Heat the contact paper with a hairdryer....and peel, a little at a time....then use a solvent like mineral spirits to remove anygoo residue

Why not try putting the drawers out in the sun to dry them out for several days.

I vacuumed and cleaned inside, but haven't been able to remove the old contact paper yet because I want to take the drawers outside to do that.

Yes, Richard, that's my plan -- take them outside on a sunny, warmer day.

I would not use an ozone generator in an occupied space. Ozone can react negatively with other chemicals that may be in the space. It also can have a range of negative effects on respiration. There really isn't a good shortcut. Remove the contact paper with heat and the remaining adhesive with a solvent. Air out the drawers, preferable outside in the sun.

Once the drawers are out, you should check the base of the frame for mouse droppings. Even if there are no signs of pests, the odor has probably permeated the frame for the drawers too. I'd use a fan to blow air into the frame. You could try spraying in some of the enzyme spray used for pet accidents (I like Anti-Icky-Poo best), but that may or may not help. Worst case, paint the drawers and all of the interior surfaces of frame with Kilz or BIN-123. I think BIN is more effective, but it stinks to high heaven until it's dry.

I appreciate the responses.

There are no mouse droppings anywhere in the house -- not even the basement.

The only insects found have been the Asian Ladybugs that come inside when weather turns cold, but I've not found any of them in these drawers. I've seen no bed bugs anywhere, as that was my first concern in a drawer.

The walls of the bedroom are plaster, but I've found no moisture/mold accumulation in the drawers. It's really odd because some of the drawers are fine, but three emit the odor.

Until I can take these outside to remove the contact paper and air out, I've used Clorox wipes in the drawers and that's helped.

If I can't get all the goo off the drawers, I'll line them with something, but not repeat the problem by using more contact paper.

I have a 1939 house too with wood drawers for linens. It gives the sheets a funky smell. If guests are coming I have to rewash sheets. For our use it’s ok.

They do make scented drawer lining, if you google it you can probably find some. My daughter bought some that was baby scented at Bye Bye Baby or a store like that, it smells really good

In my 1932 house after thoroughly cleaning the smelly, unfinished wood drawers I varnished them.

So, this sounds like a common issue for built-in wood drawers in old houses.

Thanks!

What is that smell? Not horrible, but odd. My drawers are just bare wood inside. You wouldn't think it could smell funny. As Socalgal said, probably something to seal them would help.

We put sachets of dried flowers with powerful smells inside our drawers for a while. The drawers replaced the old smell with rose and lavender. It may help until you can replace the paper.

I believe it must be coming from old wood glue, containing collagen from skins of animals as the main ingredient. They used to use it for centuries and I suspect they stopped recently, as I remember my hobbyist carpenter dad telling me a similar thing about its origin when I was a kid. We bought our 1960 brick ranch house a year ago, otherwise in a great shape, and with entire year of abundant vinegar and baking soda and taking the drawers out into the sun, they all smell almost like poop when you open them, and it's every single old built-in drawer from bathrooms and vanity area in one end of the house to the garage cabinets on the other end, otherwise clean, so it can't be mice or skeletons.

So put some dried lavender in the drawers or open a bar of soap and leave it in the drawer. Better yet, find some small size hotel soaps so that the soap smell won't be overpowering.