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Cleaning Inside and Out
To restore your cedar chest, start by removing all hardware from the chest that will be cleaned separately. The body of the chest can then be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water, applied with a soft cloth. Most times this approach will do the trick, unless mildew is present. ̶0;Mildew is a common cause of graying and discoloration of cedar,̶1; says William C. Feist, Supervisory Research Chemist for the Society of Wood Science and Technology. Feist suggests using a commercial mildew cleaner or a liquid household bleach containing 5 percent sodium hypochlorite. Feist further suggests that aggressive scrubbing with a caustic cleaner can actually remove wood from the surface and all commercial products should be used with caution. Mineral spirits, which is a mild solvent, can also effectively clean and restore the wood.
Reviving the Smell
If the smell of your cedar chest is waning, there are a few solutions. One of the least expensive and easiest ways to refresh the smell of an old cedar chest is to lightly sand the interior. Using coarse sandpaper, sand along the grain of the wood, and vacuum out the dust. Applying cedar oil to the inside of the chest will help to resurrect the desired fragrance, as will placing cedar blocks inside and keeping the lid closed for several days.
Avoiding the Elements
It is generally good practice to keep your cedar chest out of the sun and away from other locations that support extreme conditions. Basements, garages and sunny windows are not safe havens due to the levels of moisture and sunlight. "Air and sunlight work together to clog the tiny pores of the cedar," says builder and woodworker Tim Carter. ̶0;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.̶1;