Perfume Leak

[EcclesCake]

A bottle of perfume has spontaneously popped its stopper and leaked into a chest of drawers.

Every time I open the draw it is completely over powering.

Given the inclement weather I can't take it outside to air so what can I do?

Suggestions appreciated.

[anneasquith]

wash it ?

[Peaspeculiars]

Possibly empty out everything, sprinkle some talcum powder in to soak up anything, them hoover out after a couple of hours?
I'll bet baking soda would work in the same way it you have any to hand?

[kvalidir]

Cat litter works too- eliminates smells:)

[EcclesCake]

It seems to have been a gradual drip, so there is not wet patch just some very strongly scented wood :-(

I might try the Bicarb route, it's more appealing than the cut onion trick which is another way of dealing with smells!

[EcclesCake]

Kval, you're meant to be in the kitchen cooking up a Fabbydoodle picnic!

Would cat litter work on dry smells?

[kvalidir]

I've been up since 6-00 cooking:) Offski in a min though he's picking me up at 3-00 so need to get ready. Looks like it's going to be dry though which is good:)

[EcclesCake]

Have a good evening. I hope it stays dry for you soggy picnics are rarely fun; however good the company, food and entertainment :-(

[woofgang]

what did you decide on in the end?

[Clanad]

You can remove the drawer and inspect the bottom board… if the chest is fairly new, it will be made of particle board if older it'll be a single piece of laminated or plywood… in either case inspect the back of the drawer where the bottom fits in. Often, there's just a retainer strip nailed or bradded in to hold the bottom once it's slipped into it's retaining groove in the other sides. Removing that strip will let you slide the board out and replace it with one someone will cut to fit for you at a DIY store (at least here in the U.S.)

Alternately, the bottom boards of drawers are often unfinished and often are made of cedar plywood to add a cedar smell (and bug protection). It's likely the perfume was only absorbed by the bottom board. Find a good quality shellac … has to be labeled shellac, not varnish or polyurethane. Give the drawer bottom at least two, if not three good even coats, letting it dry completely between coats. Shellac will seal the wood and prevent odors whereas the other coating will not…

Good luck!

[EcclesCake]

Thanks but this is solid wood, not laminated or particle board.

I think I'm going for the airing solution as soon as I can.......meanwhile my drawers are full of Bicarb :-)

[ethandron]

Eccles, there's worse things to have in your drawers...;)

[whirlyhurly]

Could you perhaps take the drawer out and put it in the airing cupboard (if you have one).

[Brinjal]

Bi carb or talc should do the trick.

[EcclesCake]

1.5 days of Bicarb, 1.5 of airing and it is continuing to linger and not really disapate. Any other top tips apart from shoving a kipper in the drawer to mask the smell?

[EcclesCake]

Dissipate^^^^

[Tilly2]

Is it really that bad, Eccles. Did you not like that particular perfume? My suggestion would be to put your underwear in it.

[tonyav]

Eccles you could try putting half an onion in the draw, I only suggest that because it works with getting rid of paint smells so maybe it'll work with the perfume.

[EcclesCake]

Chanel No 5 and I no longer agree........ Tilly it's become a form of subtle chemical warfare :-(

Tony, I did consider the onion route on Saturday, it's in the back pocket ahead of the kipper :-)

[Tilly2]

Well, I wouldn't mind my underwear smelling of Chanel No.5. Go with the flow!

[sunny-dave]

As a temporary solution (until you can get the offending drawer outside to air for a few days) you could wrap it in clingfilm to at least enclose the pong.