Skip to main content

This TikTok hack for getting gross smells out of thrift store furniture is genius

We love this cheap and easy trick for removing old smells from secondhand furniture

If you love weekends spent scouring vintage stores for furniture pieces you can either refurbish or find a place for in your home but don’t love the smells that come with them, you’re not alone. Antique stores have a certain smell because, well, the items in them are old. With years of well-worn love and, oftentimes, storage, comes a smell that many want to get rid of. One TikToker called onceuponabungalow heard about the perfect (and super easy) way to get old smells out of pre-loved furniture from gocleanco, and you’ll be happy she’s shared her knowledge.

All you need is newspaper

The trick is simple. Just crumple up old newspapers and fill the shelves of old bookcases, cabinets, and vintage dinettes, and leave them in for up to a week. When you’re done, simply take the paper out, throw it away, and you’ll be rid of the aging smell that used to come from the shelves. Many agreed in the comments saying it’s the only trick they’ve used that’s helped get bad smells out of furniture. Of course, if it’s fabric, you can have it cleaned professionally as long as you know what type of fabric you’re working with, but for old wood pieces, newspaper will do the trick.

Other tips and tricks

Some of the other commenters on the post had a few other options that may get old smells out of furniture. One said to spray the furniture with vodka because “vodka kills all smells.” Another suggested charcoal briskets, and while that may work, it’s probably a messier alternative to newspaper. Still another recommended vinegar in a bowl placed inside a unit, but again, you may have to deal with spills, so make sure you have a dedicated space so your furniture is out of the way and it doesn’t get bumped.

Of course, people don’t get newspapers as often as they used to, but you can easily order them online through places like Amazon or from specific publications or save old junk mail that’s printed on similar types of paper. What’s even better is, apparently, according to the commenters, you can also use this trick for old sneakers, gym bags, and anything else in your home that takes on a foul smell — even the refrigerator.

So, what’s the reason behind the newspaper trick you may be wondering? It comes down to the carbon found in newsprint ink that is the source of magic, which strips the smells away once removed. So don’t throw away any newspapers that get delivered. You just may never know when you find that perfect vintage cabinet and need something to help it smell fresh and new.

Editors' Recommendations

Julie Scagell
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
4 secret TikTok kitchen spring cleaning tips everyone forgets
Clean, bright kitchen with seating

A sparkling clean kitchen at all times is what we all strive for (even if it isn’t always a reality). But while you might routinely mop the floors, sanitize the counters, wash down cabinets, and clean out the fridge, there are plenty of items and areas we all sometimes forget to clean.

Luckily, instead of facing that embarrassing moment when a guest discovers our dirty little secret (literally), we’ve got TikTok to remind us about those hidden, overlooked spaces. With these TikTok kitchen cleaning hacks, you’ll be able to get the job done correctly in no time.
Replace your microwave charcoal filter

Read more
Never lose track of your stuff again with this genius TikTok storage hack
best tiktok storage hack neat cozy containers

It’s happened to the best of us. You do everything right when it comes to spring cleaning and decluttering your home — you sort through everything, making piles of items to discard, donate, or store. But somehow, when the time comes to finally find your favorite wool sweater, the gravy boat you only use when your grandmother comes to dinner, or your snorkel gear, you find yourself sorting through a mess of boxes and bins.

With this TikTok storage hack, those days are over. Not only will you actually be able to find all of your stuff, but you can find it from the comfort of your own couch.
This is the best DIY storage hack we’ve seen
 This DIY storage hack from TikToker @emilyrayna is surprisingly simple, but so convenient.

Read more
How to get paint out of clothes and save your wardrobe
how to get paint out of clothes shutterstock 1760450252

When the dust settles on your painting project and you're admiring the finished result, you may not even notice the drips or smears of paint on your clothes. Once the paint dries on your clothes, however, your typical laundry process may not be enough to get those paint splashes out. Don't toss the garment out yet, though. We'll walk you through how to get dried paint out of clothes based on the type of paint used.

How to get paint out of clothes: Water-based paints
Water-based paints are some of the most common paints used in both arts and crafts as well as interior surface painting. The good news is it's also the type of paint that's easiest to get out of fabrics without staining. Here's how you do it.
How to get watercolor paint out of your clothes
Crafting is a great pastime, but it's also a messy one. If you get some of those watercolors on clothing, here's how to get it out.

Read more