How do I get that old smells out of wood?

Question

I have this old dresser that was kept in a closed house for a number of year. Now the dresser smells old. I don't want to removed the origial finish so how would I remove the smell. I have an aunt that said to sand what's not finished and then use Murphy's Oil soap. Is that a good Ideal?

Answer 1

Murphys Oil will probably work. Refinishing it would be the best, though.

Answer 2

Water and essential oils. I have a old "hope chest". It is over 100 yrs. old. I love it, but it smelled old, musty..whatever. I wash with the Murphy's oil soap, let it dry then spray with a mixture of 1 cup water and essential oils. Any smell you prefer!(I prefer Lavender) While the wood is still damp from cleaning, spray or wipe this mixture on and it will soak into the wood as it dries. This doesn't soak the wood and damage, it just absorbs enough to hold the smell. I have been doing this to my "hope chest" for about 10 years. It has not ruined the finish or discolored it in anyway.I do this about 2 times a year...it keeps it clean and re-freshens the smell! Your gonna love it!

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Murphy's oil soap is what I was going to suggest. I think that will work the best. You might want to talk to an employee at home depot and see if there is an easier option for you than sanding the dresser down.

Answer 4

I would first of all put it outside on a nice day (not in the sun) to let it air out for a day or two. If you decide to go with sanding, remember it will remove some of the finish, but then you could put on a nice slightly darker stain on it and, once dry, rub it with Murphy's oil. If not sanding, just clean it with Pledge (lemon scented), the smell will eventually disappear, but it will take a while.

Answer 5

The smell is more than likely coming from the drawers. Completely clean the drawers withm bleach and water. Leave the dresser out in the Sun for several hours.
Clean the outside with Lemon Pledge.

Answer 6

Try this natural furniture polish that smells great.

For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.

Also you could use scented drawer liners so your clothes smell nice.

Answer 7

I suppose that you are talking about the drawers ,just open them up wash them with Murphy's soap let them dry and keep the windows open for a while ,then get pot-pourri sachet , if you like Lavender not only it smells good but it's a moth repellent as well.

Answer 8

I bought an old wooden cabinet for a song because it had been in a house fire. It did not get burned, but it smelled really strongly of smoke. I used hot sudsy water to clean it and then left all the doors open with a fan blowing on it overnight. Then I closed the doors with a few boxes of arm and hammer baking soda and let it sit for about a week. It still has a light smoke smell INSIDE the doors, but overall, it is not bad. Try it.

Answer 9

Easy. Put it in a small but well-ventilated room such as a boxroom or spare room, light up about ten sticks of incense and leave them in there with the dresser. After the incense has burned out, the dresser should be very sweet-smelling. Since you may be keeping it in a room you use a lot, make sure the incense you use is one you love, such as rose or peach, for example!

Answer 10

I would not sand it, because it will effect the wood. You could use the Murphy's Oil soap, but if that does not do what you want it to then use Butcher's wax and a lot of elbow grease.

Answer 11

Ammonia works to get rid of musty smells, but if possible use it outside since it is so strong. You could sand it down and then use regular peroxide. This helps to sanitize wood. I do this with my wooden cutting boards and it helps get rid of strong onion smells. Whatever you do, DO NOT USE MOTHBALLS!!!. You will not be able to get rid of the smell in the clothes!