In article outcrafting.com,
Perek75 wrote:
I got a dresser (for free) in french style that is quite neat. However it
smells like mold! I have located some small moist/water stains but no
misscoloration. The stains are located at the far end of the drawer on the
lower edge and they are about 1-2" (pull the drawer out turn towards you
underside edge towareds back). It seems like this part of the drawers
("the back") are made by some kind of pressed wood (uncoated) and it is a
little soggy were the stains are. The other parts of the dresser is made
of wood, hard to say how good quality but it looks ok. I think it has some
finish on it but it is hard to say. I was planning to cleaning it with
bleach/water 50/50, sand it slightly and then paint the drawers with a
sealer/primer to keep the mold/stains away and to get rid of the smell. I
wanted to know if this is a good idea or if I should just throw it away. I
have though about replacing the pressed wood parts but I think that is
quite a lot of work on 7 drawers especially if you are a happy amatour
with no really great tools to work with and no money to spend. I
appreciate any inout. Thanks


Exposure to bright sunlight for a couple of days will make a big difference.

A circa 15% bleach / 85% water solution, will kill what the sunlight doesn't.
just enough to 'dampen' things, let sit for no more than a couple of minutes,
and blot dry. Complete the process with another dose of sunlight.

'Pressed wood" is problematic. if it's gotten wet enough that it has
swollen up, it's pretty much ruined. If it hasn't swelled, then it's
probably OK "as is".