Featured Perfume in my antique dresser. What to do??

Hello Antiquers! I purchased this sweet Widdicomb highboy a couple of weeks ago. I'm a novice at this, so I've made an error. I gave the dresser the "sniff test" on the outside and in the top drawer to check for cigarette smoke, but I missed the fact that all the lower drawers have a very strong scents of ladies perfume infused into the wood. I could cry. I've tried a couple of things to get the smell out with little effect. I cleaned the inside of the drawers with both soapy water and vinegar water. The scent did get better in the drawers for a day or so but it came back. Since then I've had large activated charcoal pouches in each drawer. The drawers are finished inside but the inside of the frame is raw wood. I have not cleaned the frame yet because I'm concerned about damaging the unfinished wood. I did a little internet research and found that the only sure fix would be to take it to a furniture specialist and have them coat the entire inside with clear polyurethane. That sounds like quite a project considering the inside frame would need to be done in addition to the drawers. There is no scent on the outside.

Any suggestions? Has anyone successfully dealt with this before? Thank you in advance!

 

sell it as crossdresser.

 

Can't help but chuckle over that response!!

 

In the meantime............

Welcome to Antiquers Desiree.

Could you lightly sand the affected area?

 

Try baking soda.

 

baking soda is the usual remedy for offensive pongs as @Houseful said ..

If no-worky, try a towel soaked in white vinegar in a dish

 

I’ve used it for stinky handbags and usually keep a small bowlful in my fridge.

 

An ozone machine would probably work but are dangerous to use, you might check to see if any contractors in your area offer this service.

 

I know the problem. my mother was a staunch believer in Chanel No.5 and the wardrobes still smell of it ten years after she passed away. tried kitty litter stuff, javel etc. to no effect.

 

Fresh air & sunshine?

 

Cat litter works really well, but it MUST be the Fuller's Earth type.

davey, I've things like that. it gets you.

 

I use fresh coffee grounds.

 

Dry white rice takes moisture out of electronics. I also use damprid in my home, its amazing, they also sell a cheaper version of the same thing at some dollar stores, works the same. I put a cup of charcoal briquets in my refrigerator to absorb smells, also put some charcoal pieces in my boyfriends work boots, it works!

 

Welcome Desiree!
I suggest to mix all dry stuff suggested in equal parts and put it on a towel in each smelly drawer
I wouldn't use anything wet

 

Hi Desiree,
All are excellent ideas the best is the Ozone machine. They can be rented for a few days. Just be sure to use it vented to the outside. Should remove the odor in a few hours. A large plastic drop cloth should cover the piece nicely.
greg

 

Agrees, ozone will remove ANY organic odor, period. Thing is, unless familiar with it, i would advise to let a cleaning company handle this for you.

 

I hate to be discouraging (and do try the excellent suggestions above) but have a similar experience. I purchased a Heritage side cabinet 18 years ago, when I got it home realized it had sort of a sweet perfume like smell inside. (I am very sensitive to anything scented). I left doors open, figured with time it would dissipate, and the small cabinet was just for music books, wasn't for clothing. Wound up keeping it, you only notice the perfume when you open the doors, which isn't all that often.

Bad news, it smells exactly the same 18 years later. Of course I didn't try the suggestions above, but would have thought with time it would improve but it really didn't. Just love the look of it, and so have kept it all these years, but when perfume seeps into wood it is hard to get rid of.

Maybe one of the above suggestions will work and be sure to report back if you have success. Wishing you the best of luck.

 

If you try the baking soda, kitty litter or any of those remedies maybe you should go get a big roll( like a yard long) of that furniture wrap stuff and wrap it well with the stuff in drawers. Forget about it for a week then unwrap and air out in front of a fan. Since it was perfume and the alcohol dissipates relatively fast and leaves the oil in the wood. Try what someone suggested before and buy a sanding block and give the drawers at least a good sanding before the process and vacuum out. If none of that works I would put heavy duty liner paper in the drawers with wallpaper liner paper under them and tack well.