How to Remove Musty Odor from Furniture

How to Remove Musty Odor from Furniture

Have you ever been hit by a strange and musty odor when you open your cabinet or when you sit on your favorite couch? It’s the kind of smell that immediately makes your space feel unclean or neglected, and no amount of air freshener can seem to help you get rid of it. Unfortunately, musty odors can linger in your furniture for years if left untreated. We understand that it may frustrate you and make your home feel less inviting.

As you might have often observed, old furniture or those in damp environments can develop musty odors. It can make them feel unusable. But read this blog before you consider throwing out your wood dresser or your grandma’s hand-me-down chair. In this blog, we’ll list down proven ways to remove musty odor from furniture and help you breathe easier in your home.

Let’s get started! 

Why Does Furniture Smell Musty?

Before we dive into the methods, let’s first understand why your furniture develops that musty smell in the first place. In most cases, musty odors are a result of moisture getting trapped in materials like fabric, leather, or wood. This creates the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, or bacteria in your furniture. This is especially common in humid environments or homes that have been left unoccupied for some time. Musty smells can also be caused by dust accumulation or the natural aging process of materials like wood.

10 Ways to Remove Musty Odor from Furniture

 

1. Wipe and Clean Your Furniture

One reason why your furniture is developing a musty odor is because of bacteria and germs that seep through the porous wood. To eliminate this smell, you need to kill the bacteria and germs by cleaning the inside of the drawers and all surfaces. You can do this with the help of a sponge dampened with vinegar, Murphy’s Oil Wood Soap, or any anti-fungal detergent. This not only helps you clean the surface but also disinfects it. Once you’ve cleaned, let the furniture dry completely in a well-ventilated area. This simple step can drastically reduce the musty odor in your furniture. 

2. Air It Out in Fresh Air and Sunlight

One of the simplest ways for you to remove musty odor from furniture is to place it outdoors in fresh air and direct sunlight. Fresh air will help you neutralize its odor, while sunlight acts as a natural disinfectant that can kill mold and mildew on the wood. Just make sure to avoid overexposing it to the sunlight as it might fade some fabrics or wood finishes. If your furniture still smells after airing out, you should consider using a dehumidifier in your room. This step can especially be effective if you live in a humid environment. 

3. Use Vinegar and Other Odor-Absorbing Substances

As you might know, vinegar is one of the most effective natural odor neutralizers. Therefore, to eliminate any musty smells from your furniture, you can fill a plastic or glass container with vinegar and place it inside each drawer or compartment of your furniture. Then, close the drawers and let them sit for a few days to allow the vinegar to absorb the odor. Other odor-absorbing substances that you can use to eliminate that unpleasant smell are charcoal, coffee grounds, kitty litter, or baking soda. These can work just as well to solve your issue. These materials are known to draw out the odor, which leaves your furniture smelling fresh.  

4. Baking Soda To The Rescue 

Another way to get rid of that unpleasant musty odor in your furniture is to use baking soda. Baking soda is a household staple that works wonders for absorbing unwanted odors. Try sprinkling baking soda generously over your fabric or wooden furniture and let it sit for several hours, or even overnight if possible. For wooden furniture, gently rub the baking soda onto its surface and wait for it to start working. 

This method is particularly useful if you’re wondering how to get musty smell out of furniture without using harsh chemicals. The best part is that baking soda is natural, effective, and easy to find!

5. Use Activated Charcoal To Remove Deep Odors 

Another way to eliminate musty odors from your furniture is to use activated charcoal. Unlike baking soda, which absorbs surface-level smells, activated charcoal goes deep into the materials of your furniture to neutralize strong odors. We’d recommend you place charcoal bags inside your drawers, cabinets, or on the surface of the furniture for several days. This is an especially good technique if you need to remove smell from wood furniture that has been in a humid or damp environment.

6. Deep Clean Upholstered Furniture with Fabric Cleaner

If your upholstered furniture has been smelling musty for a long time, it might be time for you to deep clean it. You should start by vacuuming your furniture thoroughly in order to remove dust and debris from its surface. Then, the next step would be to use a fabric cleaner suitable for your furniture’s material so that you can shampoo the upholstery. If you’re looking for a natural alternative, you can also mix a few drops of essential oil with water and a mild detergent. This approach will not only help you remove the odor but will also leave your furniture smelling fresh. 

