Found a solid oak dresser on Elm Street, but the smell hit me two days later

I grabbed it Monday evening, and it looked perfect. By Wednesday, a strong, sweet smell filled my room. I think the old finish or maybe some spilled perfume soaked into the wood over time. Has anyone else brought home a piece that seemed fine but had a hidden smell issue?

2 comments

2 Comments

jordan6531mo ago

That sweet smell could be from old polish or wax gone rancid. People forget wood soaks up decades of whatever was used on it. I'd try wiping it down with vinegar water, but if it's deep in the grain you might need to strip the finish. Ever check if the smell gets worse on warm days?

taylor9291mo ago

Yeah, the warm day thing is a great point. Heat totally pulls old smells out of wood. If vinegar doesn't cut it, stripping might be the only real fix.