Carpentry and Woodworking - Removing mothball odor
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07-29-01, 12:34 PM
I received a previously-owned wooden chest of drawers as a gift. After oiling the drawers with furniture oil, a very powerful mothball odor became apparent. Is there any way to get rid of this smell? The drawers are made out of a lightweight wood - I don't know what kind. Thanks.
Bazooka227
07-31-01, 07:54 AM
Let it air out, leave it open in a well ventilated room for a few days.
George
07-31-01, 06:43 PM
Bazooka's idea may well work, but if it doesn't, this will.
Put a 'wash' coat of shellac on every bit of wood that doesn't already have a finish - inside the drawers, under the drawers, inside the case - everywhere. This will seal the odor INTO the wood where you can't smell it.
A 'wash' coat is shellac mixed 1:3 with denatured alcohol - 1 part shellac to 3 parts alcohol.
Put a 'wash' coat of shellac on every bit of wood that doesn't already have a finish - inside the drawers, under the drawers, inside the case - everywhere. This will seal the odor INTO the wood where you can't smell it.
A 'wash' coat is shellac mixed 1:3 with denatured alcohol - 1 part shellac to 3 parts alcohol.