Our house has oak cabinets in the kitchen. It is not particle board. There is a strange smell like "old" wood if that makes sense, coming from all the cabinets. It doesn't smell like mildew and I've checked the flooring below and it's fine, no signs of water damage. Any ideas to clean this or get rid of the smell?
By anna from WI
I think I know what you mean. I bought a sideboard at an auction sale that had an "old" smell. I used dishes of baking soda, coffee grounds, and put in eucalyptus. I wasn't really happy with any of those, but they all helped. Additionally, I would try activated charcoal, and maybe washing out the inside with baking soda and water, or perhaps vinegar and water. (Don't mix the two.) Eventually, I re-sold the sideboard, so it became some one else's problem.
Try siting a few dishes of vinegar in the cabinets, or, polish them inside and out with a very good lemon furniture polish or oil.
I had the same problem and I sprinkled baking soda on the floor of the cabinets and left it there for a month or more. You can wipe it out and add more if you still notice the smell.
We bought a home built in 1978 and had the same problem. Since there were many cabinets the cost of replacement was out of the question. I used a 10% bleach to 80% water spray to clean them out. After letting them dry thoroughly (overnight) I painted them with a high gloss paint no primer needed. I recommend using two coats. The cabinets smell fresh and look nice inside.
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I moved into an old house and I washed my cabinets out and lined the shelf and add the dishes. When I get out a bowl or cup it smells like old wood. I can't stand to drink from a cup. What can I do? Thank you.
By Darla
Try putting down stick on laminate tiles. I used the cheap ones with a glossy finish. They might block the smell from coming through and they're very easy to clean.
There's something you can get at Staples called "Air Sponge." It's just a canister. You remove the lid and put it in the cabinet and it helps remove the odor.
There was a really bad odor from my kitchen and I couldn't find out where it was from. Until one day, I found out that I had some rotten onion inside the cupboard, under the stove.
Try using some vinegar to wash it with, leaving some in the wood (not wiping it totally dry). If that doesnt' work, try sealing the wood with varnish, top and bottom side.
You need to get an oxygen based cleaner. It's natural & it will kill any odor, even in wood.
How do you get rid of rat odor or the smell of the poop that has been removed? The smell is where my cooking pans and cake dishes are stored and in the drawers. I have tried all the different refreshing sprays. I have even used bleach in the drawers, under the last drawer, and even on the shelves that are connected to the drawers. I wash the shelves, walls, and drawers. Nothing is helping. Someone help please?
By Georgett
Take the drawer out of the cabinet and sit it outside in the sun. I had to do this with some wood working boards and it works. Murphy's oil soap may take care of the other smell.
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I've been in my home for almost two years. The house is about 13 years old. But there is a unpleasant odor when I open my kitchen cabinets.
