How to Remove Musty Odors From Wood Chairs

A treasured antique chair can quickly lose its appeal when you realize it brings with it a musty odor from years of storage and neglect. Freshen your chairs by killing the odor-causing mold and mildew that seep into wood pores. With patience and a few tricks, you can restore your wooden chair, preserving its history and removing unpleasant smells. Maintain like-new condition by keeping your wooden furniture in climate-controlled, low-humidity areas.

Denatured alcohol or wood soap
Sandpaper
Wood stain or paint
Clear-coat finish
2 paintbrushes

Instructions

- 1
  Apply denatured alcohol or wood soap to all chair surfaces according to manufacturer's directions, including underneath arm rests and seats. This will kill any mold spores causing odor.
- 2
  Place the chair in a sunny, dry spot for a week. The sun's rays will dry any moisture trapped in the wood.
- 3
  Sand the chair and then refinish it with two to three coats of wood stain or paint to eliminate stubborn odors.
- 4
  Leave the chair in a dry spot for 48 hours to dry completely.
- 5
  Apply a clear coat to seal in odor and protect the finish. Allow it to dry completely before moving the chair.

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