Commercial Furniture Maintenance: Get The Smell Out
December 10, 2007
When we talk about furniture, we often discuss how it looks, how it feels, and how sturdy it is. But, though many people politely ignore it, there’s an issue that needs to be talked about: smelly furniture. Yes, how your furniture smells can affect how guests perceive your home or business. Nobody wants to sit on a couch that reeks of cigarette smoke and mildew, lest the odors creep into their clothing. If your furniture is a bit on the pungent side, try these quick tips for getting the smell out.
First, you’ll want to kill mold spores, which can be responsible not only for odors, but for allergies and respiratory distress in people who inhale the spores. To get rid of the mold, fill a spray bottle with denaturated alcohol or another anti microbial spray. Open cabinets, remove drawers, and spray all hidden areas where mold can hide.
Next, let the affected furniture dry for about one week. The area should be dry, and sunny if possible. If the smell persists, you might have to seal the odor in by putting a sealant or finish on the wooden parts.
A cousin of mine used to work in a carpet outlet, and he had all kinds of remedies for musty carpets and upholstery. Chief among them was Febreze, which I heartily recommend; but be sure to kill the mold before you try to kill the odor. Some who don’t care for Febreze, like a friend of mine who maintained furniture for bars, say that anything absorbent can be placed beneath or inside the furniture to draw out lingering odors. Unscented kitty litter and ground coffee have been used successfully.
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