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A friend just bought a house and the cupboards and drawers in her kitchen and baths smell like mildew. The cupboards and drawers are made of mahogany and every time you open one up the smell hits you in the face. There is no visible mold or mildew in the kitchen or baths and she and I have scrubbed the drawers, shelves and doors thoroughly with Lysol but the smell remains. We can't tell if the smell is on the varnish coating the wood or in the wood itself. Rather than trying to cover-up the smell with air freshener, which would probably lead to an even nastier "rotting flowers" or "rotting fruit" smell, she would like to know if it is possible to eliminate the smell. Perhaps there is something she can use to coat the drawers, shelves and doors to eliminate the smell? If you or someone you know have had this experience your help would be greatly appreciated!
Posted : November 22, 2005 8:34 pm
I don't know if it will eliminate it or not - but Alexandra gave me a great tip - find a bay leaf bush and crack the fresh leaves. No, it doesn't smell at ALL like a bay leaf, sort of a citrus-y smell...and it keeps the bugs out, too. Might work, might not...but I can guarantee you will walk around with a fresh bay leaf stuck up your nose for a while...it is WONDERFUL!
Posted : November 23, 2005 12:17 am
Hey Sam! Haven't you kicked that bay leaf habit yet? lol
Definitely addicting...
Posted : November 28, 2005 5:53 pm
I heard them called Bay Rum Tree, but, yeah, same thing. Although I think they smell like bay leaves,-and a bit like after-shave- and DO keep out bugs.
Has she wiped them down with strong bleach water ?? I love da bleach.
Posted : November 28, 2005 7:56 pm
We have the same problem. Not so much like mildew, but more like a very strong stale water smell. We re-coated the cisterns and the basement apartment and under a couple a sinks still has that horrible smell.
Hasn't anyone else dealt with this permanently - rather than covering up the odor???
Posted : November 29, 2005 12:38 am