Musty smell /an wood

Pam Kemp
by Pam Kemp
I have a old dresser that a friend had at there cabin. I can not get the musty smell out of the inside drawers. Any ideas I even painted with kilz.. the whole inside must have the oder. Any ideas??
  12 answers
  • Thomas T Thomas T on Jul 07, 2013
    I would remove the drawers and "paint" the inside with a solution of water/bleach (4 parts/1part) then follow (in 24 hrs.) with linseed oil.
  • Pam Kemp Pam Kemp on Jul 07, 2013
    thanks Tom but they have paint in the drawers.. she said it is the kilz paint primer stuff. so would it work?
  • Pam Kemp Pam Kemp on Jul 07, 2013
    I had it out side in a enclosed area all winter an it still smells ...
  • Kitchen Kelli Kitchen Kelli on Jul 08, 2013
    Kilz works like gangbuster! Use it - or you could always throw some charcoal briquettes in there for a while.
  • Pam Kemp Pam Kemp on Jul 08, 2013
    hmmm maybe it is just been in the dresser so long cuz I cant breath when I smell it. Ill try everyone suggestion ...thanks
  • Charlotte Charlotte on Jul 09, 2013
    Try using a vinegar solution of 20% to 80% water. Give it 24hrs and don't rinse. Make sure it get into all cracks and crevices. The problem with the Kilz is it cannot cover in the cracks. The solution should be able to seep in.
  • Connie Connie on Jul 10, 2013
    Also when you painted did you paint the whole drawer and dresser or just the insides of the dresser drawers. I would use the vinegar solution or bleach solution to really clean it, let air dry, then put some cedar blocks in when reassembled or baking soda containers. I did the same to an old dresser at our cottage, took a while to get the smell gone but the baking soda really helps. that is after the thorough cleaning
  • Connie Connie on Jul 10, 2013
    oh yea charcoal works great as well. See another poster mentioned this just make sure it does not tough any clothes as it will leave stains.
  • Junk Gypsee Junk Gypsee on Jul 10, 2013
    I agree with Thomas. The bleach will not hurt the paint. It just penetrates into the mold spores hiding in the wood and the linseed oil with seal it. You should be able to use a sealer and paint or consider using chalk paint too..because it's so easy to deal with.
  • Pam Kemp Pam Kemp on Jul 11, 2013
    CONNIE I JUST PAINTED THE INSIDE OF THE DRAWERS. SO ILL TRY THE BLEACH AGAIN. IF I PAINT ILL HAVE TO DO THE INSDE OF THE DRESSER ALSO. I WAS THINKING OF JUST PAINTING THE HOLE THING.......IT ISNT 100% PERFECT ANYWAY. THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL UR HELP!
  • M'sMammy M'sMammy on Jul 25, 2015
    The old Tupperware trick was to wet newspaper, seal it in the container and put in the freezer.Under my sink I wet some slightly, wrapped in another sheet and put in the cabinet and shut the door. Did the trick in spite of the inside wood not being entirely dry yet.
  • Rose Rose on Aug 23, 2015
    Put charcoal brickets and crumbled up newspaper leave for a few days also a small bowl of ammonia also works.