Charlotte Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 We have been given some old 1920s Bauhaus furniture by one of my relatives. It's gorgeous and steeped in history which I love. The only problem is due to the age it has that musty smell. Being a bit of a hygiene freak I've cleaned all the furniture (wardrobes and cocktail cabinets etc) several times. Some pieces still have that musty smell though. Does anyone know anything that could be done to get rid of the odour, or a specialist cleaning product for wood? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 I can recommend Briwax http://www.briwaxwoodcare.com/ They do a range of wax treatments that as well as looking good, clean the surface too...we've used it often and its good stuff. As well as doing the flat surfaces, you could try getting some of the wax polish down in the joints and edges with a toothbrush, then polishing off with a cloth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 Get a professional to do it, If it is that old then it may not fair up to modern day chemicals. Whatever you do don't use a carpet cleaner on it (as in the utencil) as my folks got a so called sofa cleaner guy in he soaked it and the sofa held the water in and eventually they had to get rid as it stunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 11, 2007 Author Share Posted January 11, 2007 I can recommend Briwax http://www.briwaxwoodcare.com/ They do a range of wax treatments that as well as looking good, clean the surface too...we've used it often and its good stuff. As well as doing the flat surfaces, you could try getting some of the wax polish down in the joints and edges with a toothbrush, then polishing off with a cloth. Looks good, I'll give that a whirl thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 try a can of lynx effect! Did my college dissertation on the Bauhaus movement. Look after it! Must be worth something $$$$. Is it German? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 11, 2007 Author Share Posted January 11, 2007 try a can of lynx effect! Did my college dissertation on the Bauhaus movement. Look after it! Must be worth something $$$$. Is it German? I don't really know the full story, although I should really! It belonged to a relative's mother who died, but her husband (my relative's father) made it. He was a cabinet maker in the 20s. It was made in the UK (I think) but then shipped to New York when they lived there in the 50s (wow). When we brought it home it still had the chalk writing from the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 WOW!!! Sounds great and must have sentimental value too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black cat Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 errrrrrrrrrrrr pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 Copied this from the web.....apart from the airing outside bit, it sounds a bit harsh:blink: Maybe airing then Briwax polish would be safer to try first. 'Eliminating musty smells from wood furnishings Wood furniture stored in damp, poorly ventilated conditions can develop a musty odor. To eliminate the smell, place the pieces outside in the sun on a dry day. Remove all the drawers, open the doors and let Mother Nature have at it. This will remove any remaining moisture and may improve the smell. If you can't place the furniture outside, at least put it in a well-ventilated garage or shed and direct a fan to blow air on all the pieces. Allow them to air out for several days. Scrub the surfaces with solution of 50% laundry bleach and water. Follow up with a scrubbing of 50% isopropyl alcohol and water. If smells remain, scrub with Lestoil. You can also leave small, open containers of Lestoil in the closed cupboard. Placing open containers of kitty litter or activated charcoal (available at aquarium supply stores) in the furniture might also absorb the odor.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Garfy Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 I'm a qualified Joiner/Carpenter, so I can vouch (I think thats now its spelt) for Briwax, definatly the way to go, it will also help to restore the shine of the furniture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlotte Posted January 11, 2007 Author Share Posted January 11, 2007 Excellent, I'll give it a whirl. Ewen, thanks for that, might try the charcoal thing, can't take it outside, it's fooking heavy and took long enough to bring up two flights of stairs! Steve, I'll try and take some pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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