I swear by Natural Magic odor absorbing gel. (Link below). Similar products like Citrus Magic work, and I just found a new brand I've tried (Clean Air) that seems to work equally well as Nat Magic. Bought a vintage Drexel bedroom set a couple years ago, dead of winter so I couldn't air it outside. It was beautiful and pristine but the inner drawers of one dresser had a perfume odor that nearly bowled me over. I cleaned it with mild dishwashing liquid and a tad of bleach just for kicks (and I wanted to clean it anyway). Odor stuck, so I put 3 containers inside the dresser, kept the drawers cracked open a bit (air flow enhances the odor removal with these products per the label) and left them there for several weeks, rotating between all the drawers. Took awhile, but it completely removed the odor. I've used it in all kinds of scenarios for all kinds of odors (pet, smoke, mildew, rental houses when showing, cars, inside furniture, etc.) Never lets me down! You can find these products at most hardware and big box stores like H Depot and Lowes has a good selection. About $1 cheaper at big box stores vs smaller hardware and paint stores. Oh, also Gonzo odor absorbing volcanic stones. You can get them in small bags for closet size and larger for room size. I've seen those at Home Depot. Seem to help, but the gels mentioned above are tried and true for me. Here is a link that might be useful: Natural Magic

Hi! Put three or four pieces of charcoal in a PLASTIC bowl and place inside the cabinet. Simply but so effective. Yes, charcoal--the kind you would use in a barbecue. Must be a PLASTIC bowl or it won't work. Radd

Use Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day lavender (they have other fragrances). I use a laundromat and have asthma, COPD, and very sensitive skin (I break out in hives and wheeze with most detergents. I use a three load washer and it calls for a tablespoonful a load but I use a bit less, and Downy free and gentle softener. The lavender smells good, but it's not overpowering and doesn't 'linger' like chemical fragrances, it just smells clean. In fact the clothing I wash only smells very faintly lavendery a few days later.

I think you might be holding it against the product because they stated it on the label. Which cycle do you think the fabric softener comes in to play? Ever wonder why there are seperate compartments for bleach, detergent and fab con? The reason is the wash cycle takes in Detertergent first, then bleach and then fabric softener is released in the rinse cycle :) As far as the chemicals are concerned, I know this because I have been working with chemicals and labelling regulations all my life. I work as a scientist in New York, I am a Bio Chem PhD from UMich... Products that kill germs (Lysol, Clorox etc) are regulated by the EPA which means by US law they are mandated to list ingredients on pack thus you will see ingredient details. Other products like detergents, oxies, fabric softeners dont kill germs hence not regulated by EPA or government and thus you might never see whats on the inside :)