I have a cedar chest that was mine as a young girl. The top is now gone and for many, many years it has held toys for my kids (now grown) a nephew, and now my grandson. I love the old chest and now that I'm older I appreciate it.
I would love to strip off all the old paint, have a new lid made and try to restore it. My question is how do you get the old cedar smell back or does it just die out and can't be revived? I'm just curious if anyone would know.
By Sharon, KY
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I believe you can restore the cedar ordor by sanding with fine sand paper. I bought cedar hearts to hang in the closet and it came with sand paper to restore the odor when it faded.
I believe that once you have stripped off the paint and give the chest a good sanding (either by hand or by electrical sander) this will renew the lovely Cedar smell. If that doesn't work i know i have been in stores which sell drawer/wardrobe fresheners.
I have just found this site :www.polsteins.com/
and pop a few of these inside your chest.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes
Monique x
Why don't you buy some cedar essential oil and sprinkle it into the chest to revive it?
There is cedar oil that can be "painted" on the interior of any cedar chest/closet/anythingelsetoo
I'm not sure if it would work, but I would try to get some unscented wood furniture oil (at a place like Lowe's) and then add essential oil of cedar to it. There's lots of places on the internet where you can buy essential oils.
Give the Cedar a light sanding with a fine grit sandpaper and you will bring back that wonderful scent. I have done this several times to different cedar items over the years.
A light sanding is the way to go on this. No cost and won't have the artificial smell of oils, which I have also tried.
I can appreciate the sentiment of an old chest and I know how much your grandchildren will love it one day too! My response is for the refinishing.
Please, unless it is a total disaster, leave the original paint and just varnish the outer cover. If the lid is in total disrepair just try to fix it as best you can (you can. You can always install a hydraulic hinge to make it easier (and safer) for children to lift and close without getting their fingers caught.
But I would like to make a suggestion: Write a letter about the origin of the chest (in your own handwriting), what you used to keep inside it, who gave it to you and when and make sure you date the letter. Then, decopauge the letter to the inside of the chest. Think of the generations to come that will be able to read the history of such a wonderful piece!! Hopefully your grandchildren will write a letter when they get older and add to the sentimental value!!
Adding oils to it isn't the best idea bgecause the oil will seal the wood preventing any real odor from escaping. your best bet would be using the fine grit sand paper (220 grit).
Simply use some very fine sandpaper and lightly sand the interior. That should bring the smell back.
I also have a cedar chest that I refinished a few years ago. It is in great condition but the cedar smell is now gone.
I have tried light sanding and it doesn't seem to work. Any other suggestions.
Baking soda make a paste of it. Or pet smell remover will usually get most smells out. Good luck.
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How does one refresh an old cedar closet?
By Olga from Houston, TX
If you mean to bring the scent back, I would think just a real light sanding with a fine grade of sand paper would work.
Sanding will do the trick. An easy way is to sand with a sanding sponge. You will have better control. Hope this helps.
