How to get rid of 'old' smell in larder?

[Honey1975]

We've recently moved house and the kitchen has an old fashioned kind of larder, basically a slim cupboard built into the wall with various shelves at different heights.
My mum had one when I was little and I remember her getting so much food in it so i thought I would love it.

But, it smells. Hard to descibe of what. Just a musty kind of old smell & probably a build up of having years of food stored in it. I just don't like it. It's dark, needs a light, cold and smells. The space however is very handy but I just don't like using it.

Has anyone else had a larder like this? What can I do to make it smell better? Thinking perhaps we should paint it to freshen it up but it won't be the easiest thing to paint.

Paint is the only thing. I've lived in enough old houses to have learned that all the cleaning products in the world won't get rid of that smell.

You don't need to do a really good job of it...just cover it up. Especially in the corners.

Ok thanks MrsOver I think you're right. Will add that to the to do list!

You could try a jar/bowel with bicarbonate soda with a few drops essential oils in it. Give it a stir every few days to re release the essential oil smell. Change the bicarb once a month or so. You only need about 2tbl spoons and the oil is not essential.

The bicarbonate soda draws in the bad smells just leaving your choice of essential oil.

I have one of these discreetly placed in every room and find it's the best (cheapest) air freshener going. 👍