Furniture and Furnishings - smoke odor removal furniture

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lizalex
08-03-02, 06:35 AM
I am trying to live with my mother's furniture after she smoked heavily for 50 years. I need a solution to removing the smoke odor from the inside of oak dressers. It is so strong I cannot put my clothing into the drawers and then wear them. Thank you for any help you can give me.

George
08-03-02, 10:11 AM
The easiest solution is to apply a coat of shellac to all the interior woodwork - inside and outside the drawers (except for the face) as well as ALL the interior framework; the smoke odor will be there, too.
twelvepole
08-05-02, 03:32 PM
Remove drawers from cabinet box. Wipe all wood surfaces with denatured alcohol, including the interior of the cabinet box. If the odor persists, seal as suggested.

George
08-05-02, 03:52 PM
Twelvepole has a good idea...with one caveat.

Many drawer interiors are finished with lacquer which may be marred by an application of denatured alcohol.
twelvepole
08-05-02, 04:06 PM
I once read that antique dealers used vodka. Would that harm the finish, George?
lizalex
08-05-02, 06:36 PM
George, thank you for the help. I have not had the time to try it, but will in the near future. And I have tried the denatured alcohol to no avail.
George
08-06-02, 05:26 PM
Twelvepole - sounds like a terrible waste of good booze, and yes, it could harm the finish.

While the shellac contains denatured alcohol, with that you're adding a finish over the current one. Lacquer and shellac are compatible. While you're not actually getting rid of the odor IN the wood, you are sealing it in where it's no longer offensive.
twelvepole
08-07-02, 06:52 PM
Thanks, George, for the tip.