- Clean Cedar Chest. Before the restoration process can begin, you will need to clean your antique cedar chest nicely from the inside.
- Sand and Vacuum. Now sand the interior of the chest gently with fine-textured sandpaper. ...
- Use Natural Cedar Oil Inside. If your chest needs some more maintenance and additional scent revival, then using 100% natural cedar oil may do the job.
- Refinish the Chest from Outside. Start by cleaning the exterior of the chest with white vinegar using a lint-free cloth. ...
How do you restore an exterior cedar chest?
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.
How do you get the smell out of a cedar chest?
Light Sanding One of the least expensive and easiest ways to refresh the smell of an old cedar chest is to lightly sand the interior. Using fine-grit sandpaper, sand along the grain of the wood, and vacuum out the dust. More often than not this is all it takes to bring out the naturally fragrant oil in the wood and refresh the smell of old cedar.
How much does it cost to revive a cedar chest?
It cost right around $50 to revive this cedar chest, and that was with having to purchase everything new. Many of these things (the stains and finish) are things I keep in inventory, so maybe you do too! I love how this turned out! It fits perfectly under the big window!
How do you restore cedar siding?
The restoration process is simple. You merely have to sand the cedar wood with coarse sandpaper. Sand until the aroma returns or the wood turns red again (sunlight and air turn it brown.) Never seal cedar with anything! The only restoration liquid you should ever apply is natural cedar oil extract.
How do you bring a cedar chest back to life?
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!
How do you rejuvenate cedar furniture?
0:371:50What Is the Best Way to Protect & Restore Cedar Furniture? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWays is to use tung oil it's a simple one-step application and it's about as easy as you can get theMoreWays is to use tung oil it's a simple one-step application and it's about as easy as you can get the key with tung oil is that you want to flood the surface.
How do you refurbish cedar wood?
0:051:50What Is the Best Way to Protect & Restore Cedar Furniture? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut one of the simplest. Ways is to use tongue oil it's a simple one-step. Application. And it'sMoreBut one of the simplest. Ways is to use tongue oil it's a simple one-step. Application. And it's about as easy as you can get the key with tung oil is that you want to flood the surface.
How do you recharge a cedar chest?
How to Recharge the Smell of a Cedar ChestRemove all items in the chest and wipe down the lining with warm water to remove dust and the surface coating of grime. ... Sand the wood by hand with 60-grit sandpaper. ... Apply a few drops of natural cedar oil to a clean cloth and rub the wood to enhance the natural aroma even more.
Are cedar chests worth anything?
Online auction sites, antique shops and secondhand stores often sell Lane cedar chests -- based on their age, condition or rarity -- starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more for older chests. But most chests, on average, are valued between $200 and $400.
What is the best way to treat cedar wood?
Cedar accepts most finishes well, including penetrating oils, such as tung oil and linseed oil. Penetrating oils are especially effective for sealing the grain while leaving the wood looking raw and natural. Just like exterior applications, your interior sealing projects should start with clean cedar.
Is linseed oil good for cedar?
There are two oil finishes recommended for sealing cedar: teak and linseed. Applied the same way, teak and cedar oils produce a similar protective finish with a warm, hand-rubbed, natural-looking appearance as compared to varnish and urethane.
How do you clean weathered cedar?
The Cedar Bureau recommends using a solution no stronger than one-part bleach to three parts water. Apply it with a pump sprayer and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with a garden hose. Be sure to keep the hose pointed downward to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles.
What color stain is best for cedar?
The 5 Best Stains for CedarNatural Stain.Red.Natural Brown.Cool Blue.Slate Gray.
How long does cedar chest last?
3 to 7 yearsAs a rule of thumb, good cedar blocks can last for a period of 3 to 7 years. The best way to renew the strength of cedar blocks is by sanding its exterior with sandpaper.
What is the best oil for cedar?
When finishing cedar wood, we recommend using linseed oil. This type of oil is the most popular with woodworkers, as well as cedar cladding users and craft enthusiasts. If you would like an oil finish on a piece of mahogany, we recommend using tung oil, linseed oil or teak oil.
How do you keep cedar looking natural?
Staining Cedar With a Semi-Transparent Stain Semi-transparent stains are your best bet when you want the real look of slightly weathered cedar with protection. The few solid particles in this mix will not significantly obscure cedar's wood grain.
