Wash them down with white vinegar and water. Insert open boxes of baking soda,deactivated charchol,or kitty liter.If there is still an odor you will probably have to seal them with shellac.
There are all sort of labor-intensive methods, but the easiest is to simply give the insides of the drawers and the case itself, a coat of clear sealer (or paint). Don't forget the bottoms of the drawers too. Just coat all the raw wood surfaces. This will take care of the old and musty odor. :)
I was housekeeper for a historic residence for many years, and encountered this problem a lot. In my situation, any permanent alteration of the case goods was out of the question, so no sealing, or other non reversible methods were available. These steps generally worked.
First and best line of defense is lots of fresh air and sunshine. On a bright, dry day, remove the drawers and leave them outside for an hour or so (check after a while to make sure the sun is not damaging any fragile finishes, and if the piece is especially old or delicate, just air them inside. ) If there has been no harm done, leave them to air as long as possible.
After airing for a while, fill the drawers with crumpled news paper or news print, which often does a great job absorbing odors, and put them back inside the case. You might want to repeat these steps a few times, and they might be enough to cure the problem. If not, try lining the drawers with tissue or newsprint, and sprinkling lots of baking soda on the tissue... close the drawers and let sit over night or longer.
If there is mildew or mold inside the drawers or the case, make a weak bleach solution and sponge the inside (test a small hidden area first to make sure it's safe) then repeat the airing process.
Finally, wipe the insides of the drawers with a cloth and a little lemon oil, then repeat the airing process. This usually works, but make sure you let the lemon oil sit until the surface is no longer oily, buff well, and then line the drawers before putting anything in them. Some prefer cedar oil, but for me, the smell of cedar oil is also "antiquey" . Be aware that sometimes, the smell is from the back, or underside of a dresser or chest... make sure to examine the entire piece looking for mold, mildew, or even lots of dust, which can cause the smell to permeate the piece.
Once you've banished the smell, frequent airing ( a good idea for all furniture) should keep the problem at bay. Speaking of bay, adding bay leaves or lavender on top of any paper lining should also help with freshening.
Thank you so much for your expert advice. I am copying and saving it in case I can't resist an antique piece in the future. I will share this with my son who is restoring an 1850s Victorian farmhouse and has a lot of old furniture.
I did the same and also used the scented wax air freshener and put them in drawers with the tops opened. It took several months but the smells went away.
Yes it is. I don't plant directly in the ground as it will take over. Instead I sunk a pot in the dirt. In colonial days it was planted next to the kitchen door to keep flies away from the door
When you get new furniture never never never wipe the drawers out with a damp cloth!!! That will cause that smell you are trying to get rid of. Use a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment and vacuum out your drawers.
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Wash them down with white vinegar and water. Insert open boxes of baking soda,deactivated charchol,or kitty liter.If there is still an odor you will probably have to seal them with shellac.
I'm with Janet. I've also used a concentrated liquid called "OdoBan."
You can also try using alcohol and coffee- check out these really helpful suggestions http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/furniture/q-remove-odor-from-antique-dresser-drawers-10920096
Remove odor from antique dresser drawers
There are all sort of labor-intensive methods, but the easiest is to simply give the insides of the drawers and the case itself, a coat of clear sealer (or paint). Don't forget the bottoms of the drawers too. Just coat all the raw wood surfaces. This will take care of the old and musty odor. :)
I was housekeeper for a historic residence for many years, and encountered this problem a lot. In my situation, any permanent alteration of the case goods was out of the question, so no sealing, or other non reversible methods were available. These steps generally worked.
First and best line of defense is lots of fresh air and sunshine. On a bright, dry day, remove the drawers and leave them outside for an hour or so (check after a while to make sure the sun is not damaging any fragile finishes, and if the piece is especially old or delicate, just air them inside. ) If there has been no harm done, leave them to air as long as possible.
After airing for a while, fill the drawers with crumpled news paper or news print, which often does a great job absorbing odors, and put them back inside the case. You might want to repeat these steps a few times, and they might be enough to cure the problem. If not, try lining the drawers with tissue or newsprint, and sprinkling lots of baking soda on the tissue... close the drawers and let sit over night or longer.
If there is mildew or mold inside the drawers or the case, make a weak bleach solution and sponge the inside (test a small hidden area first to make sure it's safe) then repeat the airing process.
Finally, wipe the insides of the drawers with a cloth and a little lemon oil, then repeat the airing process. This usually works, but make sure you let the lemon oil sit until the surface is no longer oily, buff well, and then line the drawers before putting anything in them. Some prefer cedar oil, but for me, the smell of cedar oil is also "antiquey" . Be aware that sometimes, the smell is from the back, or underside of a dresser or chest... make sure to examine the entire piece looking for mold, mildew, or even lots of dust, which can cause the smell to permeate the piece.
Once you've banished the smell, frequent airing ( a good idea for all furniture) should keep the problem at bay. Speaking of bay, adding bay leaves or lavender on top of any paper lining should also help with freshening.
I have used bars of nice soap or the more expensive candle cubes. Put them in a tiny baggy.
Camphor works
There is an herb called Sweet Annie. I packed all the drawers with it and closed them up for about 1 week. Aroma was gone and never returned
Yes it is. I don't plant directly in the ground as it will take over. Instead I sunk a pot in the dirt. In colonial days it was planted next to the kitchen door to keep flies away from the door
I put dryer sheets in each of the drawers. It took the stale smell out of the piece of furniture.
When you get new furniture never never never wipe the drawers out with a damp cloth!!! That will cause that smell you are trying to get rid of. Use a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment and vacuum out your drawers.