Most traditional
In addition to repelling insects, the oils in red cedar wood prevents the spread of mold and mildew.
The best benefit of the odor is how it can repel insects and other unwanted pests such as moths. Moths are known for being destroyers of wool, because they reproduce by laying their eggs in the irresistible soils that are part of the fabric. Essentially, cedar acts as a force field for your wool coats and sweaters.
History and Significance of Cedar Chests
Traditionally used to store clothes and linens, they were treasured possessions passed down from generation to generation. Cedar wood was vital, as its natural oils acted as a natural insect repellent, protecting garments from moths and other pests.
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.
Although cedar lasts a long time under ideal conditions and treatment, it tends to degrade more quickly when it's used for ground-level decks, and if it's shaded, it will slowly dry out.
With cedar's natural ability to keep bugs at bay, it's safe to store heirloom items inside a cedar chest like handmade quilts, blankets, clothing and keepsakes you've inherited. It's important to note that bed bugs won't eat or damage wood, they cannot chew wood or fabric.
Thanks to cedar wood's amazing water resistance properties you don't need to fear mold growing inside of your chest. Decay resistant – Your cedar chest will not rot away with age.
So we took the question to the experts who manufacture cedar chests, and here is what they had to say: It's OK to put photos in the chest as long as they are stored in an archival box with acid-free paper. Don't let the photos touch the wood itself, as it's acidic and could ruin the photos.
While these are all nice, cedar chests should be avoided when housing your artifacts; historic textiles; wedding dresses, christening dresses, or uniforms, or any other family heirloom. As wood ages, it gives off an acid, which in the museum world is called 'off-gassing,' that reacts poorly with other objects.
Uncoated cedar (our specialty) absorbs moisture, preventing creases and cracks to preserve the shape of your shoes. By using shoe trees made from cedarwood, you can actually extend the life of your shoes by up to 50%.
Unfortunately, the effectiveness of cedar chests in repelling clothes moths is overstated. Not that cedar doesn't work, it just doesn't work for very long, or very well. The heartwood of red cedar does contain volatile oils that will kill clothes moth larvae…
The best way to store clothes in storage is to place all your clothes in airtight plastic containers with clip-on lids. These will protect your clothes from moisture, dust, mould and mildew. Make sure you give your plastic containers a good clean and dry them thoroughly before you place any clothes inside.
The nature aroma of cedar has kept garments hole-free and smelling fresh for centuries. And not only does it repel pests like moths and roaches, it also resists mildew that can ruin fabrics. To use cedar to its fullest, you should line a whole closet with it.
An old cedar chest's worth is based on its age, condition or rarity -- starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more. If the hardware is original then it is worth more and can fetch about $200 to $400.
For basic cleaning use furniture polish and wipe in the direction of the wood grain. If you have some mold or mildew spots try Murphy's Oil Soap or white vinegar. Apply with a lint-free cloth. If your hope chest still isn't clean, add ⅛” cup of TSP cleaner and one dump of bleach to a gallon of water.
Moore says, "Do not store any textiles in cedar chests for long periods of time unless they are protected in another plastic bin or acid-free tissue." Cedar can also leach color onto fabric over time, which is another good reason to make sure all clothing is properly protected, even if it's only stored for a season.
How can bed bugs get into my home? They can come from other infested areas or from used furniture. They can hitch a ride in luggage, purses, backpacks, or other items placed on soft or upholstered surfaces. They can travel between rooms in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment complexes and hotels.
Natural deterrent: Due to the cedar's significant repelling properties, it naturally deters a number of insects. This includes adult clothing moths, clothing moth larvae, silverfish, termites, carpet beetles and cockroaches.
Signs of Bed Bugs in Furniture
Red or black stains appear on furniture, especially in hard-to-reach areas like crevices, sides, backsides, mattress seams, bed frames, and wood frames.
Our results suggest that plicatic acid, a unique constituent of cedar wood, and abietic acid, the major constituent in pine resin, can produce lytic damage to alveolar, tracheal, and bronchial epithelial cells.
Cedar is the more expensive of the two for several reasons. Pine is a more abundant wood because it's easier to grow and replenish. Cedar's higher durability also leads to suppliers charging more for that wood.
Cedar trees release a large quantity of pollen in the air and have unique pollination patterns. Instead of pollinating in the spring -- like most other trees -- cedar and Ashe juniper trees pollinate in the winter. They release their pollen in the air immediately following a cold front.