth soaked in bicarb of soda. Allow to dry out and then scatter some dried lavender sprays in them which you can leave there to keep the contents smelling nice.

Answer 7

Invest in some fragranced drawer liners, they come in a variety of scents. I have some vanilla ones and my drawers and clothes stay fresh.

Answer 8

Try lavender balls in the drawers, they should work a treat after a couple of days.

Answer 9

I had this problem as well... sprayed very lightly almost like a mist some Febreze ..then I lined it with Bounce dryer sheets & let it air out good..now use it for blankets smeels great..Good Luck

Answer 10

you put loose tea in a pantyhose in the smelly whatever and after 24 hour the smell is gone, works for smelly shoes and clothe as well.