Remove any fabric or paper lining it. Scrub the wood. Let it dry in the sun if possible. I painted the wood in mine to seal it and then lined it with fabric that looked vintage. Over 10 years and still good. It stunk until I did all that.
Put it outside in the warm sun - sprinkle in a good amount of baking soda and wait... I don't know that it will work but I know it will help. Afterward, empty the baking soda an add some sprigs of lavender or other dried sweet smelling flowers and use room spray. Keep the lid open until the room spray dries...
Sunshine! Charcoal or baking soda will help. Maybe a cup of vinegar sitting inside (not sprayed on). You might also be able to coat the inside with a sealant.
Before starting to treat the trunk, vacuum it out, being sure to get into all of the crevices, corners, etc. Remove dirt/dust from the corners using Q-tips of necessary. Be sure you've emptied all hidden compartments. Remove all paper or material liners. If possible, wipe the inside out with a damp cloth and allow to completely air dry out-of-doors.
Use both charcoal briquettes, not "fast light," and stuff the trunk full of wadded up black/white newspapers (don't use the shiny ads). You may need to repeat this multiple times as trunks closed over a period of time can contain odors from old paper, inks, materials, leathers and even molds/mildews. Vinegar sprayed lightly on the top of the newspaper (not so much that it is soggy or touching the sides, bottom or top of the trunk, just spritzed) may be useful if you don't notice a huge decrease in the odor. You can also add a bowl of baking soda.
All else fails and the odor still remains you can seal the odor in.
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.
I bought an armoire on eBay and it was owned by an elderly lady before she passed away. I cannot get that old (like elderly smelling) musty smell out of the armoire....
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Remove any fabric or paper lining it. Scrub the wood. Let it dry in the sun if possible. I painted the wood in mine to seal it and then lined it with fabric that looked vintage. Over 10 years and still good. It stunk until I did all that.
Two ways - pour baking soda in and let it sit, then vacuum. Second, pour kitty litter in and let that sit and vacuum
You can use wadded up or shredded newspapers, closing them in the trunk and then discarding the papers. Repeat as needed.
Activated charcoal can also work.
Put it outside in the warm sun - sprinkle in a good amount of baking soda and wait... I don't know that it will work but I know it will help. Afterward, empty the baking soda an add some sprigs of lavender or other dried sweet smelling flowers and use room spray. Keep the lid open until the room spray dries...
Charcoal! Put a couple pounds of it in a dish and close the lid for about a week. If you can drag it out in the sun, it will go a bit quicker.
Sunshine! Charcoal or baking soda will help. Maybe a cup of vinegar sitting inside (not sprayed on). You might also be able to coat the inside with a sealant.
Before starting to treat the trunk, vacuum it out, being sure to get into all of the crevices, corners, etc. Remove dirt/dust from the corners using Q-tips of necessary. Be sure you've emptied all hidden compartments. Remove all paper or material liners. If possible, wipe the inside out with a damp cloth and allow to completely air dry out-of-doors.
Use both charcoal briquettes, not "fast light," and stuff the trunk full of wadded up black/white newspapers (don't use the shiny ads). You may need to repeat this multiple times as trunks closed over a period of time can contain odors from old paper, inks, materials, leathers and even molds/mildews. Vinegar sprayed lightly on the top of the newspaper (not so much that it is soggy or touching the sides, bottom or top of the trunk, just spritzed) may be useful if you don't notice a huge decrease in the odor. You can also add a bowl of baking soda.
Baking soda, essential oil of your choice and sunshine.
Used coffee grounds really work.
All else fails and the odor still remains you can seal the odor in.
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.