ls stuffy smelling woodeb furniture bad?

[melodybirds]

I looked how to clean it and am grossed out at the smell is bacteria/fungus. Do I chuck or keep? Is it bad to breathe it in?

is this old furniture?

Was it previously in a house that smelled old? Or a kitchen so there might be a film of grease on it? Or was it in a dirty or damp storage area such as a cellar or shed? Or does it smell of cigarettes (vom)?

Is it painted, varnished, French polished, or waxed? This is important because (apart from wax) you can find a cleaner that removes dirt without damaging the original finish, which depends on knowing what it is. Or do you want to sand it off and repaint it?

I bought a Welsh dresser second hand and I absolutely stunk of smoke. I wiped it down and it had like brown Gunky film all over it. Then I wash it down with diluted white vinegar which massively improved it.

It was in someone's garage. I suppose it was dusty and damp. I think it's just painted. It is old furniture yes.

I am going to clean it with vinegar. I just don't know if in this case it's a waste of time. It doesn't smell of smoke just dusty and damp. Do you think it's had it's day?

I'd try to get the dirt off first with WUL and water on a sponge. Keep wringing the sponge out and you will see how much dirt comes off. Paint won't be harmed. Don't actually get the wood wet. You can do it outdoors if a dry day.

If it's greasy you can use white spirit, but paint will be OK with WUL.

Curiously, white spirit doesn't damage French Polish (which is natural beetle lacquer dissolved in meths or other alcohol). I got that from an antiques restorer.

The smell may be worse as it dries off, but then will be improved. Vinegar can help with smells, but is not actually a cleaner, so I'd try to get the dirt off first.

pigletjohn, excuse my ignorance but what is WUL?

ashing
p
iquid

Thanks for advice. Will give it a go and hope for best. Might repaint it after which should help too. :)