Lightly sanding the wood with fine-grit sandpaper ought to renew the scent. Just be aware that some people are bothered by cedar dust, which can cause temporary dermatitis or respiratory problems.
A very simple solution is to purchase cedar shavings at a lumberyard in your area that carries aromatic cedar – not what cedar fences are made from. Take the shavings and make sachets using old nylon stockings, cheesecloth or muslin, attach ribbons and hang the sachets in your closet.
Fortunately, cedar that has lost its scent can be restored by simply sanding the exposed wood surfaces lightly. (Likewise, a cedar sachet used in a drawer needs only to be pinched a bit to release a fresh scent from the wood shavings inside.)
Never, never finish a cedar closet with varnish, urethane or any sealer. This coating will block the cedar scent. If your old closet still does not have a strong enough cedar scent to satisfy you, you can treat the wood with natural cedar oils. Such oil is available from Giles & Kendall in Huntsville, Alabama.
Certain oils work best with specific wood types, and the preferred oil for cedar is linseed oil. This slow-drying oil gives cedar a luxurious shine that subtly avoids that overly glossy look. It sinks deep into the wood creating a rich, supple finish. Teak oil is a popular runner-up for cedar.
Needs maintenance.
Cedar wood for closets should be oiled once or twice a year to keep the material fresh.
Uncoated, weathered cedar can often be restored to its original color by applying commercial products called cleaners, brighteners or restorers. Although intended primarily for restoring horizontal wood surfaces, they generally work almost as well on vertical surfaces.
Cedar is a long-lasting repellant, but if the cedar chips or blocks are older than three years, they need to be replaced. Lavender is another natural repellant you may consider using in your custom closets.
Initially, when cedar blocks are fresh, their moth-repelling properties are at their peak. Over time, however, the intensity of the scent diminishes, which can reduce their effectiveness against moths. Typical Effective Lifespan: Generally, cedar blocks remain effective for about one to three years.
The prospect of a cedar tree regaining its health largely depends on the severity of the issue and the timely application of appropriate remedies. In many cases, with proper care and intervention, cedar trees can recover. However, it's crucial to act promptly and enlist the help of professionals when needed.
Conclusion. Cedar rings are a natural and effective way to keep your clothes smelling fresh and free from pests. While the lifespan of cedar rings can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the wood and the storage environment, they can last for up to two years or more with proper care.
Staining will prevent fading of the color and help preserve the natural beauty of the wood. It is also advisable to use oil-based paint to furnish your cedar. The oil-based paint has a high pigment content so that it will last longer than water-based paints.
A cedar-lined closet can be a great way to give a space a clean smell and even offer protection against fabric-damaging insects, like moths. Store-bought cedar lining kits, as well as cedar planks, can be found at most home improvement stores and are often easy to install.
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!
Cedar chests typically dry out the items that are stored within them, which is fine if it's clothing or paper. But you don't want a leather bag to dry out or it could become brittle and crack. Because of the potential for damage, it's best not to keep leather bags—or shoes or belts—in a cedar chest.
Because cedar wood (and many other wood products for that matter) is highly acidic. As the wood ages, it off gasses acids. And when those acids come into physical contact with your garments, the acids could possibly yellow your garments and deteriorate the fibers.
If sanding doesn't have enough effect, rub cedar oil into the wood. The oil (available from Giles & Kendall) will replenish the wood's smell and enhance its appearance, at least for a while.
For nearly all situations, treat Cedar with a penetrating oil such as Wood-X. Oil works like moisturiser for Cedar, deeply replenishing the natural oils and keeping the Cedar protected – and looking great – for many years to come.
It is proven that textured surfaces hold coatings better than smooth surfaces. If the smooth face of Western Red Cedar is the graded face and the exposed face, light sanding will improve the performance of any finish.
Cedar balls or cedar blocks are a popular addition to cedar-lined closets, providing an extra layer of protection and aroma. However, the strength of their scent and effectiveness against pests will gradually fade over time. Typically, cedar balls can last up to one or two years.
Tim Inman: On the inside of the cedar chest, I would use no finish. On the outside, use whatever finish you like. If you feel you do need something on the inside to make the surface more "snag-free," try this: Dilute some shellac to about one part shellac and 3 or 4 parts alcohol. Apply this liberally to the cedar.
Cedar controls the growth of mold and mildew by keeping the closet at a low moisture level.