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Posted by Henry in MI on September 1st, 2003 01:42 PM
In reply to musty odor by Jim St. on September 1st, 2003 11:15 AM [Go to top of thread]

Here are 2 ways to go. The first is easiest and cheapest. Baking soda absorbs odors nicely. several companies, but particularly Arm & Hammer, make boxes of baking soda that are made just for this. You can get the boxes in any grocery store and be sure to read the instructions on the box BEFORE you open a box.

The second method is a little more complicated. Start by getting rid of all the coverings, like shelf paper, inside the cabinets. Then apply a coat of shellac mixed at a ratio of one part Zinsser's Bullseye White Shellac (3# cut) to 5 parts denatured alcohol. You can apply this mix with any kind of brush, about, with a foam brush or a cheap, wood handled, white bristle brush being good choices. Apply this to the inside of the cabinets only and be careful as the mixture will be very light. The shellac will seal the wood and seal the odors into the wood. On the base cabinets, you will want to remove drawers and do the inside of the cabinets to seal that also.

Be sure to follow all the safety rules and instructions for working with the shellac and alcohol. The alcohol is very flamable and rags that are used will be subject to spontaneous combustion if not handled correctly after use. This said, the shellac is a pretty harmless material. One other use for shellac, in a purer form, is to hold pills together and to coat pills of medicine.

Henry in MI

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