How to Remove Smelly Odors From Old Dresser Drawers

Today, we’re sharing a solution to one of our most commonly asked questions…How to Remove Smelly Odors From Old Dresser Drawers!

Have you ever been in a thrift store, an old barn or even a yard sale and completely fallen in love with a dresser?

On the outside it’s perfection.Then you pull out the drawers and this obnoxious odor hovers just under the tip of your nose.It’s in that moment over a cigarette smoke, mildew induced, musty, grimy haze that you have a decision to make.

Should you take the chance or walk away?

It Started with a Simple Dresser Makeover, Smelly Drawers & a Big Decision

A few years ago, I acquired a beautiful dresser.I loved the vintage lines and hardware the minute I saw it.At the time, I decided to paint piece with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Duck Egg, followed by a coat of clear furniture paste wax.

Once the dresser had been painted, waxed and sealed, I thought I was done.

But something about the smell coming from the drawers really bothered me.It was so subtle at first I didn’t really notice it. The more time I spent painting the dresser though, the more I realized it wasn’t the pollen I was struggling with – it was the smell coming from the dresser drawers.

There are some pieces of furniture where the wood is too damaged and the smell so awful, I walk away knowing it’s just too hard to fix.Given wood is porous, you honestly just have to trust your gut and decide if the extra work is even worth it.

That said, there are a few things you can do to try and remove smelly odors from piece of furniture that are still in relatively good shape but have been sitting a while, waiting to be refreshed!

Here are 7 tips to help remove smelly odors from old dresser drawers…

Start with a Shop Vac, Brush or Broom

As soon as I bring a piece of furniture home, I immediately get out the shop vac.I get rid of all of the cobwebs and any lose dirt, debris or flaking paint.

If you don’t have a shop vac you can use a coarse bristle brush broom or vacuum cleaner with an attachment.Keep in mind, if you’re using a vacuum cleaner with an attachment make sure to empty the canister immediately after cleaning the dresser drawers.

Wipe Down the Dresser Drawers

Depending on the intensity of the smell, I’ll mix 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar with 1 quart of warm water and wipe down the inside of each drawer.The trick to this tip is that you don’t want to saturate the wood with the vinegar solution.

So, your cloth should only be slightly damp.

Allow the Smelly Odors in the Dresser Drawers to Air Out

Allow the drawers to air out in the sun.A few days if possible, but I understand sometimes that’s not always an option.There’s just something about the sunshine that seems to draw out the odors though so if you’re able give it a shot.

Make Your Own Air Freshener

Place a small cup filled with borax or baking soda in each drawer and close the drawers.Let the borax or baking soda absorb the odors for a few days if possible.

I’ve also placed dryer sheets in each drawer for a few days.Dryer sheets work best if the smell is tolerable and not overwhelming.

Use a Wood Cleaner

Clean the drawers with a wood cleaner like Murphy’s Oil Soap.Again, you don’t want to saturate the wood so wipe with a cloth that is slightly damp.

Feed and Condition the Smelly Dresser Drawers After You’ve Properly Cleaned Them

After a good scrubbing, sometimes the wood inside the dresser drawers can become parched and thirsty.Feed the drawers with a wood conditioner that smells pleasant.You’ll want to do this step after you’ve cleaned the drawers really well and allowed them to dry in the sun.

Try a Safe Odor Eliminating Spray

After taking the drawers out, use an odor eliminating spray like Febreeze or safe spray of your choice, inside the body of the dresser.Sometimes it’s really hard to clean the back and sides of a piece of furniture.

Make every effort to clean these areas as well as you can then use the odor eliminating spray in a well ventilated area.

Keep in mind, every wood species is different just like each piece of furniture and the environment in which they’ve been living is different.You may only need to use one of these tips or as in my case with this dresser, I had to do all 7 steps.

Either way, it will be worth the effort.Some pieces just steal your heart and you know they deserve a second chance.

Speaking of second chance, we’ve completed so many furniture makeovers over the past few years.Here are some of our favorites: Home Office Desk Makeover, Dresser Makeover in Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint, DIY French Country Bed Crown, and a French Linen Hutch Makeover.

To see all the posts sharing our painted furniture makeovers from start to finish, head to the Painted Furniture Category here.

Many blessings,

CoCo