Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

How do you freshen old dresser drawers?

A friend just gave me a bedroom set (mirror dresser and chest of drawers) that has been in a garage for quite some time. They're old but still in good shape. What's the best way to clean them (the dust is in EVERY nook and cranny) and what can I do to keep my clothes from picking up that stale wood smell? Any suggestions are appreciated.

ps I don't like the smell of cedar, so that's out. I like the smell of lavendar or fresh flowers, just like the laundry soap I use.

Thanks!!

10 Answers

Relevance
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    put some dryer sheets in them and stick them in a warm dry area for a couple of days and febreeze them. or you could stick some regular bar soap in them and let it sit for a couple of days

    good luck!

    Source(s): personal experience
  • meg3f
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    For cleaning the furniture, inside and out I recommend Murphy's Oil Soap. It works great. Just make sure that you rub it all off and it is completely dry before putting any clothes inside.

    Now for the scent. Is there a craft store near you or a place that sells herbs? If not there are plenty of places on line. For the herbs I suggest lavender (since you say you like it), you can use it alone or add sweet woodruff, or rosebuds, some other herbs you could add would be thyme, rosemary, cloves.

    You could mix them all together or any combination, what ever scents you like. Crush them either with a mortar and pestle or you can put them between pieces of plastic wrap and use a rolling pin to crush them.

    If you want you can add a little bit of lavender or rose oil. Adding sandalwood or orris root will help to prolong the scents. Get some small muslin bags to put the herbs in, then spread them throughout your drawers.

    You can also add a bit of lavender oil or other scent to a spritzer with water and just spray the inside of the drawers. I hope this helps some.

    Good luck.

  • 5 years ago

    You can put small containers of baking soda inside the dresser to absorb odors... OR you can stuff the inside drawers with newspaper OR put dryer sheets inside drawers.. You can also take the drawers OUT and air them out OR wipe them down with diluted vinegar/water.... If the dresser is going to be refinished the smell will also go away.. I hope I've given you enough solutions.. Good luck and congrats on the baby !

  • lori s
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Step One: Vacuum any loose dust.

    Step Two : Wash with Murphy Oil Soap

    Step Three: Allow to dry open for Air circulation

    Step Four: If any odor remains put an open box of baking soda in the drawer and close it , leave it for about a week. Repeat step 2-4 if persistant odor.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • 1 decade ago

    Vacuum the drawers out, then line them with something like wrapping paper, or your can buy drawer liners (they're more expensive)

    For the smell, I keep bags of my favorite potpourri in my drawers - it's not as generic smelling as dryer sheets

  • 1 decade ago

    I would first use the vaccum, then wash with Murphy Oil Soap (a liquid found in the cleaning section of the grocery). It is safe for woods. You may even need to use a sealer of some sort--like a varnish--look to see what is available. Yes, laundry sheets (Downy or any of them) but I think you will still have a musty smell. I did.

  • ruthie
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    I would clean the dressers drawers with lemon pledge then I would put in fabric softener sheet in the drawers, keep changing them until the smell goes away. I keep the dryer sheets in my drawers all the time.

    Source(s): Clean Houses
  • 1 decade ago

    try using a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool to get rid of the dust. or maybe use a standard dusting polish and rag.

    as for the smell, put a couple of new drier sheets in the drawer.

  • 1 decade ago

    Try taking them unto the porch, deck or lawn, vaccum them, maybe hose them if they're that bad. Let them dry, febreeze them and then try some dryer sheets when you put them back in or a lavander sachet, or whatever those things are called...

  • 1 decade ago

    place unscented dryer sheets in the drawers

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.