Smelly Drawers

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Jeff L Headley

Well-known member
I have smelly drawers! I have a Federal chest of drawers that is two over four with poplar secondary. The drawers have no inside finish!!! A great Mahogany bowfront. Two over four, an underware drawer and a sock drawer over four drawers. After about two months all my T- shirts stink. I have tried everything other than appliying a shellac finish on the inside of the drawer.The first drawer under the two top drawers is my tee- shirt drawer. We have swithched detergents and fabric softeners. I guess it could be me but I shower every evening. Dog on it!
 
Jeff,

It sounds to me like the chest had something stored in it before you started putting your clothes in it that does not react well with your detergent and fabric softener.  While it is true that drawers were left unfinished "back in the day" it may be necessary to put that coat of shellac on the drawer(s) just so you can use it.  Or you can sic one of your dogs on it and chase whatever it is out.  Dog gone it.  PSP
 
Please don't apply any sort of finish to the drawer interiors (I don't believe you actually would). Try countering the odour for a while with something you do like the smell of.

I often put a stick of cinnamon inside the case of a chest of drawers and the missus is fond of a bunch of lavender. The new fragrance will hopefully override the old smell and in time it will disappear.
 
Jeff,
What about mixing/making up some scented beeswax and applying it to the drawer parts? It would help seal the oder in the wood, smell better, and help with the drawer opening and closing?
Joe
 
Jeff, I have tried every thing I have ever heard of that was supposed to remove odors from the insides of case work. There are two things that I have used that actually worked. There is a product that Wal- Mart uses to clean up vomit and spills in their stores, I believe it is called "odbegone" or something similar, it it is an aerosol they don't sell it in the stores but I got a can from a friend that worked there a few years ago. I used it on a piece that had a nasty stench in it. I had several boxes of baking soda and several other things in it for weeks and could not get the smell out. I sprayed the interior twice and it was odor free and I was finally able to sell the piece. The second thing that works is an ozone generator but they are pricey. Ozone generators are what the fire clean up companies use to remove smoke odor.
 
Jeff,

Please let us know what the outcome of this situation is, as some of us have encountered this problem before and may again.  I did an online search of "odorbegone" and found a number of products.  It would be interesting to know if any of them are the one that Walmart uses.  Judging by the makers" advertising, most of their odor problems relate to pets.  If you come up with your own formula, you can market it as 'Dog off it'.  PSP
 
I am familiar and use "Odoban" for pet mistakes but it works in many other situations. The original is a eucalyptus scent which is fresh and not overbearing. It doesn't stain and I know a few people who put some in the wash to freshen clothes. You can find it in Wall Mart but Home Depot also carries it.

Check there web site http://www.odoban.com/home.php as they indicate it is great to use as a fire restoration product. With two dogs I highly recommend it.

Jim
 
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