How do I eliminate slight mildew odor from a cedar chest??
Question:I just got an old Lane Cedar Chest which I believe may have been stored in a damp basement. To remove the odor, will sanding it take care of the problem? I thought about putting baking soda in it,but wasn't sure if that would also draw out the cedar smell...
Answers:
Sanding the chest with a very fine sand paper should help. If not put it outside in a cold crisp day in the winter for a few hours with the top open and empty and this should take the smell away.
The cedar smell will probably be strengthened or refreshed by sanding it down a little. It permeates the wood, so I wouldn't worry about that.
I'd try wiping it down with vinegar & then leaving it out & open in the full sun for a day.
The baking soda may temporarily hide or mask the smell, but sanding it should refresh it.
Try one or all of these:
(1) Place paper/plastic cups filled w/baking soda in the cedar chest for a while
(2) Place paper/plastic cups filled with charcoal briquets
(3)Spray Lysol (Linen Scent) inside /outside the cedar chest.
Oil of cedar wood restores the aroma of old cedar chests.
I find that bleach water (a 5 to 1 mix) is the only thig that really gets rid of mold. I would wipe it down with that, then let it dry and lightly sand. That should kill the mold and restore the cedar smell. But to be honest I havn't delt with cedar that much.
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