Smelly dresser drawers can be caused by spills substances transferred from clothing bacteria mold mildew fungi insects and rodents.
Chest of drawers smells musty.
Place a lunchbox sized container of baking soda fresh coffee grounds or cat litter inside for a couple of days with the doors drawers closed then remove the container.
Moisture often finds its way into the drawer usually by means of damp clothing but it may also be the result of spills or humidity.
Maybe it would seal in the smell.
This is a really great little trick for lots of yucky smells.
It s easy to clean disinfect and deodorize the drawers stopping your odor problem once and for all.
Bacteria and mold or mildew are the most common cause of odors.
Cause of musty smells musty smells are the result of mildew in your clothing or in your dresser.
Musty smell still strong.
How to prevent mildew in drawers.
Have you painted inside the drawers.
Step 1 open all of the dresser drawers and leave open for 24 hours.
Thoroughly cleaning the drawers usually solves the issue although very old furniture or items stored in a damp area for a long length of time may require sanding.
Wipe all unvarnished surfaces inside the drawers.
Wet a cloth with the solution and squeeze out any excess moisture.
If you have an old dresser just line the drawers with dryer sheets or if it s a vintage trunk just find a way to stash a few of them inside.
Mildew requires moisture organic dirt and oxygen to grow but doesn t require light.
Scented drawer liners may help but likely clothing will then smell of artificial scent as well as mustiness sorry.
Step 1 use white bread and white vinegar.
Excess moisture results in a musty scent in furniture and the offensive odor tends to concentrate in the drawers which see little air movement or light.
Baking soda or carpet powder.
Again this one is for more mild to moderate smells.
If the odors penetrate wood in a chest of drawers they will be more challenging to eliminate.
It s crucial to deodorize the drawers before using the piece of furniture.
Then if you find the smells remain maybe from mothballs musty or new wood laundry soaps drawer sachets or spilled perfumes work on the drawers to eliminate the odors.
Combine three parts water and one part household bleach if the odor remains.