We’ve been in the business of selling teak shower benches for a long time. Since we’ve worked with wood so closely, we’ve picked up a lot of knowledge about it. For example, if wooden furniture is put into storage for a prolonged period of time, it will develop a musty smell that’s absolutely awful.

If your wooden pieces are starting to stink, try these tips out.

• Many kinds of wood are porous, meaning that they can not only absorb water, but also moisture in the air and the scent molecules around it. Try using either a dehumidifier, or move the piece into an air conditioned room.
• A great way to make a wooden piece smell and look better is by sanding it. Sand it down and leave it like that for a few days, which gives the wood some time to breathe and remove the smell. Also, make sure the piece isn’t in an area with high humidity.
• It’s a bit of a no-brainer, but a frequent reason for smelly furniture is because it’s dirty and crawling with bacteria. Using a cleaning product that’s safe for wood, gently clean all the surfaces, edges, corners, and the bottom of the furniture.
• You probably know not to leave wood furniture exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. Having said that, airing out a stinky piece of wooden furniture is a good move. Just take it outside and place it in a shaded area for a few hours.
• If you have a wooden cabinet or desk that’s malodorous, you’ll have to deal with drawers or other enclosed areas. Use a pan of charcoal or a bowl of coffee grounds, and place them inside cabinets or drawers. Give it a few days, but the coffee grounds or charcoal should effectively neutralize the smell.