How to Wash the Inside of the Old Cedar Chest
Whether your cedar chest is a family heirloom or antique-store find, it is sensible to clean out the inside before using it for storage. Old chests can be stale indoors or smell like mothballs, but with a little strategic cleaning, you can restore the appearance and smell of the cedar. Antique furniture should always be treated with care, but the inside of aged cedar chests is especially fragile — since the wood inside is frequently unfinished, cleaning with minimal moisture is essential to reduce harm.
Vacuum the inside of the cedar chest with the hose having a long, angled attachment using a narrow opening. This permits you to get into the corners.
Mix a solution of 3 tablespoons liquid chlorine bleach to 1 cup water. Dampen a microfiber cleaning cloth with the option; wring it out nicely and wash away any stains. Skip this step if the inside of the chest does not have stains.
Wash the cleaning cloth with water and wring it out. If you are not using bleach to clean stains, dampen the cloth with water and wring it out.
Wipe the inside of the chest Together with the cloth. If dirt stays in the corners, soften the finish of a cotton swab with water to clean them out.
Leave the lid of this cedar chest open and let it dry completely.
Sand the inside of the chest using 220-grit sandpaper or 0000 steel wool to reestablish the cedar smell, if needed.
Vacuum the timber and wipe it again with a damp microfiber cloth to remove sawdust.
Place 2 to 3 drops of cedar oil on a dry microfiber cloth. Wipe the inside of the chest to protect the timber and restore the scent.