Mildew requires moisture organic dirt and oxygen to grow but doesn t require light.
Chest of drawers smells musty.
Have you painted inside the drawers.
Again this one is for more mild to moderate smells.
Combine three parts water and one part household bleach if the odor remains.
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.
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.
This is a really great little trick for lots of yucky smells.
If the odors penetrate wood in a chest of drawers they will be more challenging to eliminate.
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.
Mildew spores accumulate in dark and damp environments and even if we can t see them the smell gives them away.
Musty smell still strong.
Smelly dresser drawers can be caused by spills substances transferred from clothing bacteria mold mildew fungi insects and rodents.
It s crucial to deodorize the drawers before using the piece of furniture.
Cause of musty smells musty smells are the result of mildew in your clothing or in your dresser.
Scented drawer liners may help but likely clothing will then smell of artificial scent as well as mustiness sorry.
Maybe it would seal in the smell.
Bacteria and mold or mildew are the most common cause of odors.
It s easy to clean disinfect and deodorize the drawers stopping your odor problem once and for all.
How to prevent mildew in drawers.
Wet a cloth with the solution and squeeze out any excess moisture.
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.
Baking soda or carpet powder.
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.
Drawers can provide an ideal environment for mildew and once it begins.
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.