How To Get Smells Out of Wood Furniture: 10 Methods

Thrifting furniture is a total joy because you can find beautiful, unique pieces for impressive prices. However, those pieces often need a little TLC. If you bring home wood furniture that smells stinky, musty, or moldy, don’t panic. That is normal for older items and usually isn’t a massive cause for concern.

You still want to know how to get smells out of wood furniture so you can actually bring it inside. We have super handy tips for removing these odors using 10 different methods. Before you know it, your wooden furniture will smell as good as new.

How To Get Smells Out of Wood Furniture

The first method you want to try is airing out the wood and cleaning it with vinegar. This is the most effective and easiest method for general “old furniture” smells. Plus, vinegar is acidic enough to kill mold and mildew spores on the surface.

• Time: 30 minutes (plus waiting time).
• Difficulty: Easy.

What You’ll Need

• Distilled white vinegar.
• Small bowls or containers.
• Water.
• Spray bottle (optional).
• Microfiber cloths.

1. Air the Furniture Out

Take the furniture to a breezy spot, such as your garden, a porch, or near a wide-open window. Give it as long as possible to breathe. Around 12 hours is best.

Make sure it is not a rainy or humid day, as wood is porous and will absorb that moisture, which could lead to warping or more musty smells.

2. Clean With Vinegar

Vinegar is a powerhouse for neutralizing odors. The easiest way to apply it is by filling a spray bottle with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. Spritz the wood lightly and wipe it down well with a microfiber cloth.

If you do not have a spray bottle, fill a bowl with that same 1:1 solution. Dampen your microfiber cloth in the mix, wring it out until it is just damp, and wipe down every inch of the wood.

3. Dry the Wood

Moisture is the enemy of vintage wood. Take a separate, dry microfiber cloth and soak up any wet vinegar residue immediately.

4. Set Up Vinegar Bowls

If a surface wipe didn’t do the trick, use vinegar to absorb airborne odors. Fill a few small containers with distilled white vinegar.

Place them around or inside the wooden furniture. If you are trying to deodorize a dresser, place one container of vinegar inside each drawer. Close the drawers and let them sit for 24 hours. Afterward, toss the vinegar and wash the bowls.

How To Get Tough Smells Out of Wood Furniture

If the odors are not disappearing with the vinegar trick, you likely have stubborn, deep-set smells. This happens if there was a spill, the furniture was stored in a damp basement, or it was owned by a heavy smoker.

We have extra methods to try below. These work wonderfully for removing specific types of odors. Give one a go, and if that doesn’t work, move on to the next hack until your furniture is stink-free.

With Dryer Sheets

This method works great for lingering odors that keep coming back. Simply line the wooden furniture drawers or shelves with dryer sheets. If you have a trunk, stash a few sheets inside and close the lid.

Leave them in the furniture for at least 24 hours. You can also leave them there long-term to combat odors as they happen, just remember to swap them out for fresh sheets every few weeks.

With Baking Soda

Baking soda is famous for absorbing smells and moisture. Fill a bowl with baking soda and pop it inside the furniture. This works best with drawers, cabinets, or trunks. If you have open tables or chairs, you can create a paste with water and baking soda, apply it to the wood (test a small spot first), let it sit, and wipe it off.

For the dry bowl method, leave the baking soda inside for a couple of days. If the smell persists, swap it out for fresh powder and repeat the process for one week.

With Murphy’s Oil

Murphy’s Oil soap wood cleaner is a classic for a reason. It is super effective for cleaning all types of wood, including finished and unfinished surfaces, and leaves a pleasant citronella scent.

To use, follow these instructions:

1. Dilute: Mix about ½ cup of Murphy’s Oil per gallon of water.
2. Apply: Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution. Wring it out well so it is damp, not dripping, and wipe down the wood.
3. Wipe: Take a separate dry cloth and wipe away any excess moisture. There is no need to rinse Murphy’s Oil.

With Vodka

Cheap vodka is a surprisingly good odor neutralizer. The alcohol kills bacteria and evaporates quickly, taking the bad smells with it. Fill a spray bottle with plain vodka and mist the wood, inside and out. Leave the piece in a breezy or sunny spot to completely air dry.

With Enzyme Cleaners

If the smell is biological, such as old pet urine or sweat, standard cleaners might not work. An enzyme cleaner breaks down the proteins causing the smell. Look for a product specifically safe for wood floors or furniture. Spray it on, let it sit for the recommended time to “eat” the odor-causing bacteria, and wipe it away.

By Sanding and Sealing

If nothing else works, the smell is likely trapped deep in the wood pores or the old finish. You might have to remove the odors by stripping and sanding the furniture. Just note that after sanding the wood back, you must reseal it to lock out future moisture.

This method is the gold standard for cigarette smoke or heavy mold damage.

