Last week, as we began preparing for Navratri, i invited a few friends around for tea. before I opened the wooden shoe rack in the hall to get my sandals, everything was OK. I got hit squarely in the face by a terrible, musty wave of wet wood and trapped foot smell.
The smell went straight into the living room, which was rather awkward. A horrible trap is created within locked cupboards by the high September humidity combined with wet monsoon shoes. I want to show to you how to remove damp bad smell from a closed wooden shoe rack.
Real reason your shoe cabinet smells terrible
Wood works exactly like a hard sponge. over the last three months, we threw our rather damp sandals and shoes into the rack, and the wood absorbed all that residual moisture. all fresh air is immediately shut off when the cabinet doors are closed. on the shelves, bacteria can grow quickly due to the damp, gloomy environment. this will ruin your living room with that terrible combination of old perspiration and rotten wood.
My personal method to clear the odor completely
You can fix this embarrassing problem in one afternoon using a few normal items from your kitchen.
Step 1: Empty and air out the shelves
The first step is to remove every single pair of shoes from the cabinet. the heavy, trapped air may be released into the hallway by leaving the wooden doors wide open for a few hours. to help force fresh, moving air deep into those confined wooden corners, I often put on the closest ceiling fan.
Step 2: The vinegar wipedown
The bacteria on the wooden surfaces are taken out by a straightforward mixture of white vinegar. one cup of white vinegar and one cup of simple water can be combined in a small dish. you may securely clean the inside walls and shelves by dipping a soft cloth into this mixture. Without destroying your costly wood polish, the natural acid removes the bacteria creating the smell.
Step 3: The coffee ground trick
Dry coffee grounds are ideal for absorbing any remaining smells in the atmosphere. you may fill a small plastic bowl with two spoons of inexpensive, dry coffee powder. the musty smell is completely gone if this bowl is left on the lowest shelf overnight. when you wake up the next morning, the cabinet will smell fresh and comfortable.
Easy daily habits to keep the wood fresh
Even in humid conditions, you may maintain a nice smell in your foyer by making a few minor adjustments.
- You may collect dirt and absorb excess moisture from your soles by placing old newspaper sheets on the shelf.
- To prevent the wetness from spreading, let wet shoes dry completely under a room fan before storing them away.
- The dense interior humidity may be naturally absorbed by slipping a little piece of blackboard chalk into the back corner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can i use regular room freshener spray inside the cabinet?
No, applying damp perfume to damp wood makes the issue. The liquid simply sits on the surface and combines with the foul smell to produce an odd, nauseating odor. Instead of hiding the germs, you must first remove them.
Does keeping camphor cones help with the smell?
Yes, after cleaning the wood, hanging a camphor cone looks great. In addition to naturally keeping tiny insects away from your costly leather shoes, camphor release a potent, fresh scent.
Should I line the wooden shelves with plastic sheets?
No, moisture is trapped between the plastic and the wood when plastic sheets are laid down. your shelves will eventually rot due to this hidden water. because paper breathes and readily absorbs moisture, using it is far safer.