How do you clean old cedar furniture?
0:452:29How to Clean Cedar Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in a container dip a soft scrub brush into the cleaning mixtureMoreAnd 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in a container dip a soft scrub brush into the cleaning mixture and scrub the surfaces of the cedar furniture to remove dust dirt and grime rinse.
Should you stain outdoor cedar furniture?
Staining Cedar is useful to prevent the wood from greying and weathering due to UV rays, moisture, mildew, and other climate changes. Stain can protect the wood from environmental elements while enhancing the natural beauty of Cedar wood with a nice, smooth, and shiny finish.
How to clean a cedar chest?
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.
How to clean a chest with cedar oil?
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.
How to get rid of mold on cedar chest?
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.
Does sanding a cedar chest remove stains?
Sanding the interior of your cedar chest will also potentially remove any remaining stains. Plus, it also refreshes the cedar smell.
How to get the smell of red cedar back?
The oil is distilled from aromatic red cedar, and if sanding is not enough to bring back the smell, the oil certainly will. Simply apply the oil to a clean cloth, and rub it over the unfinished wood. Besides bringing back the smell of fresh aromatic red cedar to an old lined chest, it will also deter insects, and it can be applied to any type ...
How to get rid of the smell of cedar?
One of the least expensive and easiest ways to refresh the smell of an old cedar chest is to lightly sand the interior. Using fine-grit sandpaper, sand along the grain of the wood, and vacuum out the dust.
How to keep old chests from smelling?
They are quite aromatic, and work well to refresh the smell of an old chest. If you do not want to invest in oil, after lightly sanding and cleaning the interior, place a few blocks or discs inside. Close the lid and before long the chest will smell like new. Each time it is opened the smell of aromatic red cedar will waft through the room and keep your stored fabrics free from insects for many years to come.
What does a cedar chest smell like?
One of the best features of a cedar chest is the aroma. Newer chests have the typical cedar smell that is unmistakable, but when the chests become old they sometimes lose some of the odor that once filled the room when opened. You can refresh the aroma of an old chest in a number of easy ways.
Can you use 100% pure cedar oil on unfinished wood?
Did you know you can buy 100% pure oil of cedar? The oil is distilled from aromatic red cedar, and if sanding is not enough to bring back the smell, the oil certainly will. Simply apply the oil to a clean cloth, and rub it over the unfinished wood. Besides bringing back the smell of fresh aromatic red cedar to an old lined chest, it will also deter insects, and it can be applied to any type of unfinished wood.
How to keep cedar chest clean?
Keeping your cedar chest clean on the inside and outside is the best way to maintain its beauty ...
How to revive chest?
You can also try to revive your chest with 100-percent natural cedar oil. This oil is not cheap, so read the directions carefully before applying it. It also should restore the scent of your cedar chest. Also try cedar discs, cedar blocks or a dry odor absorber.
How to get cedar smell back?
The writers at Wohomen offer an easy way to get that cedar smell back and rejuvenate the wood. Start by gathering a vacuum with a brush attachment, some fine-textured sandpaper and 100-percent natural cedar oil. Remove everything from the chest, and sand in the direction of the wood grain. You may start to smell the cedar aroma again right away.
How to get rid of cedar stains?
You can also try putting some tea on the scratch, but make sure that the liquid color matches the cedar. Dab it on with a cotton swab; then immediately wipe away any excess with a cloth.
How to get scratches out of cedar?
For minor scratches, the team at New England Today Living recommends making a paste out of powdered pumice and mineral oil. Apply this solution with an extra-fine-grade steel wool pad, wipe it off and buff it out with a clean, dry cloth. You can also try putting some tea on the scratch, but make sure that the liquid color matches the cedar. Dab it on with a cotton swab; then immediately wipe away any excess with a cloth. The tea may work to camouflage the scratch.
What color is cedar wood?
Cedar wood has a distinctive reddish-brown color, and it smells rich and earthy. As an added bonus, instead of smelling attractive to moths and other pests, the aroma repels them. These factors make cedar wood a natural choice for closets and chests. Using a cedar chest is an ideal way to safely store clothing, ...
How to restore cedar wood?
