What can be safely stored in a cedar chest?

Cedar chests are used to store everyday items such as blankets, sheets and clothing at the change of seasons. Photographs and other memorabilia Can also be stored safely in a cedar chest.

Cedar chests are lovely and they smell good. But textiles in direct contact with cedar can be damaged by the acid. The solution is to Wrap the textiles in unbleached muslin (available at fabric stores) before putting them in the chest. You also can drape muslin over that wedding dress or other fine clothes on hangers.

Cedar wood and bug bugs don’t mix. Along with its lovely red-brown shades, strength and rustic warmth, cedar gets a boost from its natural oils that will likely give bed bugs the boot.

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!

Excessive moisture or humidity Can make any piece of wood furniture smell foul after a while. Vacuum inside the chest, and wipe the inside and outside with a lint-free dust cloth. Air the chest out, ideally outdoors, on a non-humid day. A screened porch is perfect, as it helps keep the chest as clean as possible.

Old Lane cedar chests sell from $100 to about $700 depending on the age, condition and whether the hardware is original. Most are worth about $200 to $400. Cedar chests made before 1987 have lids that automatically latch shut when closed, which poses a suffocation risk to children.

18 Fantastic and Creative Ways Uses for a Cedar Chest

1. Coffee table. Coffee tables provide the perfect spot to rest your cup of Joe while relaxing after a long day. …
2. Nightstand for a Bedroom. Nightstands are ever so handy! …
3. TV Console. …
4. End of the Bed. …
5. Entry Way. …
6. A Catch-all – Organization Space. …
7. Resilient Storage. …
8. Window Seat.

A relatively new, well-made cedar chest can protect from clothes moths for a while, as long as it is kept tightly closed and the items are not already infested when placed inside. Studies have suggested that even a new cedar chest kills only small clothes moth larvae, not larger larvae, eggs, or pupae.

Unfortunately, modern research seems to suggest that The cedar wood used in new cedar chests may be toxic for a while, but as the wood ages, it loses its toxicity to the pests.

A Couple of Considerations

Clothing stored in cedar closets can take on a mild cedar odor, which usually fades in a few hours of being removed from the closet.

Cedar also has a drying effect and Will help prevent mold and mildew from forming. It is the “natural,” organic solution to protecting fabrics like wool and is preferred by many homeowners over pesticide or chemical treatments.

Cedar wood does not attract insects and bugs. In fact, the wood contains a natural oil that automatically repels insects and bugs including moths, woodworms, mosquitoes and other insects. The natural oil also repels rodents including rats and mice.

Lacquer is the best topcoat for cedar chest finishing. Most contemporary cabinets, trim and interior woodwork are finished with lacquer. Lacquer dries fast, lays down flat and it’s durable. Spray it over any type of stain after it’s dry.

Lacquer is the best topcoat for cedar chest finishing. Most contemporary cabinets, trim and interior woodwork are finished with lacquer. Lacquer dries fast, lays down flat and it’s durable. Spray it over any type of stain after it’s dry.

The answer is, Yes, linseed oil is one the most recommended finishes for cedar woods. For a reason that it thrives on humid weather and reduces the sunlight damage. Ideally suited for patio furniture as they need extra care from weather, so it is an ideal solution.

As 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. You can do it more frequently if its fragrance fades quickly.

Lightly sand the wood inside the chest with a fine-grade sandpaper, which will release a fresh cedar smell. Then vacuum up the wood residue, and wipe with a microfiber cloth to get rid of dust. To revive the cedar smell, add a bit of cedar-wood oil on a small area of the inside of the lid.

Cover-Up. Instead of sealing the cedar odor away, you can effectively remove the cedar smell by Replacing it with a stronger fragrance. For a traditional approach, place a pouch of potpourri or a sachet in each drawer. As an alternate, store a strongly scented soap in each dresser drawer.

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.

You might need a flashlight to see, but the back of the lock should only have three screws you can remove with a screwdriver, or the body of the lock may be mortised into the chest. If a morticed lock won’t release its hold on the lid, Use a screwdriver to pry it from side to side until the lock lifts off with the lid.

The average size of a cedar chest is around 42” long and 20” high and wide. Overall, the cost of your cedar chest could increase by approximately $305 depending upon your desired size.

Absolutely. This item has the green light, so go ahead and set right in your chest. If you might want to provide some cushion in between the glass, avoid using newspaper or plastic bags, especially if you play to store other items, like textiles, in the same space. Try cotton fabric or acid free tissue paper instead.