How to get rid of musty smell?

Judith
by Judith
I bought an old hope chest, cedar lined and it smells very musty. How can I get rid of that smell?

  12 answers
  • Rowgop (Pam) Rowgop (Pam) on Apr 02, 2018

    Vinegar is great for cleaning on two fronts: it removes mold or mildew spots, as well as odors. Wet a lint-free white cloth with white vinegar, wringing out excess moisture. Wipe down all interior surfaces of the chest, then let the chest air dry while open.



  • Who28586475 Who28586475 on Apr 02, 2018

    Put coffee grounds (not used) in it for a few days. A friend of mine had a trucking company in which a whole shipment of fresh broccoli was left to rot. This eliminated the odor in a few days.

  • Charcoal! Wipe the inside out with a soft cloth doused in white vinegar. Then place some charcoal in a dish and place it inside for a while. Depending upon how much you place in there, a week or two should do it.

  • Bari Bari on Apr 02, 2018

    Lightly sand and take plain unused kitty litter sprinkle baking soda in a large glass pan & let it sit for a few days both absorb odors. You can use vinegar however not to wipe down just place glass dishes in it with the vinegar. Plain charcoal can be used but again place in dishes. you Can add lemon rinds to either the vinegar and to the litter


  • Ellen Marks Ellen Marks on Apr 02, 2018

    Sand the cedar and it will smell wonderful!

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Apr 02, 2018

    Put newspaper with coal to absorb the smell, keep the lid closed. Let it stay a few days. You can get the coal from a fish store where they sell aquariums.

  • Ro Ro on Apr 02, 2018

    keep the lid open, put a few bowls of baking soda in it and keep it in a dry area

  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Apr 02, 2018

    First I would wash this out with a damp cloth. Wad up some newspaper and stuff it inside (Tupperware used to advise removing odors such as onion from their containers this way)...placing a few charcoal bricks inside; close the lid and leave it for a while.


    Here is a good link that may help.


    http://homeguides.sfgate.com/clean-inside-old-cedar-chest-93558.html

  • Amanda Amanda on Apr 02, 2018

    Wash the inside with vinegar then stuff with newspaper. Close it for a few days. If the smell isn't gone, repeat. You could try adding cedar blocks or chips to absorb the smell and refresh the cedar lining, too.

  • Judith Judith on Apr 02, 2018

    Thanks to you all!

  • Itsmemic Itsmemic on Apr 02, 2018

    I bought cedar essential oils...mixed some up in a spray bottle and misted the inside of mine. Left it for days...did it once again..and now? Smells wonderful !! SO wonderful I now use the cedar spray on my cedar walls !