How do you freshen old dresser drawers?

A friend just gave me a bedroom set (mirror dresser and chest of drawers) that has been in a garage for quite some time. They're old but still in good shape. What's the best way to clean them (the dust is in EVERY nook and cranny) and what can I do to keep my clothes from picking up that stale wood smell? Any suggestions are appreciated.





ps I don't like the smell of cedar, so that's out. I like the smell of lavendar or fresh flowers, just like the laundry soap I use.





Thanks!!

How do you freshen old dresser drawers?
put some dryer sheets in them and stick them in a warm dry area for a couple of days and febreeze them. or you could stick some regular bar soap in them and let it sit for a couple of days


good luck!
Reply:Try taking them unto the porch, deck or lawn, vaccum them, maybe hose them if they're that bad. Let them dry, febreeze them and then try some dryer sheets when you put them back in or a lavander sachet, or whatever those things are called...
Reply:I would clean the dressers drawers with lemon pledge then I would put in fabric softener sheet in the drawers, keep changing them until the smell goes away. I keep the dryer sheets in my drawers all the time.
Reply:Vacuum the drawers out, then line them with something like wrapping paper, or your can buy drawer liners (they're more expensive)


For the smell, I keep bags of my favorite potpourri in my drawers - it's not as generic smelling as dryer sheets
Reply:For cleaning the furniture, inside and out I recommend Murphy's Oil Soap. It works great. Just make sure that you rub it all off and it is completely dry before putting any clothes inside.


Now for the scent. Is there a craft store near you or a place that sells herbs? If not there are plenty of places on line. For the herbs I suggest lavender (since you say you like it), you can use it alone or add sweet woodruff, or rosebuds, some other herbs you could add would be thyme, rosemary, cloves.


You could mix them all together or any combination, what ever scents you like. Crush them either with a mortar and pestle or you can put them between pieces of plastic wrap and use a rolling pin to crush them.


If you want you can add a little bit of lavender or rose oil. Adding sandalwood or orris root will help to prolong the scents. Get some small muslin bags to put the herbs in, then spread them throughout your drawers.


You can also add a bit of lavender oil or other scent to a spritzer with water and just spray the inside of the drawers. I hope this helps some.


Good luck.
Reply:Step One: Vacuum any loose dust.


Step Two : Wash with Murphy Oil Soap


Step Three: Allow to dry open for Air circulation


Step Four: If any odor remains put an open box of baking soda in the drawer and close it , leave it for about a week. Repeat step 2-4 if persistant odor.
Reply:I would first use the vaccum, then wash with Murphy Oil Soap (a liquid found in the cleaning section of the grocery). It is safe for woods. You may even need to use a sealer of some sort--like a varnish--look to see what is available. Yes, laundry sheets (Downy or any of them) but I think you will still have a musty smell. I did.
Reply:place unscented dryer sheets in the drawers
Reply:try using a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool to get rid of the dust. or maybe use a standard dusting polish and rag.


as for the smell, put a couple of new drier sheets in the drawer.