Bad Smell ??

Nancy_G · #1 09-30-2005, 08:02 AM

On another site I visit I saw this question:

"My daughter's grandfather-in-law made them a beautiful dresser for their baby that's due soon. Whatever stain or varnish he used has left an odor that she can't get rid of. All the baby's clothes that she put in the drawer smell so she'll have to rewash them. She's washed the drawers and even put baking soda in them to absorb the odor to no avail. Does anyone know if vinegar would work? Thank you."

Can anyone offer some help? Even if she - and we - don't know what stain or varnish was used?

decoycarve · #2 09-30-2005, 08:46 AM

How long ago was the finish put on it? Some of that stuff will outgass for months until it is fully cured. The drawers will need to be pulled out and a good airflow around everything will help it cure. Like Acrylic paint dry to the touch in 20 minutes Doesn't reach Full hardnesss for two weeks. Acrylic finishes doesn't have as much VOC's in it and has less fumes.
Goody

Ron Davidson · #3 09-30-2005, 09:10 AM

Do you know what type of wood and type of finish was used? Ron

AlArchie · #4 09-30-2005, 11:38 AM

Nancy, I'll go along with Goody on this one....some hydrocarbon based finishes take an awfully long tome to fully cure, and in closed drawers those evaporating hydrocarbons (the carriers in oil or petro based finishes) are contained right with the clothes. Time and airing are the only fix. Just don't have her put those drawers out in the sun....that can blister finishes or fade stain and some natural wood colors.

Oh, one more thought. If the inside of the drawers were NOT finished the odor may be from the wood itself. Some furniture makers advise not to seal or finish inside drawers, but that's another discussion. If the inside has not been sealed and the odor is from the wood (elm, maybe?? which smells a LOT like cat pee, by the way) it may be advisable to seal the wood with a good sanding sealer.

Al

Smokey · #5 09-30-2005, 01:20 PM

There is a technique that we use here at the Crime Lab to remove certian odors. I didn't mention it on the other post because it can be an oxidizer on some (most) metals. The technique requires that you seal the object in a plastic bag, or wrap it in shipping plastic and seal that with tape. Before sealing it up--remove whatever metals possible, then place a small glass dish with swimming pool chlorine tablets or granules under the dresser or trunk.

This regiment also kills molds (by fumigation) and is being used in whole homes in the flooded regions of the south after the hurricanes.

Once the item is removed after a few days from the chlorine fumes, it will take only an additional day to dispell the chlorine smell.

Ron Davidson · #6 09-30-2005, 02:09 PM

AL- That is why I was wanting to know the type of wood also (Elm) and some others put out an odor of their own.Ron

Ashbys · #7 09-30-2005, 04:06 PM

Personally Nancy,

I would remove all the drawers and ......................

Check for Grandpa's old socks !

On a serious note:

I almost hate to say this, but it may be BLO. BLO will give flumes off for years. Durning my stupid days, ,, uh before last yesterday , I did civil war re-enacting , one of the things we did was make our own canvas bed rolls/poncho's . The way they were done was by mixing coal soot and BlO. That was almost 10 years ago , to this day they are still waterproof, and still in a closed room area you can smell the BLO.

Ash

muffy · #8 09-30-2005, 07:42 PM

Hi Folks, I Was Just Wondering If You Put In Some Red Ceder Chips That It Might Over Ride The Oder??? That Stuff Has A Very Pleasent Scent.. Dan...

Nancy_G · #9 10-02-2005, 08:54 AM

Thanks guys -- I've finally learned a bit more about the smelly new dresser. Here's what the poster has to say:
" it's oak with a clear varathane finish. The bottoms of the drawers are wood laminate like they use in housing. This dresser is huge. It's a dresser/changing table combination. Was very heavy to carry upstairs. Thanks again for your help."

Appreciate any help with this new, better information.

decoycarve · #10 10-02-2005, 09:43 AM

Varathane is one of the more potent varnishs. When its cured it is a good hard finish. You are going to need to get air flow around this piece for awhile.
take the drawers out and take them outside during the day set them where you may have a breeze blowing. Open a window in the room that the piece is in and place a fan in it, air has to be moving to help the piece outgass. The only other thing I could think of to get it cured quickly is find someone who has an automotive paint booth and have it baked for a while. You could build a plastic tent with a heater in one side and a fan in the other and cure it that way. Just sitting static in a room could take a month or more.
Goody