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How to remove strong perfume smell from unimished wood dresser?

8 years ago

I have inherited a beautiful antique dresser/vanity. Unfortunately there must have been some perfume stored and spilled in it which is now absorbed into all of the raw wood on the inside of the dresser. Not just the drawer in question, but the carcass and all!

The drawers fit quite tightly in the frame, so I'm hesitant to seal with an odour blocking primer and then paint as I fear the double layers will affect the functioning of the drawers. What can I do to either remove the smell or seal it in? So far I've washed it down with antibacterial wipes, Murphy's oil soap and rubbing alcohol, sprinkled several boxes of baking soda replacing every 2-3 days, left bowls of baking soda, put it out in the sun, left the worst drawer outside in a cold garage for weeks - nothing has worked!

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iCustomSofa
8 years ago
Have your tried industrial grade vinegar, soaking it and rubbing into the wood with fine steel wool?
Rosemary G thanked iCustomSofa
Rosemary G
Original Author
8 years ago
Not yet, but just finally got my hands on double strength cleaning vinegar! Its hard to find in Canada but you can special order it from Home Hardware. Will tackle it and let you know how it goes. Thank you for the suggestion.
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I'm going to push Natural Magic or Citrus Magic again. Usually at paint counters or cleaning supplies of hardware stores. Ace, Lowes, and some paint dealers near me. There's also a newer brand, Clean Air, I've picked up at Lowe's. I lean toward the Natural Magic only because it's $1 cheaper for the same size container. Any of them work well, the stuff is amazing. There's also Gonzo volcano chips (Home Depot). Gonzo works, but the magic absorbers seem to work much faster. I see the post I linked to is gone. I bought a vintage Drexel Heritage bedroom suite, solid cherry, pristine but one center dresser drawer had perfume smell (strong, like some spilled). It carried into other drawers. No way could I use it, all our clothes would smell like that old perfume. So I cleaned with bleach water, no luck. Put a couple Natural Magic containers in the dresser, kept the drawers cracked about 2" (for air flow, the 'magic' absorbers need some air flow). Rotated them around inside different drawers for about 3 weeks, and smell was gone. I use them everywhere, from rentals between tenants, my closets, cars, pet areas, etc. Worth every penny!
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I am one who subscribes to the sunshine and fresh air theory ;) In the interim, I've linked to a product below that I really like. You can get it at Lowe's, for sure, and other stores (paint stores) but Lowe's is least expensive in my area. I bought a vintage (but pristine) Drexel bedroom suite and the drawers smelled of perfume (it was obnoxious). Before I ever used it I put several of these odor absorbers inside the drawers and kept them shut tight for a good month. (We got the set in winter). Come summer there was no need to air it out, after a month the smell was completely gone and dresser/armoire/night table smelled fresh and a bit citrus like, instead of old stale perfume ;) There's Citrus Magic, but I much prefer Natural Magic. Also, my local Ace has begun selling some very pricey odor absorbing gels ($17) I heard good things about but can't attest to and can't remember the name. Maybe your local Ace would have it? (Mine has it on a display with a video playing, so it's very prominent).
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Cooper - I can't believe I didn't think about taping off the painted part. I'd do it outside with a respirator. Hhireno - I've never been to SF. I never gave a thought to seals being stinky! It definitely could be a worse smell. Some people might even LIKE the smell of the drawers. I really wish I did! Irish - From reading about those, it sounds like you have to replace them every so often? I think I'm going to buy both the absorbers and something for in the drawers while I'm out. If I don't end up using the absorbers in the drawers I have some other places I'd like to try them. I'm glad to hear they worked for you too. Tuesday - Thanks! I'm really leaning towards a spray vs. brush. However... if only the inside of the drawers are sealed, is it safe to assume the smell might not completely be gone since it could be in the inside and under side of the dresser? Does that make sense?
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er1998
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Try closing it with charcoal inside.
Moonshadow
8 years ago
I had the same situation with a dresser. Nothing I wiped it out with worked. So I got a couple odor absorbing tubs, placed them in the empty drawers and every few days I'd rotate them to a different drawer. I left all the drawers cracked open maybe 3" - 4" because the odor absorbers work better with some air circulation. It took a few weeks but it did get the perfume smell out.

I use odor absorbers in rentals between tenants so have tried several brands. (Note: these aren't air fresheners that mask odors, they actually do absorb them.) Natural Magic is my preferred brand and what I used in my dresser. And I use the gel form, not a fan of the beads. Citrus Magic brand is also good. Avoid dollar store brands, they are a bit less expensive but don't work as well in my experience.

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