"My dresser and nightstand makes whatever I put in the drawers smell like wood. Is there anyway to get rid of that?"

Asked by Lola25 17 months ago

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The dresser &nightstand are like 5yrs old &are from a expensive furniture store &they are good quality except for the fact the drawers make my clothes smell. The wood on the inside of the drawers is unfinished wood. I've tried liners, sprays but the smell still overpowers &clings to clothes. I try not to put anything in them now until I figure out how to get rid of this but if I do put things in, I've lined the drawer completely w/dryer sheets then put what I need in the drawer!! But I'd like to be able to use my drawers again ¬ have to worry about the smell of the items I am putting in them. Its like I have to wash before putting my clothes away and then again before I can wear them because of the smell caused by the wood LOL Is there anything that I can do to solve this that won't turn into a huge project?? HELP ME PLEASE...clothes &stuff are everywhere right now taking over the room &floor when they SHOULD be in all these drawers that I can't use right now! Thanks for ANY help:)


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"Try Lining them"
 by tccat on Sep 12 2008 (17 months ago)
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Back in the good old days they would line drawers with cedar, this would smell nice and moths didn't eat the unmentionables. There are a few things you can use, good ole vinegar, spray into the drawers and wipe out, the smell will be gone and the vinegar will dissipate as it dries. When I bought my dresser, the drawers had a smell of sanded wood, I asked my grandmother, She told me when she and Pops bought their furniture back in the 30's, drawers were made of pine, she would take coffee and put it in a small food jar and set in the corner of the drawer, and it would take the smell out. They also sell cedar paper and if you don't mind the smell, works good too. Here is a site on the web for more ideas: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf761977.tip.html
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"You could 'seal' the inside of the drawers"
 by HELENofTROY on Sep 12 2008 (17 months ago)
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Just buy a can of clear polyurethane and ’paint’ the inside of the drawers.  You can even polyurethane the inside of the dresser and nightstand using a ’spray polyurethane’. 

 

That should completely seal the wood and get rid of the ’wood’ smell.

 

Just make sure to do the project in a ’well ventilated’ area.  Once the spray or polyurethane paint is dry, it should be odorless...but it will smell while it’s wet.

 

Minwax FastDrying Polyurethane, Spray Satin

Minwax FastDrying Polyurethane, Spray Satin
Minwax is a very good brand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Click image to enlarge.
1. Make your own sealer by thinning oil-based polyurethane with mineral spirits. Brush the sealer on with a natural-bristle brush using long, even strokes. Be sure to catch any runs.


Click image to enlarge.
2. Use undiluted polyurethane varnish straight from the can for the second and third coats. After you’ve wet the entire surface, go back and overlap each stroke across the entire surface, following the direction of the grain.

 

For complete directions, check out http://www.rd.com/18084/article18084.html

 

For the inside of the drawers, you don’t really have to be so fussy...I would just paint it on straight from the can.  Helen <:O)
Sources: http://www.rd.com/18084/article18084.html

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"Soap"
 by TxStorm817 on Sep 14 2008 (17 months ago)
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You can put a bar of soap in each drawer and this hsould take the smell away.Your clothes will smell very good.
                                                                                          I hoped this helped,Angela

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Latest post on this question's discussion board:

You could try finishing the drawers, painting them with a wood sealant. Just remove the drawers, use a sponge paint brush to help eliminate excess splatter, and paint them with a clear wood sealant. Let them dry for a few days, and viola, no more smell. You can buy a sealant at any home depot, Lowe's or whatever is close to you. Ask the guy there which is best for the type of wood you have. You could even take a small drawer with you to show.

And I second Sea_Change's question. If it is cedar, that is a really pleasant smell for most people. If you don't like it though, you can still use the sealant solution.
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