How To Get Rid Of Cabinet Odors
by
Kasey
$10
1 Day
Easy
Do you smell that? That’s the musty odor of your kitchen cabinets. When storing dishes and produce in your cabinets, the last thing you want is for them to pick up unappetizing odors.
Before you start ripping out your cabinets and replacing them, here’s what to do to get rid of cabinet odors.
Before You Start
Remove all items from your cabinets including any paper or cabinet liners. You can now give them a thorough inspection. Use a flashlight to check if there is any rotting or wet wood within your cabinets. If there is water damage or rotting wood causing the odor, you may want to discard the cabinets. While all your dinnerware is out, you can clean them since they could have taken on the smells from your cabinet.
Be sure to also check for leaks behind and inside your cabinets. Moisture and mustiness can cause odors. If you notice wet wood from a leak, you need to call a professional plumber to fix it.
Air Out Your Cabinets
Sometimes all your cabinets need is some fresh air to remove moisture that causes musty odors. If you can remove your cabinets, take them outside to a sunny area to dry. Make sure you do not place your cabinets in humid conditions as the wood will absorb the moisture in the air. Once placed outside, the cabinets may take several days to dry completely.
If you can not remove your cabinets, you’ll need to try and air them out from within your home. The musty odors that are coming from your cabinets may mean that it is humid inside your home. You’ll need to run a dehumidifier or air conditioner to remove dampness. If you do not have a dehumidifier or air conditioner at your disposal, open your windows and doors and turn on a fan. The bad odors won’t disappear overnight, so keep your windows open or keep your dehumidifier on for a few days.
Give You Cabinets A Good Clean
If you have small spots inside or outside your cabinets, it may be mold or mildew. To get rid of this you can vacuum the spots away with an upholstery brush attachment. Wear a mask to avoid breathing in mildew particles and replace the vacuum filter once you are done.
Once all the mildew and mold is removed, you can then wash the entire inside and outside of each cabinet. Make a dish soap and warm water mix and wash your cabinets with a cloth or sponge. Always wring out most of the moisture of the cloth or sponge before washing your cabinets. You can then wipe down your cabinet surface with a cloth dipped in a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. This helps remove odors and soap residue. Once you’re done, keep your cabinet doors open and run a dehumidifier or fan to dry them completely.
Removing Odors That Linger
Sometimes after you give your cabinets a good wash, there might still be a lingering odor. If this is your case, place a bowl of vinegar inside of your cabinets overnight which will remove the scent. You can also use bowls of coffee beans or baking soda to absorb odors. You can leave these bowls in your cabinet for a few weeks to completely get rid of the smell.
By doing all of the above, you can get rid of your cabinet odors. If there is still an odor, it may be time to replace your cabinets. If it is time to replace your smelly cabinets you can head to CabinetNow.com for all your cabinetry needs.
Frequently asked questions
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