How to Get Rid of Antique Wood Smell

While you may love antique wood furniture, any musty old odor lingering on the wood is not as charming as the piece’s appearance. Remedy that by killing mildew spores lurking in the wood. Move the wood piece to a garage or other area in which you can work without worrying about splashing cleaning solution on carpet or household items. Wear protective work gloves, such as rubber gloves, and work clothes.

White bread
Bowl
White distilled vinegar
Wood soap
Rags
Bucket
Household liquid bleach or lemon juice
Paintbrush
Varnish

Instructions

- 1
  Place one slice of white bread in a bowl, and cover the bread with white distilled vinegar. Place the bowl inside the wood item if possible. For example, place the bowl in a drawer if the item is a dresser or cabinet, and close the drawer. The bread-vinegar mixture will absorb much of the musty odor. Remove the bowl after 24 hours.
- 2
  Wash varnished areas of the wood with wood soap by following the wood soap manufacturer’s package instructions. Dry the washed wood thoroughly.
- 3
  Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of water and add 1 teaspoon of household liquid bleach, or use equal parts of water and lemon juice. Paint all unfinished surfaces of the wood with the solution. That includes inside and under drawers, the item's back and bottom and internal wood guide rails. Allow the piece to dry thoroughly.
- 4
  Paint a thin layer of varnish over the unfinished wood areas you brushed with bleach or lemon solution. Dry the wood thoroughly. The varnish will seal in remaining musty odors.

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