How to Get rid of old furniture smell?

Pat741503
by Pat741503
I can not get rid of the old dresser smell it's making our new clothes smell bad, please help
  17 answers
  • Katjo Katjo on Oct 31, 2014
    I've read that sealing the inside of the drawers with spray shellac will do the trick.
  • Betty Betty on Oct 31, 2014
    I have an old trunk that smelled. I cleaned the inside with vinegar. After it was dried, I placed trays filled with baking soda in the trunk and kept it shut for several days. I removed the trays and baking soda then I let it air for a couple of days. I store pillows in it now.
  • AvonelleRed AvonelleRed on Oct 31, 2014
    I would wipe it down inside and out with vinegar, then put a small bowl of activated charcoal inside each drawer. Shut the drawers tightly, and leave them closed for a few days.
  • Leslie D Leslie D on Nov 01, 2014
    Kilz Max Primer is used on construction projects where there has been a fire or where moldy/mildew smells remain after remediation. If it can seal in smoke smell, it should work if you paint the inside of the dresser/drawers. I would wipe down with vinegar first, or even spray a light mist of chlorox & water to the inside, just to make sure you have killed any active mold/mildew that may be living in the wood.
    • Janene Janene on Nov 01, 2014
      @Leslie D - I agree with Leslie D, Kilz does just what is says it will do. I would also clean it with light bleach or vinegar (it doesn't disinfect as thoroughly as bleach but it is effective). Good Luck!
  • Adriana Maranto Adriana Maranto on Nov 01, 2014
    I had a similar problem, sprayed Lysol foam in it, pull out all the drawers, cover all sides, inside cabinet too, let it sit for a few minutes, wipe down with warm water, let it air dry,make a mixture of vinegar, canola oil and an esencial oil that you like, rub this mixture on the dry wood , wait until it absorb and is dry, then you can put your clothes in it, worked for me, I hope it help you too.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Nov 01, 2014
    I agree with Katjo - easiest solution to the problem.
  • Clare Clare on Nov 01, 2014
    Fresh mint apparently helps remove the old odour... Have some in my old wardrobe at the moment and is helping! I would say any type of fragrant fresh herb hung up in a bunch would work too!! Good luck x
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Nov 01, 2014
    Oust is the only thing I have found that cleans up odors...but Johnson & Johnson does not make it any longer! I LOVED IT! I wish they still made it!
    • Shawnda Shawnda on Nov 01, 2014
      I miss it too...especially the unscented version. It really worked!
  • Shawnda Shawnda on Nov 01, 2014
    I'd wipe them with vinegar and water and put the drawers out in the sunshine all afternoon. Then sprinkle the drawers with baking soda and stuff lightly wadded newspapers in them for a day or two to absorb any lingering smells. I am an asthmatic though, so many of the sprays and cleaners above trigger a reaction.
  • Victoria Victoria on Nov 01, 2014
    I was told to wipe it out with vodka and sprinkle coffee in it and let it set awhile. Never tried it but the man swore by it.
  • Comet Comet on Nov 01, 2014
    IF you don't want to seal it with the odor still in the wood then get a product called ODOR MUTE---it is an enzyme smell remover in powder form that you buy dry and mix to suit the smell needs--I have used this on all sorts of thngs inc old furniture--it is made for pet odors and I have used it for pet icks and also for wild animal rehabs cage smells and skunk. If you can't find it at a local pet store get it on AMAZON--get UNSCENTED and if you have pets or kids get the larger size---costs less anyways. IF you use this it MUST dry naturally --but you can use a fan to direct the air at it to dry just don't use heat. After it is quite dry you can seal or leave plain. You can also use this on any fabric that is smelly---follow directions but you can even use this in the washer for sheets etc. Great stuff!
  • Mck739866 Mck739866 on Nov 01, 2014
    What works is ........wait for it..........Kitty Litter! Put the litter in the drawer for 3 days vacuum and no more smell!
  • Jackie Koepnick Jackie Koepnick on Nov 01, 2014
    if the kitty litter doesn't do try kids and pets cleaner and odor remover found in Wal-Mart it is good
  • Cynthia Cynthia on Nov 01, 2014
    My Mom used to sprinkle perfumed talc powder in the bottom of the drawers of the dresser and chest of drawers then line them with pretty paper. The clothes smelled wonderful. I still have that bedroom suit from my childhood.
  • Savvy Savannah Savvy Savannah on Nov 02, 2014
    reuse dryer softener sheets (ones that have gone through a load of drying) to line your drawers.
  • Kathryn A Rogers-Wilson Kathryn A Rogers-Wilson on Nov 06, 2014
    I like to tuck the bars of soap we used at the motel in my suitcase and when I'm home I put them where I need freshening. Suitcases, drawers, shoes, I've heard they just pitch them and this puts them to use! When I get the suitcases out again they smell delightful!
  • Deanne Marlene Smith Deanne Marlene Smith on Nov 17, 2014
    You can buy our Esstential Oil called Deep Cleanser mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spray in drawers and under the dresser. Let dry. Works well. Deesmith.my90forLife.com