What Is the Correct Way to Place a Scented Drawer Liner?

Variety

• Drawer liners come in a variety of patterns, from floral to geometric, to cartoon characters for children's rooms, as well as a variety of colors and scents. They also come in different types of materials such as thick paper, rice paper, nonslip or with a self-adhesive backing, and with PVC-coated rubber. PVC is a waterproof vinyl, resistant to dirt, oil, mildew, various chemicals and UV light. Individual rolls of scented drawer liners average approximately 16-1/2-by- 22 inches and come in a variety of prices, often expensive. Scented drawer liners are intended to be placed pattern-side up in the drawer. Self-adhesive liner should not be used where it might damage fragile wood.

Preparation

• Chic Shelf Paper recommends unrolling new liners pattern-side up for a day or two to take out the curl and make installation easier. In the meantime, clean the surfaces on which the liner will be placed. Lift out any old liner and use a putty knife, if necessary, to release old adhesive. Dust out the drawer to remove any debris that might prevent new liner from laying properly. You might want to wash the drawer bottom with soapy water. Let dry thoroughly before installing new liner.

Measuring

• For a good fit, drawer bottoms must be measured with a measuring tape, both length and width. Taking the drawer out and measuring it upside down -- just the bottom, not the drawer's sides, front or back -- works best for some people. Add an inch to the measurements to allow for mistakes in cutting, since it is easier and more economical to trim a liner down if it is too big than to cut a new piece to fit. Also add an inch to the measurements to provide a little extra protection from the sides of the drawers, if desired. Liners can be cut from the roll with scissors, following measurements. If the liner does not have ruler lines on the back as a cutting guide, the pattern on the front might provide a guide for cutting in straight lines.

Application

• Lay the paper in the drawer, working from the back of the drawer to the front, and smooth down. For adhesive-backed liners, Chic Shelf Paper advises peeling back a one-inch strip of the backing and crease the backing so the liner can lay flat, pattern-side up. Carefully place the top two corners of the liner paper into the two top corners of the drawer. Then use one hand to gently smooth the rest of the liner into the drawer and bottom two corners. Occasionally hold the paper taut and pull back the liner to expose small sections of adhesive as you work. Remove any trapped air bubbles by lancing them with a sewing needle or pin, then re-smooth the area.

Switching Out

• Scented drawer liners lose their scent over several months. Once or twice a year, replace scented liners to keep scent at its peak, Overstock.com recommends.