How do i get the musty smell out of a steamer trunk

Hi there, an opened box of baking soda put inside and leaving the trunk open to "air out" should help a lot!

You will probably need to remove the old paper from inside of it. They used to use a paste that insects and bacteria are attracted to - hence, the smell. Here's a link that tells you more about it:

https://antiquetrunksandchests.com/remove-odors-smells-old-steamer-trunks/

Sunshine and fresh air help. Also crumpled newspaper helps absorb the smell when left for a few days. Use a spray that kills mold in case there is any. Try adding a large bowl of charcoal based kitty litter inside. If any odor remains try wiping with vinegar.

Wipe down with OdoBan and put a DampRid bag in it. Activated charcoal on newspaper will work also but not as quickly.

If there is any paper liner, remove it, that might be the source of the musty smell. Fresh air on a breezy day and sunshine do wonders for as long as you can air it out with winter approaching, you might want to consider taking it in at night and let it set with a box of opened baking soda and repeat as often as you can with the weather cooperating. A large box of baking soda will absorb odors, so will activated charcoal.

Odor-ban is the bomb!. You can get it at Walmart, Home Depot, Costco and Sams. It works wonders on getting out musty smells and also works good as a general house cleaner. Just wipe down the trunk and leave it in the sun to dry.

Here's a post that might help - https://antiquetrunksandchests.com/remove-odors-smells-old-steamer-trunks/

I use baking soda in a dish for a few days to absorb the smell

There is good information here:

https://www.brettunsvillage.com/trunks/howto/odors/

I'd spray with white vinegar

As others suggested in the responses to your question about recovering the inside of the trunk, above, the existing paper will most likely have to be removed to completely eliminate the musty smell.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/furniture/great-grandma-s-steamer-trunk-30960839

How to Eliminate Odors in Wood

Your best hope for sealing in any odors is shellac. It makes an excellent barrier coat over all wood species, and it sticks to almost anything. Zinsser makes a great product for this purpose, called Bullseye SealCoat. It’s a clear dewaxed shellac that you can apply to those drawer interiors easily with a brush. It dries quickly and should help to diminish mice, mildew, musty, smoke, urine smell. And since it doesn’t contain wax, you can apply other finishes like lacquer or varnish over it — they’ll stick just fine. SealCoat is also handy to have around the shop as a general purpose wood finish and sanding sealer. So, I’m sure you’ll find other uses for what’s left of the quart you buy.

Hello. I have had great success airing out vintage luggage in the summertime and using a Lysol spray. I do realize Lysol spray might be difficult to find at this time but it did good job on vintage funky odors.

Hello again,

Spray the inside with Febreze. Let it dry. Spray the outside also if you are not able to wash it down with a Floral Disinfectant such as Zoflora - (UK). Best wishes

ODOBAN!! definitely. You can also spray vinegar but it won't smell as nice. ODOBAN got rid of a previous owners smoke smell after we bought a used car. I used it to redo a stinky dresser as well. Spray, sit out in the sun. refinish what you can.

We use a dry-air container in our small safe to keep must smell down. The package contains desiccant crystals that absorbs moisture and water collects in the bottom. Pour the water out periodically. That might help you trunk.

Hi TAYLor, hope this helps you out

https://www.columbiatribune.com/article/20141113/Lifestyle/311139930#:~:text=Spray%20them%20with%20water%20and,until%20the%20smell%20has%20lessened.