Furniture and Furnishings - moth ball smell
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laura828828
09-03-02, 01:48 PM
I've inherited a beautiful, carved turn of the century bedroom set. The only problem is that for at least the last 50 years my Aunt has had moth balls in all the drawers. The smell is awful! I have been airing the set out on the porch, but I will have to bring it in soon. Is there anyway to get this smell out of the wood?
George
09-03-02, 05:33 PM
Other readers may have some ideas about removing the smell, but here's a way to seal it in so it's not noticeable.
Put one coat of shellac over the entire interior - inside the drawers (don't forget underneath), and ALL the interior framework.
The odor of mothballs (camphor) penetrates raw wood, but usually not finished. Once the interior raw wood has been sealed with shellac, the odor should disappear.
Put one coat of shellac over the entire interior - inside the drawers (don't forget underneath), and ALL the interior framework.
The odor of mothballs (camphor) penetrates raw wood, but usually not finished. Once the interior raw wood has been sealed with shellac, the odor should disappear.