End table smells! (feng shui, stain, outside, worth)

[Kayekaye]

I snagged a great looking set of end table and coffee tables from Craigslist that I have long wanted! They came from a very high end home in a high end neighborhood and are in great shape except for one thing- the smell in one drawer!

The drawer in the end table just reeks. It doesn’t show any dirt or stain in the drawer or the box the drawer goes into. I have cleaned it with soap and water. Didn’t work. Then tried vinegar and water. Didn’t work. Then tried Baking soda wash and left some mor baking soda in the box when dry but no luck!

Any other ideas? Would varnishing the inside of the box seal in the smell? It has rough wood unfinished I send the box. That’s the only thing I can think of. I wonder what kind of wood they used on the inside, or what it was soaked in...

[WorldKlas]

I would put it in a covered place outside for a few days and also spray it with Fabreeze

[Formerly Known As Twenty]

Perhaps activated charcoal might be worth a try.

How would you describe the odor?

[Kayekaye]

Originally Posted by WorldKlas

I would put it in a covered place outside for a few days and also spray it with Fabreeze

Good idea. But I’m allergic to fragrances...

[Kayekaye]

Originally Posted by Formerly Known As Twenty

Perhaps activated charcoal might be worth a try.

How would you describe the odor?

Just awful, like a dead body. Just horrible. Keeping the drawer closed helps but it still smells.
Will try the activated charcoal.

[rfomd129]

Have you removed the drawer to see if the smell is actually from the drawer or from the inside of the table? It looks like there might be a hollow space inside part of the table (to the right of the drawer) that might have something in it.
Maybe a bleach/water mixture would help.

[nobodysbusiness]

Trash it.

Bad Feng Shui, especially if it makes you think of dead bodies.

[nuts2uiam]

IF you are able to use Murphy's oil soap, wash it down and let it dry outside in the sun. I had an old trunk that had a musty smell and this worked.

[Kayekaye]

Originally Posted by Formerly Known As Twenty

Perhaps activated charcoal might be worth a try.

How would you describe the odor?

Just awful, like a dead body. Just horrible. Keeping the drawer closed helps but it still smells.

[Kayekaye]

Originally Posted by rfomd129

Have you removed the drawer to see if the smell is actually from the drawer or from the inside of the table? It looks like there might be a hollow space inside part of the table (to the right of the drawer) that might have something in it.
Maybe a bleach/water mixture would help.

Yup. Taken out the drawer and clean 3 times so far. It never looked dirty or stained. But it’s not finished wood. Wondering if it’s some horrible soaked cheap wood inside...