Mothball Smell Out of Cedar Chest

How can I remove the smell of moth repellent from an old cedar chest? I have tried sanding it down, wiping it with vinegar, setting it out in the sun, wadding up newspaper to absorb the odor and many other things as well. Nothing has diminished the smell. I love the chest, but I don't want anything I place in it to smell like moth balls! Please help. Thanks in advance.

By Laurie from Waldo, ME

Answers: Mothball Smell Out of Cedar Chest

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By 03/12/2011

Make sure it is a mothball odor and not the natural cedar the chest is made of. If it is the natural cedar, you won't be able to get rid of the smell unless you cover all of it with polyurethane. Good luck. 8)

By 03/09/2011

I would use baking soda, but don't just open the boxes and put those in the chest. I would dump them inside the chest and after a couple of weeks I would vacuum it out. Then you can proceed with sanding if necessary.

By 09/08/2005

How do you remove the scent of mothballs from an old cedar chest?

Rad

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Moth Ball Odor in Blanket Chest

How do I get rid of moth ball smell in a blanket chest? It is part cedar and part particle board. I did not want to damage the wood, so I have just been airing out the chest when the weather is nice.

By Donna

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By karinsusann 08/10/2011

Try a bowl of vinegar or coffee beans. The acidity should take care of the smell.

Mothball Smell Out of Cedar Chest

We received a family cedar chest that can't be used because of an awful smell of mothballs. Why would anyone put mothballs in a cedar chest anyway? Does anyone know of a good way to get the smell out of the cedar?

Lisa from Michigan

baking soda

I would first place a couple of opened boxes of baking soda in the cedar chest, close the lid, and leave it for a few days. Then take sandpaper and sand the inside of the chest. This revives the cedar scent. The sanding also works well for cedar lined drawers, paneling, cedar blocks, etc.

KC (12/01/2000)

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