Eliminating mildew odor from dresser drawers

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

September 2, 2004

Q. How can I get rid of a mildew odor in the drawers of a dresser? The dresser is two years old and in my house in Delray Beach, Fla. I keep the relative humidity in the house at 50 percent. When the house is vacant, I leave the drawers empty and open to circulate air. I have tried a number of mildew-killing agents, including baking soda, but none have worked. -- Norma, Island Park

A. You tried baking soda, but you may not have used enough. Put a couple of new, opened boxes in the drawers and keep them open. I'd move the dresser about two to three feet away from the wall to let air circulate around the furniture. Then, take three or four pieces of inexpensive charcoal briquets, the kind used for barbecuing. Line the drawers with old newspaper and place the briquets in the drawers.

When it's time to refill the drawers with clothing and other items, toss out the old charcoal and baking soda. Flush the baking soda down the kitchen drain; the charcoal, which might turn white after absorbing moisture and odor, can go in the trash can.