How to Get the Smell Out of Clear Coated Furniture

A clear coat of shellac or varnish protects wood furniture from scratches, stains and spills. Although many types of furniture come with a clear coat already on, do-it-yourselfers can apply a clear coat to maintain the appearance and condition of furniture. A new coat of shellac or varnish can cause the furniture and surrounding area to smell for a few days until the clear coat dries and cures and the smell has time to dissipate. If a few days is far too long to live with the unpleasant chemical smell you can get rid of the smell with a few simple techniques.

Electric fan
Bowls
White vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon oil
Spray bottle
Clean cloths

Instructions

- 1
  Place the newly coated furniture outdoors in a sheltered place to air out for five to seven hours. Alternatively, you position the furniture near an open window. Aim an electric fan at the piece of furniture and open window to push the odor out of the house.
- 2
  Fill three or four small bowls with full-strength white vinegar. Set the bowls beneath or next to the furniture to help deodorize the clear coat smell and the surrounding area.
- 3
  
  Vinegar is a natural odor remover.
  
  Mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of lemon oil together in a bowl to remove the remaining odor after the clear coat has dried.
- 4
  Dip a clean cloth in the lemon oil and vinegar solution. Wring out excess moisture.
- 5
  Wipe the surface of the clear-coated furniture to remove the varnish smell. Allow the lemon oil solution to sit on the surface of your furniture piece for five minutes.
- 6
  Dry the surface with another cloth. Buff it to a shine.

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