I posted this question in the Antique and collectable board as well...but thought I'd ask here:

I've wiped it down with bleach on the inside, but I did this several years ago when I bought it..It didn't help. Yesterday was going to Kilz the inside, but stopped as I didn't want to mess with the piece's integrity. Are there any sure fire ways to get the odor out? It makes the whole room smell bad. I guess I could put a clear varnish on it? Would the odor eventually come thru? Thanks in advance, will check in soon.

My mother had a problem with an antique oak chest. She finally had to sell it.

She took the drawers outside and sprayed them with Lysol...gave them a good sunning over several days (inside at night-outside during the day. She also sprayed the interior of the chest 'box' with Lysol but left it in the house. After several days, the chest had no remaining odor. The drawers however did. My dad came to the conclusion that the drawer boxes were made out of what he called "piss" elm...because that is exactly what they smelled like.

I hope you find a better solution than selling.

Have you tried the very obvious solutions such as 3-4 gallons of coffee grounds, boxes of soda and charcoal? Sometimes the most time-honored solutions are over-looked when looking for a quick fix now days,

Nothing is "for sure" but fresh air solves many smell problems. It might not be easy but put it outside for several days. (Daytime only)

Thanks for the info. I'm going to get it downstairs and put it on the screened porch when there are a few nice sunny days as well as rub it again with vinegar and bleach. Now...just getting it downstairs

What about a diluted TSP and water to wipe it down with? I guess at this juncture nothing will hurt. I've got to get it downstairs and either into the garage or on the screen porch. It's rainy and humid here today and I don't think this would be the day to tackle this....but I have the day off. Thanks again!

If the smell is one the piece acquired from something stored in it, maybe a light sanding of the interior wood surfaces and thoroughly vacuuming out the sand dust might help. Don't sand any drawer runners; it will affect the drawer function.

But if the smell is inherent to the species of wood, sanding might make it smell worse as the wood pores get opened up again.

I'd be careful of applying any kind of water-based cleaner. Water and raw wood don't play together well, and you could end up warping the piece.

If nothing else works, I'd visit a paint speciality store (not at the big box) and ask for advice on clear sealers that will contain smell.

Better to start with something that will kill off mildew spores. (Since you mentioned that musty odor)
Have you tried using plain aerosol Lysol spray? Since you mentioned a moldy odor, I have used this on canvas that has gotten fungal growth. Several treatments and brushing the canvas outdoors to remove any spores has worked for me on the backs of old paintings.

quote:

Originally posted by conrad:
Since you mentioned a moldy odor...

Thought I must have missed that part, so I went back and re-read, twice. I still don't see that part... ?
Of course, everything depends on exactly what the odor is from.

I got the piece at an antique store, so I don't know what was stored in it...or if it was left down in a basement for years. I got it into the garage. It's an armoire with no drawers. I am going to try a diluted TSP concoction....then go back with some bleach, then on top of that i'm going to put some fabuloso cleaning stuff on a rag and wipe it down. If none of this works...I'm going to call my antique buddy to come get it and he can all out refinish it. I'm frustrated because I have so many other fish to fry. I'm trying to get my house ready to be put on the market. One thing I didn't want people smelling was musty old furniture. The smell in the room is night and day arleady. Wow. I'll post back and let ya'll know the outcome. keep fingers crossed folks!

It was I that generalized from the post on the Antique board.... "musty" being similar to moldy/mildewy.

exactly conrad!

oohhhhhhh....
Good luck with it!

An Antiques specialist told me once when I inquired because my upper buffet really smelled and nothing helped to put a few sprigs of rosemary inside. Fresh rosemary. I did this for several months and now it doesn't smell.

I bought an old dresser once that had a smell that I couldn't get out. I lightly sanded the entire interior of the piece, including the insides and outsides of the drawers, and then I applied two coats of verathane to absolutely all of the interior surfaces. It doesn't smell now at all.

Well....I didn't dilute the vinegar...I slathered it on with a microfiber cloth T W I C E! I did both the inside and the outside. I think I found where possible water damage caused some of the veneer to lift on the inside bottom. I literally poured the vinegar onto this area and then wiped up. I will keep it out in the garage for a couple more days. I hope this works, because if I go through the back breaking drama of getting it back upstairs and it still smells I'm going to get a hatchet and use it for firewood in the chimnea!

I have an old hi-boy that smells musty, but it's not intolerable.

Think I'll try the herb idea tho...tx

well HMPFFFFFF and poo! No Joy on the smell. It's still in the garage and I put another dousing of vinegar in it...still smells. I also went up to the room it has been in for quite a few years and opened windows in hopes of it being aired out. (We very rarely go upstairs) I thought the smell was out of the room, but went up today and was hit by the musty smell. Could that musty smell be sucked into the walls and into carpet? This just won't do That armoire is outta here asap. I'm so upset!

Ruby, have you tried plain old baking soda? Can you sprinkle it inside, let it sit at least overnight and then vac it out?

If you want to pm me your addy I could mail you some rosemary! Mine needs trimmed/cut back BAD! Yes, I'm serious!

Awe and Thank Karen...I've got plenty of rosemary at the garden center. but I so appreciate the offer! I'm just going to get rid of the darn thing. I could just put it on the street and it would be gone in 10 minutes.

Oh, wow, that's sad you have to get rid of it but I'd get rid of it too.

I vote for a coat of clear verithane or varnish on all surfaces of the armoire..undersides of shelves etc- all surfaces. Nothing can escape that. I coated my subfloor with varnish before putting new flooring down to seal off animal odors. Works like a charm.
If you have any clothing in that room that had been in the armoire they could continue to stink up the room.

Aww,that is too bad when some fresh air might have solved the problem. Putting it in the garage is not the same as fresh air outside. But you have to do what you feel is best. Someone else will be able to use it.

quote:

Smelly Antique Armoire

just got this today and I knew I wanted up in the wall so up it went, very easy. I used 2 hooks that go on drywall,no screws, no tools needed those get yourself a few, i hang all my stuff on the wall with these things) all by myself in less about 1.5 min, I kid u not...the product is very nice, wanted the darker wood almost black but my walk in closet is all white so this a perfect match..

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aljurabby,

I gave it away And, after I'd offered it up...I stuck my nose in it and the smell had finally gone away. I couldn't be an indian giver...so I helped load it up. Oh well....my room has no more odor so it all worked out minus my pretty piece.

That's a shame

I once passed on a very pretty antique dresser because when I opened the drawers it just reeked of what must have been 50+ years of cigarette smoke. Just ruined the prettiest piece of furniture.

There's still a good possibility that after being closed up again, the odor will return - especially if the inside areas were made up of a stinky wood. And even if not. The contents of my mother's cedar chest spent about as much time spread out over furniture in her guest room with the lid on the chest opened so that everything could air out.