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Removing Musty Odors from Wood Furniture

March 31, 2010

musty smelling wood trunkMy wooden cupboard with dividers for trays and cookie sheets smells bad. It is a combination of rancid odor and mustiness. The odor has permeated the wooden serving trays.

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So far I have used soapy water and Lysol inside of the cabinet. We washed the wooden trays and set them out in the sunshine. We are considering rubbing them with fresh lemon juice to remove odor.
What would you suggest?

By John F. Meinel from Phoenix, AZ

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 147 Feedbacks
April 1, 20100 found this helpful
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Spray them with pine oil and water. Mix 1/4 cup in a spray bottle with water (Windex) or get one from Dollar store for a dollar. I use it all the time in kitchen, good luck.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 450 Feedbacks
April 3, 20100 found this helpful
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The lemon juice won't hurt but I suggest spraying a test spot with Easy Off oven cleaner. Wait a few minutes and if you see a cleaner spot when you wipe it off you will know that your wood has absorbed grease from your years of cooking.

 
April 3, 20100 found this helpful
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I would try white vinegar and water solution, perhaps mix in a few drops of dish soap. Give it a good cleaning. Then I would place white vinegar in a bowl or if the drawers are small a votive holder and leave it in overnight.

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(Close up the drawers when you do this.)

 
July 14, 20102 found this helpful
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You might want to try this. Go to your nearest pet store and buy a package of activated charcoal (used in aquariums). Place an opened package in your cupboard overnight or longer, with the doors closed. The charcoal should absorb the odors.

 
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June 22, 2004

I bought a cabinet, that is old, for my bathroom and there is a musty odor inside. I have tried baking soda and vinegar and it didn't work. Please help.



Robinson in NC

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By Terry R (Guest Post)
June 23, 20040 found this helpful
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I have had luck with charcoal briquets in the back corners of a musty shelf, DO NOT use the self lighting charcoal

 
By Anya - guest (Guest Post)
October 1, 20040 found this helpful
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I have a great old wooden hutch/cabinet that was musty. I tried baking soda in a pan, then a baking soda/water paste scrub, then ground coffee and nothing worked.

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THEN, AHA! I sprayed the entire inside surface with cedar oil and no more musty smell! The cedar smell faded but the musty odor did NOT come back.

 
By Carol (Guest Post)
April 17, 20060 found this helpful
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I found that if you put a container of Damp-Rid in your cabinet and empty often, then refill as needed with the granules, it will take out the musty smell. Try putting a clean cloth with vanilla (real extract) and it should also help. Also there is a carpet/freshener that is a powder vanilla scent that works great on carpet, could sprinkle that inside, it is made by Glade Carpet & Room deodorizer.

 
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August 3, 2011

I am going to a little place in the country (nothing fancy, so no point in talking to the management) for a much-needed, once-a-year holiday at the end of this week. The only bedroom furniture is a very old, wooden (maybe pine, not sure) dresser. The drawers are always terribly musty-smelling; it's suffocating!

I always end up having to leave them ajar, trying to air them out (it doesn't work!), and I hate putting my clothes in there. Please help! Does anyone know how to definitely get those drawers un-mustified so I can actually use them, this year? Thanks very much in advance.

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By Anna

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Anonymous
August 3, 20110 found this helpful

Why bother with the odor that you will not be able to eliminate in a short visit? Put some dryer sheets in the drawers and forget about using them, and at the very least, you won't have to smell the musty odor. Bring along some cord, rope, or even better, bungee cords and "S"-hooks to create a make-shift closet where you can hang your clothing. Not great for entertaining guests but hopefully you'll not have to do that while on retreat.
Have a nice trip!

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 846 Posts
August 4, 20110 found this helpful

I am with Pinksa and any clothing you don't need to hang up just keep them in your luggage. Why not just make life simple and enjoy your holiday instead of worrying about things that, in the whole scheme of things, really don't matter.

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Am not trying to be mean but perhaps next year you should find a different place to stay where the drawer odors will not bother you.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 172 Posts
August 4, 20110 found this helpful

Charcoal helps with this but I think it takes a while to work.

 
August 4, 20111 found this helpful

Bring along some of those products used for cancer patients to remove odors and spray drawers so room smells OK, but keep your clothes in your suitcase, just ask for a suitcase stand or set up on top of dresser. If I'm on retreat the look of the room is not the most important thing on my list.

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just "vegging" out. Oh yes, be sure to open the windows wide to air out the room, too. Fresh air does wonders for the soul, too.

 
August 4, 20110 found this helpful

What if, weather permiting, you set the drawers outside to air out for the night when you first get there, then sprinkle them with your favorite powder, or use a dryer sheet like Pinska suggested.

 
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January 27, 2020

I am not 100% sure, but I think the cabinet is made from cedar. I need to get rid of the smell, but don't want to damage the wood.

It was made by my late father-in-law, but I can't use it for much because the smell is too much.

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
January 27, 20200 found this helpful
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In a lot of cases you can mix 1/2 vinegar with 1/2 water and start to wash the wood in the cabinet. When it is still a bit wet sprinkle some baking soda on this and rub it in really good. Allow this to sit to absorb the order in the cabinet. You can wipe out the remains of the baking soda with a clean cloth.

 

Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts
January 27, 20200 found this helpful
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First give it a good cleaning with mild soap and water. Wipe down with vinegar or sit a bowl of vinegar in each section for 1 to 2 days to absorb smell!

 
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January 27, 2015

I have an antique mahogany table and an antique chest; I am not sure what type of wood it is. These items were stored for several years in an area that became damp and moldy. The table has what looks like mold spots trying to bleed through. The chest has a bad odor, but I don't notice any mold spots. These are over 100 years old and I can't just dispose of them. Can you give me some ideas? Thanking you in advance.

By Patsy B

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August 6, 2013

I have a china cabinet that smells like something died in it. What can I use to get the odor out of the wood, without damaging the wood?

By Trish

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January 11, 2015

I have a table leaf that got wet on one end. I didn't notice until it was bad. Any help?

By Dawn J

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December 12, 2016

This is a page about cleaning a musty antique dresser. Although antique furniture can be beautiful, it can also be tricky to clean and deodorize.

An antique dresser with many drawers.

October 19, 2014

How do I get rid of a musty ordor in wood hatch?

By randolphohara

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September 16, 2014

How do I remove a very strong musty odor from a wooden hutch?

By CA

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April 22, 2014

My daughter kept some African masks in her basement and they now smell of mildew badly. How can we get rid of the mildew odor and ever use them in our home once again?

By goflos

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