I've got a smelly cupboard (not a euphemism)

[downbutnotout]

I recently bought a solid oak dresser base from a local store, but there is an odd smell inside the cupboards and drawers. It's not offensive as such, just not particularly pleasant (to me anyway) and I'm looking for suggestions on how to get rid of/absorb it.

Baking soda is worth a shot

Pot of bicarbonate of soda in it. I keep one permanently in my oak wardrobe and fridge.

if the bicarb doesn't work try putting a dish of vinegar in the cupboard and shutting the door. leave overnight, or for a couple of nights, and the vinegar should absorb the smell.

i have ramekins of vinegar hidden in corners of my living areas - we have a dog and i hate air fresheners. it is amazing the difference the vinegar makes, doesn't smell like a chippy either!

is it "old person smell?" or is it timber/varnish/woodglue? Might be woodworm treatment.

moist-sponge it several times with water and a drop of WUL

Once it is dry and clean, if it still smells, wipe it with a rag barely damp with white spriit (this will also help remove greasy cooking deposits)

pay extra attention to unpainted/unvarnished surfaces like the back, and undersides of drawers.

If you can, carry it outside on a sunny day to air.

Interesting - what is WUL?

Thanks for all the suggestions - tempted now to now to try bicarb in one side and vinegar in the other, and use the white spirit in the drawers so can have a comparison of effectiveness (it's the scientist in me).

It's an odd smell, I can't really put my finger on it but I went back to the shop today today and had a sniff in a few other cupboards (I lead a life of unbridled glamour) and all the oak ones smell the same. Unusual.

*ashing
*p
*iquid

if it's a new item, then I reckon it will be some kind of wood treatment, probably a lacquer or oil, so airing it will help it go faster.

Or is it old?

Oh, I see (re: wul).

No, it's new. I wouldn't have thought it's s wood treatment, but I got a table from them which they treated with danish oil and that doesn't smell. Maybe it'sat the air isn't circulating in the cupboards.

Barbecue charcoal absorbs smells.

Slices of raw onion on a plate should get rid of smell safely overnight.

I reckon its Old Person Smell.

Nope, don't think it's old people. Intrigued by the idea that raw onion will help. Or maybe everything will then smell of onion and I won't notice the original smell?

Don't know why, original tip was to fix paint smell (old gloss type) and have since used it for smelly (currypowder!) cupboard in new house.