Here is how to remove odors from wood furniture by sanding and sealing:

1. Prepare your workspace: Work in a well-ventilated area (garage or outside). Wear a face mask, safety glasses, and gloves.
2. Wash and dry: Clean the wood with soapy water and dry it thoroughly with a cloth.
3. Apply stain remover: If your piece has a finish, use a stripper or refinisher like Minwax Antique Furniture Refinisher. Pour it into a metal or glass container and apply thick, even layers with a natural bristle brush. Work in small sections.
4. Wait and scrape: Let the remover sit for the recommended time (usually 30 minutes). When it bubbles, scrape it off with a plastic scraper. Use steel wool to remove stubborn bits, moving with the grain.
5. Clean up: Wipe the wood with a damp cloth to remove the chemical residue and let it dry for 24 hours.
6. Sand the wood: Start with low-grit sandpaper (around 100) to remove excess paint or stain. Wipe away dust. Move up to 180-grit sandpaper, always sanding in the direction of the grain until smooth.
7. Vacuum dust: Use a handheld vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove every speck of dust.
8. Air it out again: Leave the raw wood in a breezy spot for 12 hours. This releases trapped odors from the now-open pores.
9. Seal the wood: Apply your chosen sealer (polyurethane, shellac, or varnish) with a clean brush. Move quickly along the grain. Ensure you seal the “end grain” (the cut ends of the boards) as this is where wood absorbs the most odor.
10. Dry and sand: Let the sealer dry completely. Lightly sand with fine-grit paper (220 or higher) to smooth it out, then wipe clean.
11. Repeat: Add a second or third coat of sealer if necessary for a smooth, protected finish.

With Other Deodorizers

While the methods above are the heavy hitters, there are some other household items you can try. These are particularly useful if you want a passive method that works while you sleep.

• Kitty Litter: Clean clay kitty litter is designed to absorb moisture and smells. Place a container of it inside drawers or cabinets and leave it for 24 hours.
• Coffee Grounds: Nitrogen in coffee helps neutralize odors. Place dry used coffee grounds (or fresh ones) in bowls and set them inside the furniture. Remove them after 24 hours so they don’t get moldy.
• Charcoal: Activated charcoal is naturally absorbent. You can use charcoal bags or briquettes (without lighter fluid). Place the charcoal in a bowl inside the furniture and leave it overnight or longer.
• Newspaper: Crumple up black-and-white newspaper and stuff it into drawers or cabinets. Charcoal ink and paper absorb smells. Close the drawers and leave the paper for a few days. This works best for mild musty odors.

What Can I Put In My Drawers To Make Them Smell Nice?

Removing the bad odors is step one. Step two is ensuring your wooden furniture maintains a pleasant scent. This helps combat that “old wood” smell that tends to return in humid weather.

You have a few great options:

• Recycle dryer sheets: As mentioned, dryer sheets are great odor blockers. After you run a load of laundry, save the used sheet and tuck it into the back of a drawer.
• Drawer sachets: Drawer sachets filled with lavender or cedar keep things smelling fresh. Cedar has the added bonus of repelling moths.
• Scented drawer liners: These protect the wood from ink or makeup spills while releasing a subtle perfume onto your clothes.
• Essential oils: Place 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (like lemon or eucalyptus) on a cotton ball or washcloth and hide it in the corner of a drawer.
• Bar of soap: This is an old-school trick that works. Wrap a bar of strong-smelling soap in a paper towel and place it in your drawers for long-lasting freshness.

FAQs

Does Wood Furniture Absorb Smells?

Yes, wood is naturally porous, meaning it acts like a hard sponge. It will easily absorb smells from smoke, pets, cooking, and mildew. You can avoid this by sealing the wood properly with polyurethane or shellac.

Don’t confuse a wood sealer with wood varnish. While varnish provides a glossy finish, a sealer penetrates the grain to block odors. If you plan to varnish, always seal the wood first.

How Do You Get the Formaldehyde Smell Out of Wood Furniture?

New furniture often releases a chemical smell known as off-gassing. This comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde used in glues and finishes.

The best cure is time and airflow. Put the furniture in a garage or near an open window with a fan blowing across it. Heat helps release the gas faster, so a warm room with good ventilation is ideal. You can also try wiping it down with our vinegar solution to help surface odors, but the gas needs to dissipate on its own, which can take a few weeks.

Top Tip

If you are sensitive to chemicals, look for “Greenguard Gold” certified furniture, or buy vintage solid wood pieces that have already done all their off-gassing decades ago.

What Is the Best Natural Wood Cleaner?

In our home, we make our own simple cleaner. Combine one cup of water with one cup of distilled white vinegar. Shake it up well and add one tablespoon of olive oil, which acts as a moisturizer and polish.

This is an excellent wood cleaner for both light dusting and heavier grime.

Does Steaming Furniture Remove Odors?

Yes, steam effectively kills bacteria and removes odors from fabric upholstery. However, you should never steam clean solid wood furniture. The intense heat and moisture can cause the wood to swell, warp, crack, and lose its finish. Stick to dry or slightly damp cleaning methods for wood.

Does Vinegar Damage Wood Cabinets?

Diluted distilled white vinegar is generally safe for sealed wood. We use it frequently and love the results. However, vinegar is an acid. If you use it undiluted, or if you scrub too hard, it can dull the finish over time. Always wipe with the grain and dry the wood immediately after cleaning.

Can I Use Bleach to Clean Wood Furniture?

We generally advise against using chlorine bleach on wood furniture to remove odors. While it kills mold, bleach disrupts the wood fibers and can leave the wood looking bleached or blotchy. It can also interfere with future stains or sealers. Vinegar or a specialized wood enzyme cleaner are much safer options.

Fresh Wood Furniture

When you bring home a stinky piece of wood furniture, don’t sweat it. Whether the piece is brand new or an antique find, start by airing it out for 12 hours. Follow that up with a good wipe-down using our vinegar method.

If the smell persists, you have plenty of backup options like Murphy Oil, baking soda, enzyme cleaners, or even charcoal.

For the toughest cases, you might need to sand the piece back to raw wood and reseal it. This is often necessary for cigarette smoke trapped deep in the pores. Just remember, if the wood is soft and rotting, no amount of cleaning will help; you will need to replace the damaged sections.