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Home » DIY Projects » 25 Ideas On How To Get The Smell Out Of Old Items

DIY Projects

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

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…how to get the smell out of old things and vintage finds. This complete list of ideas on how to get the musty smell out of boxes, books, trunks and furniture will help you eliminate odor from your antiques and thrifted finds. #cleaningtip #furnituretip #oldstuff

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. 25 ideas on how to get the smell out of old dressers, furniture, wood, cabinets, wood, suitcases, trunks, books and other old thrifted finds for fresh decor you will cherish. #goodtips #odoreater #antiquefurniture

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. The dresser gets a makeover and an encouraging message comes into play.
  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.I can't believe this old entertainment center was on the curb. Now it is a fabulous antiqued mirror French chest.
  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 SprayAn old school flatware storage box gets a cozy makeover for Fall. Now it's the perfect hot chocolate station!
  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.How to paint wicker the easy way. Painting rattan, wicker and cane furniture or accessories can be hard, but this tool makes it easy! DIY tutorial and instructional video for painting wicker here!
  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!25 ideas on how to get the smell out of old dressers, furniture, wood, cabinets, wood, suitcases, trunks, books and other old thrifted finds for fresh decor you will cherish. #goodtips #odoreater #antiquefurniture

Blessings, Kim from Hunt & HostConnect more here:

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Comments

  1. Terri Kramer says

    April 14, 2020 at 7:54 AM

    Kim,
    Thank you so much for the tips!!
    I have personally used charcoal. I had fresh shrimp in my car and the bag leaked on the carpet. I did not realize for a few days while on vacation in the sun……but PPPPUUUUU!!!
    I cleaned well and have brickets of charcoal on my car floor for a month and it dissipated the smell!!!

    Reply
    • Kim at Salvaged Living says

      April 14, 2020 at 9:51 AM

      oh wowo – what a mess, so glad it worked for you!!!

      Reply
  2. Lynne says

    April 14, 2020 at 12:57 PM

    I have used charcoal, newspaper, dryer sheets – all worked pretty well. What actually worked the best was fresh air and sunshine! If the item is safe in the sun, I now try that first. Someone once suggested I cut open a potato and leave it in the box I had bought. I did. I forgot to take it out for a couple of weeks. Learn from my error – do not do this!!! If you can’t take the potato out in a couple of days, try another method.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Kim. I believe getting your hands dirty can be a way to get your heart clean. This blog is a decorating and DIY guide to seeing God in the details of your day, hobby and home. Read more...

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