How to Get the Musty Smell Out of Old Furniture
A musty smell in vintage or thrifted furniture comes from years in a damp basement or storage, where moisture and sometimes mildew soaked into the wood and fabric. Clean it, air it out thoroughly, and treat the wood and fabric, and it freshens.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why old furniture smells musty
Furniture stored in damp basements or attics absorbs moisture and mildew, and the musty smell lives in the porous wood, the drawers, and any upholstery. It is slow to leave because it has soaked in deep.
The fix is controlling that moisture and airing the piece out, since the EPA's household mold guide ties musty smells to mildew and damp. Cleaning the surfaces goes only so far without that.
How to freshen it, step by step
- Clean all surfaces. Wipe the wood with a barely damp cloth and a mild cleaner or vinegar-and-water solution, including inside drawers and hidden areas.
- Air it out. Set it outside in the sun and breeze for a day or several, keeping delicate finishes and fabric out of strong sun. This does the most for a musty smell.
- Use absorbers in enclosed parts. Place bowls of baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds inside drawers and cabinets, closed up, for several days.
- Treat the upholstery. Vacuum, deodorize with baking soda, and spot-clean fabric, using a fabric-safe mildew treatment for heavy cases, then dry it fully.
- Seal stubborn wood. For wood that still smells, a coat of shellac or sealant on interior surfaces can lock in the odor.
Sunlight and fresh air are the real workhorses. A few days outdoors clears most of the mustiness that no amount of surface wiping will.
Keep it from coming back
Keep the piece somewhere dry, and air out the drawers periodically.
Do not store it back in a damp basement, and address any moisture source in the room.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the musty furniture handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your home, Touch Grass fits well. It is earthy and green, with fig, black currant, and cedarwood, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a musty smell out of old furniture?
Clean the surfaces, air the piece outside for a few days, and use absorbers like baking soda or charcoal inside the drawers. Seal the wood if the smell persists.
Why does thrifted furniture smell musty?
It usually spent time in a damp basement or storage, where moisture and mildew soaked into the wood and fabric.
Does sealing the wood really help?
Yes, for wood that still smells after cleaning and airing. A coat of shellac or sealant on interior surfaces traps the remaining odor.
How do I clean musty drawers?
Wipe them out, air them, and set an open container of baking soda or charcoal inside the closed drawer for several days.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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