Any tips for taking away smoke type smell from wooden beech unit?

sunni

Hello

I bought a lovely wooden beech unit (drawers in middle and a door each side) in a charity shop as it looked in great condition.

However, after bringing it home and opening the drawers and doors there's a smoke type smell? It's quite a strong odour and wondering if anyone has any tips on what I could use to take the smell away?

It looks in great condition hence this smoke type smell?

sunni

Cornucopia

Is the smell coming from the varnished or unvarnished parts?

For the varnished parts, I'd suggest Teak Oil - it cleans wood quite deeply and has a relatively strong smell of its own (disappears after a few days).

sunni

Cornucopia wrote: »

Is the smell coming from the varnished or unvarnished parts?

For the varnished parts, I'd suggest Teak Oil - it cleans wood quite deeply and has a relatively strong smell of its own (disappears after a few days).

I think its the unvarnished parts Cornucopia. It's a beech effect unit and it's a strong smoke type smell inside.

[Deleted User]

a sprinkle of bicarb perhaps that usually absorbs strong smells

sunni

JackieO wrote: »

a sprinkle of bicarb perhaps that usually absorbs strong smells

Might try that Jackie. Was thinking on maybe painting it inside to see if it takes the smell away? Anyone any views on that?

katkin

Sunni could it be glue or some type of varnish / seal coating inside the drawers that's making it smell?

I'd be tempted to wash them out with a bleach solution, dry and air them outside if you can. Then sprinkle with bicarb with some drops of essential oils such as lavender. After that line with paper and more essential oil.

Hope you can get rid of it, it would be a pity to spoil the enjoyment of such a bargain.

sunni

katkin wrote: »

Sunni could it be glue or some type of varnish / seal coating inside the drawers that's making it smell?

I'd be tempted to wash them out with a bleach solution, dry and air them outside if you can. Then sprinkle with bicarb with some drops of essential oils such as lavender. After that line with paper and more essential oil.

Hope you can get rid of it, it would be a pity to spoil the enjoyment of such a bargain.

Doesn't smell like glue or varnish, more like strong smoke smell!

It looks lovely katkin from outside but just this problem with smell when you open the drawers & doors!

I'll maybe try the bicarb later. A friend suggested sugar soap so must google it!

Witless

Having dropped a tray of eggs on the back seat of the car - 3 broken onto the seat, 9 cracked - I recommend bicarb in conjunction with a raw onion cut in half: that will eliminate almost any odour.

I used a full bag on the back seat and a large onion but for smaller volumes you probably could get away with less (your unit will be a lot smaller than the cabin of my car).

As an aside - if you ever want (need?) to lift a broken raw egg cover it with heaped salt which will absorb the liquid allowing you to rmove it with a minimum of mess.

Witless

... to add ... I wouldn't paint it until you get it moderately smell free. Once dry a cut onion will also remove the smell of fresh paint.

(Some recommend chopped onion to increase the active surface area but I always just cut in half and leave until it has dried out: compared to the cost of commercial products to mask/remove that don't really work the cost of an onion that does work is minimal - posh spray £3-£4, large onion 25p-35p.)

sunni

Witless wrote: »

Having dropped a tray of eggs on the back seat of the car - 3 broken onto the seat, 9 cracked - I recommend bicarb in conjunction with a raw onion cut in half: that will eliminate almost any odour.

I used a full bag on the back seat and a large onion but for smaller volumes you probably could get away with less (your unit will be a lot smaller than the cabin of my car).

As an aside - if you ever want (need?) to lift a broken raw egg cover it with heaped salt which will absorb the liquid allowing you to rmove it with a minimum of mess.

Well I've done the vinegar, put on bicarb last night and will hoover it off later but still finding the smell, might be time to add in the onions :T

katkin

sunni wrote: »

Well I've done the vinegar, put on bicarb last night and will hoover it off later but still finding the smell, might be time to add in the onions :T

I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes, best of luck. After the onion treatment will you go for essential oils or some other fragrance?

Do you think febreze would help?