Thread: Advice needed: Getting odours out of wood

That's gonna be tough I think...
You could try bicarb soda, that's a pretty common odour remover. I doubt it will get it entirely, but it can't hurt.

Shellac would seal the odor in - but it's going to depend on what finish is on the rest of the desk. You could wiping with ammonia and leaving out in the sun but this could damage the un-stinky parts of the desk top. Is it solid wood? Any chance of a photo?

Originally Posted by Alkahestic

Shellac would seal the odor in - but it's going to depend on what finish is on the rest of the desk. You could wiping with ammonia and leaving out in the sun but this could damage the un-stinky parts of the desk top. Is it solid wood? Any chance of a photo?

Upon further inspection, it seems to be a wooden laminate that the oil has seeped into, not the actual frame of the desk. I'll take a photo tomorrow morning.

In cleaning something like caustic soda would be used to break down organic matter. The problem is that it would bleach the wood and break the wood down as well. I feel that your best chance is to strip the existing finish, then scrub with dishwashing liquid, dry it up and then sand. But if your top is a laminate then I think that would not work either because you would damage the laminate. Honestly given enough time the smell will fade as it breaks down but it could be months/years.

I’m with Elan. Use bicarbonate soda. Put some on the area and give it a scrub with a nail brush. Clean it off then put a pile back on to cover the area and let it sit for a week.

Did you try any of the supermarket/bunnings furniture cleaning items? Orange oil, scented wax, cedar/lemon spray cleaners. Good to have a little selection, I use them to cover the smell of furniture finish (I know, I know, nobody has told you because they're polite, but trust me, most people hate the smell of BLO/varnish/most oils)

This is the desktop with the wooden laminate and the area that's affected. I've rubbed some bicarb soda on it and am gonna leave it overnight and check back tomorrow. If it still smells, I'll give the vinegar solution a try.

D3CB1537-1703-4DD9-BF2D-6B00B9F4BBED.jpg

Sorry about the angle, I'm not sure how to rotate pics on here.

You need a thick covering of bi carb.

Originally Posted by Lappa

You need a thick covering of bi carb.

Alright, will apply more tonight. Thanks.