7. Strip and Sand the Wood If The Odors Are Deeply Embedded in Your Furniture

For those of you who are wondering how do you get the old smell out of furniture, you need to know that sometimes the odors can get deeply embedded in the wood finish itself. In that case, you should consider stripping down the old finish and sanding down the wood. This may be your best option to tackle this particular scenario. It helps you remove the top layer where odors are generally trapped. After sanding, you can use an odor-absorbing substance like baking soda or charcoal which will help you eliminate any remaining smell in your furniture. Just make sure to refinish the wood to protect it once the odor is gone.

8. Use Bleach or Vodka for Disinfection

Next, bleach and vodka can be effective disinfectants that help you get rid of those musty smells coming from your furniture. Start by filling a spray bottle with either bleach or inexpensive vodka and lightly mist the entire piece of furniture, inside and out with it. This will disinfect and eliminate the odors in your furniture at the same time. Once you apply it, allow your furniture to dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area or if possible, you can also place it in the sunshine. This is an excellent way to remove musty odor from wood furniture while also disinfecting it.

9. Use a Commercial Odor Neutralizer

If natural solutions aren’t working fast enough for you, you should consider using commercial odor neutralizers to get rid of that unwanted musty odor in your furniture. You should look for products that are designed specifically to tackle musty smells in furniture. There are tons of sprays, powders, and even odor-absorbing bags that can help you fight the unpleasant smell. Just be sure to choose a product that is safe for the material of your furniture.

10. Try Essential Oils If You Like Fresh Scents 

If you’re a fan of fresh scents, this method can be your favorite one. Using essential oils can also help you successfully grapple with that unpleasant smell coming from your furniture. Lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon essential oils are particularly effective at masking any remaining smells. Add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle of water and lightly mist your furniture. We’re sure you’re going to love it! 

This method won’t necessarily remove smell from wood, but it will make your home feel fresher while you continue working on other techniques to fight with that unwanted musty odor. 

FAQs

What kills musty smell?

Several methods can help you kill a musty smell, with the most effective being exposure to sunlight and fresh air, baking soda, and white vinegar. These substances neutralize the odor-causing bacteria or mold. This helps you get rid of the smell entirely rather than just masking it. 

What to put on furniture to take away the smell?

If you’re wondering how to get rid of musty smell in furniture, you can use natural remedies like baking soda, activated charcoal, or white vinegar to eliminate odors from furniture. For fabric furniture, fabric cleaners or essential oils can also help you neutralize the smell while also leaving behind a pleasant scent.

What is a homemade musty odor eliminator?

You can make a homemade musty odor eliminator by using common household items like baking soda or white vinegar. Both of these ingredients work to neutralize odors at the source. You can also make a spray by mixing water with a few drops of essential oil and white vinegar to mist on the furniture.This is a great option if you like fresh scents. 

Maintaining a Fresh Environment

To prevent musty odors from returning, it’s essential for you to maintain a clean and dry environment. We recommend you regularly clean your furniture and avoid placing it in damp or humid areas, if possible. You can also consider taking professional services if you’re looking for long-term solutions to maintain your furniture. 

If you’re dealing with musty-smelling furniture in your vacation home, check out our vacation home cleaning services to ensure your furniture stays fresh and odor-free year-round.

Conclusion

Musty odors don’t have to be a permanent part of your furniture. If you use the correct methods, you can remove musty odor from furniture and enjoy a fresh, clean living space once again. Whether you’re tackling the problem with natural solutions like baking soda and white vinegar or investing in commercial odor eliminators, you should act quickly and keep the furniture dry.

If you’re wondering how to remove musty odor from wood furniture or how to get smell out of wood, these tips will help restore your furniture’s original freshness. Feel free to reach out to our experts to help you remove odor from wood in your furniture so that it looks new.  

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on maintaining a fresh and clean home!

LATEST POSTS
MOST POPULAR