The restoration process is simple. You merely have to sand the cedar wood with coarse sandpaper. Sand until the aroma returns or the wood turns red again (sunlight and air turn it brown.) Never seal cedar with anything! The only restoration liquid you should ever apply is natural cedar oil extract. It will soak into the wood and give off an intoxicating aroma!
How does cedar oil help insect larvae?
It can easily be restored. Air and sunlight work together to clog the tiny pores of the cedar. This stops the natural evaporation process of the cedar oil. It is this oil in the air that acts as a natural appetite suppressant to the insect larvae. The restoration process is simple.
Can you line a chest of drawers with cedar?
You can construct a full-size cedar closet. You can line the inside of a chest or armoire. You can even line the inside of a drawer or a complete chest of drawers.
How to get cedar to smell again?
This will rid the cedar of the blocked, dust-coated layer that’s preventing its natural oils from coming forth. After you’ve sanded, you should be able to pick up that cedar smell again.
How to use cedar oil on cedar block?
If you’re using a cedar oil, use a cloth to rub the oil into your cedar block. If things get overly slick, you can use a clean cloth or paper towel just to buff away any excess. Allow the cedar to dry and the oil to soak in thoroughly.
Can you spray cedar with cedar oil?
Cedar oil is usually the more natural route since many cedar sprays have added perfumes. C’est la vie. If you’re using a cedar spray, [follow the directions on the bottle] give your cedar a generous spraying. Then allow to sit out and dry. If you’re using a cedar oil, use a cloth to rub the oil into your cedar block.
What did we use to clean cedar planks?
We took our rags --very lightly damp--and wiped down the cedar planks on the walls and ceilings. The used rags showed off just how dusty and dirty the closet really was!
How much does it cost to bring a cedar closet back to life?
It is a feature of our home that I want to maintain. I look at it this way: it cost about $30 to bring this closet back to life, which is much less than any sweater I might have lost from those pesky moth holes!
Is it safe to wear a mask on cedar?
Cedar dust can be irritating to the throat and eyes, so it's better to be safe than sorry !
Does Eastern Red Cedar repel moths?
Eastern Red cedar (whether in closet, armoire or trunk form) requires maintenance to keep that signature aromatic scent working to repel pests like moths and silverfish that can damage wool and cashmere. Over time, the "pores" of the wood get plugged with dust, preventing fragrance from being released. Consider this whole project a facial for your cedar closet!
Ideas and Planning
Materials
- Gel Stain – I used two different colors: Varathane’s Red Mahogany, and Dark Walnut.
- Rags
- Zinsser’s Shellac SealCoat – I love this stuff for finishing pieces, since it can be reapplied in about an hour. Be aware that Zinsser sells three premixed shellacs. The SealCoat is the only one th...
- Gel Stain – I used two different colors: Varathane’s Red Mahogany, and Dark Walnut.
- Rags
- Zinsser’s Shellac SealCoat – I love this stuff for finishing pieces, since it can be reapplied in about an hour. Be aware that Zinsser sells three premixed shellacs. The SealCoat is the only one th...
- Denatured Alcohol– For thinning the shellac.
Cedar Chest Makeover
- Anytime I refinish a piece, I always test out my possible finishes on an inconspicuous part of the piece. For the cedar chest, this was on the back. I experimented with a couple different things, like the length of time the gel stain sat before wiping it off, sanding before applying the stain or not, brushing vs wiping on the topcoat, etc. This way, I know exactly how the finish will look before I …
FAQs
- No. It was secured between the cushion and the wood, and taking the cushion off the bench top seemed like a lot of work. So I just wrapped batting and fabric around the whole thing and called it a day. Maybe. This is actually the first time I’ve tufted anything before, and this is how I did it. It turned out nicely, so…. But I think if you tuft before stapling in place, the fabric will bunch/fold u…
Cost Considerations
- Given you already had the cedar chest, the rest of the project adds up as follows: It cost right around $50 to revive this cedar chest, and that was with having to purchase everything new. Many of these things (the stains and finish) are things I keep in inventory, so maybe you do too!
Final Thoughts
- I love how this turned out! It fits perfectly under the big window! I’m so glad my aunt thought to grab this for me for my birthday. Big thanks/shout out to her!! If you like it too, go ahead and save this post to Pinterestso you can find it again later!