ltray
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posted on December 30, 2003 10:38:49 AM new
I have had much of my life stored in boxes and storage sheds for a long time. I am finally unpacking, sorting and deciding what to keep. The problem is we live in Florida and much of my antique furniture now smells awful.
Has anyone found a way to get rid of that "old wood" smell? I think it must be some kind of mold because I have washed it down with bleach and sat it in the sun for hours and it still smells awful. I don't want to have to refinish every piece. And tossing it is out of the question. My grandmothers bow front china cabinet smells like its been stored in a barn! Help!!!
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kiara
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posted on December 30, 2003 10:46:57 AM new
There are lots of ideas here.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/treasure/msg0917010012403.html
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ltray
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posted on December 30, 2003 11:06:57 AM new
Thanks Kira, have tried all those. Charcoal, kitty litter, baking soda, lemon juice. All those work for mild smells, but once its into the grain of the wood I have yet to find something that takes it out short of refinishing and sealing the wood.
Febreeze doesn't work, just has a stronger odor than the mold. And I really hate the smell of it. I have a very sensitve nose.
Don't want to paint the china cabinet. I could strip it and re-varnish but I like my antigue finishes. I have considered a light coat of spray varnish just to seal the wood, but even that is a crime in true antiques. I can't beleive someone hasn't come up with a product that really works for wood and textiles. Florida's state plant should be mold. It gets into everything!!!
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earthmum
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posted on December 30, 2003 11:27:51 AM new
Try leaving pans of vinegar in the cabinet for a day or two. Seems to work really well to get cigarette smoke smell out of a car. Use a shallow large pan, so as to expose as much vinegar to the air as possible. Can't hurt, may fix it.
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kiara
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posted on December 30, 2003 11:30:04 AM new
I had a display cabinet in my shop once that smelled so I washed it with bleach and then burned incense cones in it and the smell went away....... or else it got covered by the incense smell. I have a very sensitive nose also and I would have noticed if the old musty smell was still there and I kept the cabinet for years after.
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mikeylou
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posted on December 30, 2003 01:11:10 PM new
How long are you leaving the stuff in there to draw out the smell?
A few years back we got a nice dresser from a neighbor who was moving out...and was also a chain smoker. We wound up leaving the newspaper and baking soda in it for a few months. If it has really permated the wood, it'll need more than a few days to draw the stench out.
-------------------
Time is an illusion perpetrated by the manufacturers of space.
http://www.bluedragyn.net
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JaPERton
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posted on December 30, 2003 02:35:04 PM new
I was told by a couple of folks who ran estate sales I used to frequent (loooong before I even knew about the Internet!) that the smell never really comes out and to be warned of buying furniture that has that smell.
I am sure that is so NOT helpful...erg...
J
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ltray
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posted on December 30, 2003 03:39:33 PM new
Thanks for all the good ideas! I see some I am going to try. I had forgoten about the vinegar.
Usually leave whatever I am using for a week. Anything less than a week will only get rid of the odor long enough to convince you to take it into the house and then the smell returns.....UCK!
I used to have a shop and finally refused to buy anything that had an odor because it was just too hard to get rid of the smells and my customers were very picky people. If these weren't family heirlooms, they would be going to a sale somewhere.
Thanks again!
oh, and one more for our list. I've heard of putting sliced apples or bread slices in drawers to draw out the scent.
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Bear1949
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posted on December 30, 2003 04:05:18 PM new
If you can securely wrap the items in plastic or place them in plastic bags, place several sheets of "bounce" or other dryer sheets in the bags & seal shut for a week or so.
"If you believe you can tell me what to think, I believe I can tell you where to go. Not all of us are sheep....."
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ltray
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posted on December 30, 2003 04:38:53 PM new
Thanks Bear, Now why had I not thought of the bag thingy??? Next run to the furniture store for bubblewrap, I am going to get one of their big plastic bags. Put vinegar in a bowl and then seal up the cabinet in the bag. That should either get rid of the smell or pop the old finish right off and then I'll have to refinish it, lol.
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classicrock000
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posted on December 30, 2003 08:15:27 PM new
Kitty litter? try using USED kitty litter,I bet that gets the smell out
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ltray
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posted on December 30, 2003 09:23:15 PM new
Well Classic, it might smell better than it does now, but its not quite what I'm trying to acheive.
Another little tidbit. Cat litter is not only good for absorbing odors, it is great for soaking up oil stains on concrete.
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sparkz
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posted on December 30, 2003 09:25:12 PM new
When I was in the moving business, we would get calls to transport furniture that had been damaged by smoke in fires and water and mud from floods to a local company that specialized in restoration and odor removal. I suspect their methods were not widely publicized, but if you know someone who works for one of these companies, they might be able to offer some help. Your agent who handles your homeowners insurance policy should also be able to get you some good advice from specialists within their company. Smoke and mold damage to wood can result in as big of a disaster as a total loss, so most of your insurance companies know all the tricks in restoration to avoid having to settle on a total loss.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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glassgrl
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posted on December 31, 2003 10:08:44 AM new
maybe if you put the BAG over your HEAD instead it will help.......
I LOVE Endicia! You will too – Click here!
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ltray
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posted on December 31, 2003 11:11:59 AM new
Glassgrl,
Nope doesn't help. I tried that. The bag would fog up and I would fall down.
" Help, Help, I've fallen and can't get up!"
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classicrock000
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posted on December 31, 2003 11:54:33 AM new
I remember the joke about a girl being so ugly before you had sex with her you put a bag over her head.
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ltray
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posted on December 31, 2003 12:15:57 PM new
And then there is the one about the 2 bagger. One for her and one for you incase her's falls off....
And coyote ugly. You wake up with a strange woman on your arm and she is so ugly, you're willing to chew your arm off (like a coyote) to keep from waking her up as you make your getaway.
Ph please, stop me now!!!!
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classicrock000
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posted on December 31, 2003 12:35:59 PM new
I remember the joke about a girl being so ugly before you had sex with her you put a bag over her head.
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stonecold613
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posted on January 1, 2004 09:32:44 AM new
I would try moving auctiondoofus off of your furniture. Everything he posts really has a "Yucky Smell" as well. Then put the bag over his head and give the rest of us a break as well.
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