Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/29/2008

Question
Hello Eileen,  I have two wooden bedframes that were stored in a relative's basement that now have that musty order.  Previous posts all mention wiping the furniture with a bleach solution.  I am worried that will take the finish off the pieces especially since the beds are all exposed wood.  I used a furniture cleaner (Homer Formsby) but the order lingers.  Is there a better solution?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Gayenell
Nice to hear from you.
This smell can be miserable to get rid of.
I am going to agree that I would be slightly leary about using the bleach directly on finished surfaces.
I usually recommend all unfinished areas of old furniture be washed with a mild bleach solution.
In the case of your beds, they are mostly finished wood.
I don't feel it would remove the finish but it could cloud it.
Personally I would slightly damper a rag with mineral spirits and wipe the beds down.
This will also remove any dirt.
The spirits smell strong too but that will go away.
After the cleaning, a nice waxing.
And sunshine and fresh air are the very best solution to getting rid of this smell.
Once the beds are in the right enviourment they will eventually lose the smell too.
Great Question
Regards
Eileen