How would you clean/remove/paint this cloth on a steamer trunk?

Julie Moyna
by Julie Moyna
Bought yet another trunk today and need to get it cleaned up. Does anyone know how to clean or paint cloth that is on it? I will post a pic from my phone in just a minute...HELP!!!
  16 answers
  • Debbie Harris Debbie Harris on Nov 12, 2013
    Don't know what you want your end result to be but Chalk paint can be used on almost any surface. Pick a color and go for it. I hope you got this piece on the cheap.. Good luck.
  • Cindi Janes Cindi Janes on Nov 13, 2013
    i agree, or maybe a dark spray with many many coats
  • April April on Nov 13, 2013
    Hmm, it depends on what you're looking for style wise. I like how colorful it is. Perhaps leave the painted areas but paint the not so colorful areas? However, it's up to you and what you see for it. :)
  • Shizzle Design Shizzle Design on Nov 14, 2013
    a color wash would be totally cool on it using chalk/clay/mineral paints I did that on a trunk recently. Let me see if I can find a picture.
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Nov 14, 2013
    I would use soygel(easy on the wood and eveything) and get that paint off. Then maybe restain those areas if paint doesn't leave a pernamanet color.My grandmother painted hers bright orange. She took it from Texas to New Mexico back to Texas in a covered wagon. So I've left it alone. It is so ugly but she liked it.So I've often thought of stripping it myself.Good luck
    • Julie Moyna Julie Moyna on Nov 17, 2013
      @Wanda.ll My ASCP stockist told me...warm water and don't let penetrate after wiping. Wipe on...Wipe off :) Now for the waxing...aghhhhhh
  • Karon Nelson Roberts Karon Nelson Roberts on Nov 14, 2013
    Get one of those clothing Steam cleaners. Ya, it helps get wrinkles out, but it also helps clean items that needs dry cleaning or can't be remove. I use one on my microfiber couch.
  • Julie Moyna Julie Moyna on Nov 14, 2013
    took all afternoon but should be done today!
    • April April on Nov 15, 2013
      @Julie Moyna - Wow! That's quite a transformation! Thanks for keeping us updated! :)
  • Wanda Reavis Wanda Reavis on Nov 14, 2013
    Julie-White vinegar will remove paper.Just spray it on , let set a few mins. using a putty knife works great to just peel the paper off.
    • Julie Moyna Julie Moyna on Nov 22, 2013
      @Wanda Reavis Thank you Wanda! I am thinking of printing old newspaper clippings and tea staining then modgepodge into the inside. It's all cloth on the drawers....with some mold.
  • Jcw Jcw on Nov 14, 2013
    Julie, what method did you end up using to clean up? I have trunks to do something with too.
    • Julie Moyna Julie Moyna on Nov 16, 2013
      @Jcw I was told be my ASCP stockist to just wash with warm water and don't let it penetrate. I used old shop towels that have no lint. :)
  • Jcw Jcw on Nov 14, 2013
    may come back to this site
  • Sherry Stives Fry Sherry Stives Fry on Nov 30, 2013
    I bought an old steamer truck 39 years ago. It too had a cloth on it. At first I painted over it but after a few years I tired of that. I cut along the wooden strips and peeled off the old rotted fabric. Then I lightly sanded, stained and varnished the wood. It's beautiful. I have drug this thing around the country with me since I was 19 yrs old. I STILL have it and love storing blankets and extra comforters in it. And, to get rid of the "OLD" smell inside, put some coffee grounds into a knee high stocking, tie a knot in it, put it inside the trunk and leave there for several weeks. It will get rid of the smell.
    • See 5 previous
    • Julie Moyna Julie Moyna on Mar 02, 2015
      That's a great idea. I have a foot locker now that I need to do. It's wood so I think I'm going to spray killz after cleaning. Unless you or anyone know how to clean painted wood that STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN! Lol
  • Denise M Denise M on Jan 07, 2014
    If it's mold, perhaps some type of sealer applied will contain it.
  • Debbi Reeves Debbi Reeves on Jan 07, 2014
    Don't have an answer to your question but I'm on your side - can't pass up a trunk - whether i need it or not - can't have too many!!!
  • TJ TJ on Jan 07, 2014
    activated charcoal works also. a friend bought a house many years ago with an old fridge or freezer under the basement stairs with old rotted fish inside with door closed. it eventually got rid of the smell.
  • Katie Katie on Jan 07, 2014
    Lemon-scented Lysol cleaner my also help with the hold/mildew issues. I wouldn't remove the fabric unless it was completely destroyed.
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 23, 2022

    For the mold use plain white vinegar, it will kill the spores, spray it on being careful to not saturate the area. Fresh air and sunlight also help.