25 Ideas On How To Get The Smell Out Of Old Items

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Do you wonder how to get the smell out of old things like dressers, furniture, wood, cabinets, books, suitcases, trunks and boxes? Well I had the same question! I recently had a pretty good garage sale haul and got a magnificent old box, but it was smelly. So I asked around and got a list of options on how to get the smell out of my thrifted finds! Since you guys are my junk lovin’ friends, I knew you would like a handy list to help you de-funk your finds as well! So here it is…

Now, I haven’t tried all of these methods personally, but many have been recommended by more than one person. I have used a few successfully myself too. You will have to find the solution that fits your item and situation best and it may take a mix up of a few suggestions to actually do the trick. If you are working on a smaller item like a book, place it in a large container, tub or plastic bag for some of the ideas below.  I’d love to hear your feedback, additional suggestions and success/fail stories! Comment below on them so we can help each other. I added links to some suggestions to help you find products easily.

How to Get the Smell Out Of Old Items

1. Place a box of Baking Soda in your box/furniture/item and leave it for a few days to absorb the odor.
2. Add moth balls (personally I am not so sure on this one, but let me know!)
3. Stink Slayer – this spray claims to de-stink skunk sprays so it should work on grandma’s goodies too!
4. Leave a layer of fresh ground coffee in your item. An added bonus would be to layer newspaper over it. 
5. Add activated charcoal to your treasure and let it work for a few days absorbing the smell of years past.
6. Try a cup of Borax, left to work on its own for a few days. 
7. Soak a sponge in vinegar (or spray vinegar depending on the surface of your item), cover it with baking soda and leave it closed up for two days. Follow up with a spell sitting in the sun. Bonus: leave a dryer sheet in it for the sun soaking part!
8. Spray with Vodka and leave it in the sun to dry out.
9. Try sporiciden – an item you can order online or find at Walmart – it is a disinfectant. 
10. Add laundry beads and dryer sheets and let it sit for a few days for a fresh scent.
11. Leave a bowl of vanilla extract in the item.
12. Add a sliced onion inside your item to absorb the odors.
13. Sprinkle with clove essentials oils and let them do their magic for a few days. 
14. Place a bowl of kitty litter inside to capture the smells.
15. Wash with Irish Spring Soap to clean out the stench.
16. Try Dixie Bell Paint Co. products, like this paint that shields smells.
17. Try Wise Oil Furniture Salve over wood to dismiss odors.
18. Use a piece of cedar inside when storing and to remove odors. 
19. Ball up newspaper and let it absorb nasty smells, leave it for a few days to do the job. Bonus – spray the paper with Febreeze.
20. OdoBan Spray
21. Wipe/Spray Pine Sol and let it have a good turn in the sun for odor elimination.
22. Wipe out with apple cider vinegar.
23. Cut an apple and leave it to soak up the stink.
24. Use a coat of Listerine for odor eradication.
25. Fill up your find with orange peels for a fresh scent.

As you can see there are a lot of things you can try to find the perfect solution to your stinky situation. I really can’t wait to hear what works the best for you! Have a great solution to add to the list…let me know in the comments! Pin this for all your future smelly thrifted finds!