You may be wondering one of the following…
- How do I refresh my old cedar chest?
- Can I use Murphy’s oil soap to clean a cedar chest?
- How do I get rid of the scratches on my cedar chest?
- How do I keep my new cedar chest its very best?
Basically, you desire to know, how to maintain a cedar chest.
You’ve come to the right place! A cedar chest holds heirloom quality which deserves your careful maintenance.
Below you will find 10 steps for cleaning your cedar chest and 10 ways to restore that delicious, aromatic cedar scent!
PLUS! Enjoy discovering answers to specific questions about the maintenance of your cedar chest by the professionals.
Dust and mold! Prepare to meet your maker!
10 Steps for How to Maintain A Cedar Chest(s)
Step 1. Empty and Evaluate Your Cedar Chest
Empty your cedar chest. Then evaluate how dirty, or how much work needs to be done to it.
Step 2. Make a Quick To-Do List
If you want, jot down what all needs cleaned or improved on your cedar chest. This will help keep the project focused and organized. Also, this allows you to skip over the steps that do not apply to your situation.
Step 3. Vacuum
Use a vacuum’s extension and gently vacuum the exterior (if very dusty or cobwebbed covered) and the entire interior of your cedar chest.
Step 4. Wipe Down the Exterior
Choose the cleaning method according to the level of dirt and grime on the exterior of your cedar chest.
Mild Maintenance– Furniture polish and furniture polish rag. Wipe down the exterior, wiping towards the direction of the wood grain.
Moderate– Murphy’s Oil Soap or White Vinegar (especially if there is mold or mildew spots). Use a lint free cloth, wring out excess moisture and wipe down the exterior.
Extreme – 1/8 C. of TSP into a gallon of water and one dump of bleach. Use a scrubby pad, soak in liquid mixture, and very gently wipe towards the grain of the wood. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
Note: Skip to Step 6. (Return to Step 6. Once the exterior is dry.) Plus, check out the YouTube Videos below for tutorials to restore the exterior cedar chest naturally or with stain.
Step 5. Wipe Down the interior
Mild Maintenance – Furniture polish and furniture polish rag. Wipe down the interior, wiping towards the direction of the wood grain.
Moderate – White Vinegar. Use a lint free cloth and dampen, wring out excess liquid, and wipe down the interior.
Extreme – 3 T. Liquid Bleach to 1 C. of Water. Dampen a microfiber cloth and thoroughly wipe down the interior. If the interior of your cedar chest is stained beyond a good rub down with the chlorine mixture, then sanding (Step 8) the interior should get rid any lingering stains.
Step 6. Conquer the Corners
If the dirt, mildew, or mold seems to be camping out in the corners of your cedar chest, try grabbing a cotton swab or a Q-Tip, dampening with water, to get at the tight spots more easily.
Step 7. Air Dry Your Cedar Chest for a Day
Allow your cleaned cedar chest to air dry all day. Set your cedar chest outdoors in a safe location in the sunshine. If you are drying the interior be sure to leave the chest open. For best results, avoid drying out your cedar chest on humid days.
Step 8. Sand the Interior
Sanding the interior of your cedar chest will also potentially remove any remaining stains. Plus, it also refreshes the cedar smell.
Step 9. Re-Vacuum & Wipe Down with Moist Microfiber Cloth
Pull out the vacuum again to quickly pick up any wood dust from sanding. Follow up with wiping the interior with a damp microfiber cloth to ensure complete removal of the sawdust.
Step 10. Final Interior Air Dry & Freshening Touch
Leave the cedar chest lid open, either on your porch or in your house, to allow for a final air dry. Once you are certain the interior is dry add a freshening touch to the inside of your chest to revive its natural scent, if needed! Check out a list of options for ways to restore smell.
10 Refreshing Suggestions to Restore Your Cedar Chest’s Smell
Perhaps you have just cleaned out your cedar chest or you need suggestions for ways to simply recharge that addictive cedar scent. Either way, you are about to discover more ways to maintain your cedar chest.
Grab your pen and notepad!
10 Ways to Maintain or Restore Your Cedar Chest Smell
- Cedar Chest Oil – Use a lint-free cloth or clean cloth and apply a light layer to the interior of your chest.
- Cedar Essential Oils – Use a lint free or clean cloth and wipe the interior of your chest
- Dry Odor Absorber – Set inside for a few days, remove, sniff, and repeat if necessary
- Lightly Sand the Interior – Same Instructions as Step 8
- Vinegar (gets rid of unwanted odor.) – Same instructions as Step 5
- Cedar Blocks or Discs — Set inside for a few days more, remove, sniff and repeat if necessary
- Newspaper – Simply set inside for a few days, remove, air dry, sniff, repeat if necessary
- Coffee Grounds – Set in a bowl of your favorite grinds inside for a few days, remove, air dry, sniff, repeat if necessary
- Baking Soda – fill half a bowl, set inside for a few days, remove, air dry, sniff, repeat if necessary
- Air dry – Same instructions as Step 7
Videos for How to Maintain & Naturally Restore a Cedar Chest
How to Fix and Restore Cedar Chest
How to Clean and Naturally Restore a Cedar Chest
How to Get Rid of Scratches on Your Cedar Chest
Also, check out what 2 Pees in a Pod used to get rid of her cedar chest’s scratches!
Questions & Answers with a Professional, Josh, The Owner of Amish Handcrafted on how to maintain a cedar chest?
- Q. Can you set water cups on top of cedar chests? Will it make water rings?
A. We use a conversion varnish (part water, part oil), which is very resilient to water damage, however it is always best to avoid leaving water sitting for an extended period. It is safest to use a coaster. - Q. How do to make your cedar chest smell good again?
A. Just take a 220-grit sandpaper and lightly sand the inside of the chest. The interior is unfinished so you can easily do that. Just make sure that you sand in the direction of the grain. A fine sandpaper sanded in the direction of the gain will work wonders to restore the aroma of a chest!
Now that you know how to maintain a cedar chest , explore our 18 awesome ways to use it
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