Step 1 use white bread and white vinegar.
Chest of drawers smells musty.
Thoroughly cleaning the drawers usually solves the issue although very old furniture or items stored in a damp area for a long length of time may require sanding.
Wet a cloth with the solution and squeeze out any excess moisture.
Musty smell still strong.
Combine three parts water and one part household bleach if the odor remains.
Excess moisture results in a musty scent in furniture and the offensive odor tends to concentrate in the drawers which see little air movement or light.
Moisture often finds its way into the drawer usually by means of damp clothing but it may also be the result of spills or humidity.
This is a really great little trick for lots of yucky smells.
Place a lunchbox sized container of baking soda fresh coffee grounds or cat litter inside for a couple of days with the doors drawers closed then remove the container.
Then if you find the smells remain maybe from mothballs musty or new wood laundry soaps drawer sachets or spilled perfumes work on the drawers to eliminate the odors.
Mildew requires moisture organic dirt and oxygen to grow but doesn t require light.
Again this one is for more mild to moderate smells.
If you have an old dresser just line the drawers with dryer sheets or if it s a vintage trunk just find a way to stash a few of them inside.
Smelly dresser drawers can be caused by spills substances transferred from clothing bacteria mold mildew fungi insects and rodents.
How to prevent mildew in drawers.
It s crucial to deodorize the drawers before using the piece of furniture.
If the odors penetrate wood in a chest of drawers they will be more challenging to eliminate.
Step 1 open all of the dresser drawers and leave open for 24 hours.
Wipe all unvarnished surfaces inside the drawers.
Baking soda or carpet powder.
Cause of musty smells musty smells are the result of mildew in your clothing or in your dresser.
Drawers can provide an ideal environment for mildew and once it begins.
Mildew spores accumulate in dark and damp environments and even if we can t see them the smell gives them away.
Have you painted inside the drawers.
Scented drawer liners may help but likely clothing will then smell of artificial scent as well as mustiness sorry.
If you do not remove this smell and instead use the chest of drawers to store clothing the clothing itself will absorb the musty smell.