Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Tea Caddy

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Expert: - 8/16/2006


Question
Hello again and thanks for your previous answer.  I am now
wondering how I can make the tea caddy usable again.  It smells
slightly musty and I had hoped that having the silver lining restored
would take care of that.

Do you know how to get old smells out of wood, is it just a
question of leaving it open for a while?  Also, what is the best way
to clean it (it is mahogany wood)?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Again Jenny
Yes as you say airing helps, and also a wash with a mild household bleach solution.
Just damp rag the caddy so it does not get too wet.
After that a cotton ball dipped in vanilla will be good too.
I would not use the bleach on the outside of the caddy.
Just a bit of dish soap in water.
Is there any way you could get a plastic container inside the caddy to hold the tea? These tea caddys have a lead lining that is very dangerous which I neglected to mention before.
Good luck
Regards
Eileen

Collectibles-General (Antiques)

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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

I can answer most questions about the repairing and refinishing of all your old furniture items (the things we call antiques). I can also give you advice on what wood items to choose and what wood items to avoid at auctions, flea markets etc. I DO NOT give appraisals on antiques as this is not my field of expertise.

Experience

I have been repairing, refinishing and of course buying old furniture for the past 30 years. On any given weekend I can be found at auction sales or flea markets searching out a good buy. I have taken several courses in this area over the years, but I find "Hands On" learning to be the best teacher. I can help you avoid the pitfalls and problems of this wonderful rewarding craft.

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