Just wondering if anyone here has any experience with antique furniture. We bought a dresser last week and love it. I want to buy something similar however, the piece I like smells musty when you open the drawers. Any suggestions on how to get the smell out? I thought maybe putting a piece of cedar in the drawer might help, but I don't want to buy something only to find out later that there is no way to get rid of the smell.

By Colette on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 01:01 pm:

put it in outside on a nice sunny day and air it out. Take the drawers out of the dresser and air them out too. I know I have some other tricks but my mind is a blank right now. Will post later if I remember.

By Yjja123 on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 02:42 pm:

A few ideas:
~Put charcoal in the drawers and let it sit for a few days. Replace a few times if needed.
~Spray the inside with "Febreeze" and close it up for a few days, then put an open container of baking soda inside and leave it for a week.
~Place an open container of coffee grounds inside for a week, follow with baking soda.
~ A fresh coat of shellac will seal it so you won't have that problem again

By Yjja123 on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 02:43 pm:

Enjoy your antique furniture! I love antiques and 90% of my furniture is antique because they do not make them like they used to (solid wood, dovetail, etc)

By Chai~latte on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 07:33 am:

After letting it air out in the sun for a few days and then in the garage we decided to spray the interior with shellac. No more smell.

Thanks so much for all the ideas!

By Yjja123 on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 09:55 am:

Glad it worked out for you. Enjoy your dresser!

By Bea on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 11:51 am:

When I buy any antique furniture that has drawers or shelves, I wipe the inside surfaces with a slightly damp cloth dipped in Pine Sol and water. It helps to freshen the piece, and kill any nasty stuff that may be inside. If it continues to smell musty, I pack the spaces with crumpled newspapers for a week. I add old fashioned lavender sachets when I put clothes or linens inside.

I'd love to see a picture of your new/old dresser.

By Chai~latte on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 01:09 pm:

My mother suggested vinegar but I didn't get a chance to try it. DH came home with the shellac and went to town!

I hope I can figure out how to post pictures, here we go:


This is early 1900s


Pine piece late 1800s


Alder/Ash I think but looks like pine
Late 1800s
I think I got a really good deal on this one, I found it in a junk shop refinished for only $250.

By Chai~latte on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 01:23 pm:

Well that didn't work, I'll try one more time.

This is early 1900s


Pine piece late 1800s


Alder/Ash I think but looks like pine
Late 1800s

I think I got a really good deal on this one, I found it in a junk shop refinished for only $250.

By Bea on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 07:49 pm:

They are beautiful. I especially love the carved pulls on the first chest. Are you a collector?

By Chai~latte on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 10:09 pm:

Not really, but with 3 pieces now I guess we are. LOL

We will eventually replace all of our contemporary furniture with antiques. We have a wonderful market near our home and live in a small city that is in the heart of farm country so there are a lot of old farm houses full of old furniture. As those farms are sold to make way for new housing developments there will be more deals to be had.

I also received a beautiful antique bed from Freecycle. The foot board is large enough for a head board so each child will get a piece once I get a chance to refinish it. Once they are grown I will be able to put the bed back together for the guest room.

It's a fun hobby and the furniture just seems to be built so much better than new stuff today.