I have a dresser that smells of mildew. How do I get rid of this smell

Jenni fischer
by Jenni fischer
  6 answers
  • Shawn-Marie Shawn-Marie on Jul 13, 2018

    Empty the dresser. Take the drawers out. Vacuum everywhere, inside and outside the dresser. Do the same with the drawers. Put the drawers back in, sprinkle liberally with baking soda and close the drawers. Let sit a couple of days. Vacuum out the drawers. Spray liberally in each drawer with Lysol ( use the name brand and preferably the original scent.) Let it dry.


    This should get rid of any lingering scent. I keep those little packets of beads that come in packages that are meant to absorb moisture in my dressers when I can b/c it is so humid where I live. I also place a dryer sheet (or 2 used ones) in each drawer (or you can use a sachet) to keep them smelling nice.

  • Kathy Good Kathy Good on Jul 13, 2018

    Spray with diluted clorox, then wipe out. Next, set a bowl full of coffee grounds in it for several days. Set one in each drawer. That should work.

  • Betty J Patterson Betty J Patterson on Jul 13, 2018

    Put some charco in it

  • OceeB OceeB on Jul 13, 2018

    HI Jenni,

    I have actively dealt with the old musty smell of a chest my daughter purchased. Sadly it had been upcycled and the upcycler painted the smells in on outside. I had some success in reducing the smells but not totally eliminating. I think I need to take entire piece apart and try the methods in video included below. Another thought is that I could strip any paint or sealer off and start from scratch..


    There are a number of methods to help remove odors:

    - I sprayed bleach water on the insides of the piece and scrubbed and then sat in hot sun

    - Let set in sun daily for several days.. the hotter the better to air out and bake those smells out.

    - Then treat with an odor eliminator (a bio-enzymatic (can use the ones from pet store) that attacks the enzymes causing smell) or here is one advertised for hardwoods http://shop.bestwoodfloor.com/product.aspx?id=248

    - This all helped but still did not completely eliminate. I watched a video where the restorer took drawers apart and dresser back off and could see residue there that he then cleaned the same way. After doing the above steps to areas previously not reached; he shellacked all and did not have odors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VlavI7XP10

    - Another post said - '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. 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.' I have not tried this

    - I have added one of those damp/rid moisture removers - this may dry the piece out so guess try it for a week or two and see what you think. https://www.dollartree.com/The-Home-Store-Moisture-Eliminators-9-8-oz-/p326485/index.pro

    - Add bowls of baking soda to each drawer to absorb odors

    - Add a sachet packet to each drawer ( if all the above did not work.. add a sachet packet to each drawer)


    -Here is another helpful link:

    https://salvagedinspirations.com/how-to-remove-musty-mothy-moldy-smells-from-wood-furniture/

  • Jenni fischer Jenni fischer on Jul 15, 2018

    Thank you so much! I will definitely give these a try!