Inside of Kitchen Wood Cabinet has odor

I moved into an old house that seems to have cedar interiors in the kitchen, the interior is unfinished. It makes anything I store in there smell awful. It doesnt even smell like cedar, it has an awful rotten nasty smell, it is hard to describe almost as bad as old pet urine. I am sensitive to odors, so this is really driving me crazy. Ive tried Fabreeze which has a "perfumey" smell and I am also allergic to, but I was desperate, that didnt work. I tried washing the wood with baking soda and water, the smell got worse! So bad you could smell it all over the house. I tried washing down with lysol, nothing. A red color comes out on the sponge or anything I use to clean it with, the water in the bucket turns red. If I put my plastic utensils in there I have to wash them all with soapy water before using to take the smell away.
What to do??? please help!

 

Cedar is an aromatic wood. It is typically used for lining closets and for making chests for storing clothing because it is touted to keep moths at bay. It would pose problems if used for kitchen cabinets. Food items and, as you say, plastic will absorb odors. The only thought that comes to mind is to seal the interior surfaces. patricia@twelvepole.com

 

You might want to try sitting a pie pan full of scented cat litter in each cabinet. Refresh the cat litter every few days.

 

I was thinking that painting, shellac might be the only way to go...I will try that and get back to you with the results. I dont know what my landlord was thinking when he used cedar in the kitchen cabinets. I even tried lining the shelves so that the utensils would not come in direct contact. The ONLY thing that seems to aleviate the problems is leaving the cabinets wide open, even then, there is still a lingering odor. I am going nuts because I am unable to store my dry goods (unless they are in glass jars)or Tupperware! I am going to keep checking back in case someone comes up with something else, Im also going to try the cat litter.
Thank you!!

 

We too bought an older house built in 1960 and I am sure we have the same odor you are describing. I am going crazy over it. It is in our bathroom cabinet as well. Please let me know what you have decided to do with your cabinets and if it works. I may have to talk my husband into remodeling the whole kitchen cabinets.
Thank you

 

could it be moisture issues from the bathroom.

is there a exhaust fan in there?

 

No we dont have an exhaust fan in the bathroom, we will be remodeling soon though. The same odor is in our kitchen cabinets as well and that is the biggest problem. We would like to keep those cabinets.

 

i would try prepping the wood and staining and sealing

I would also suggest putting in exhaust fans they will help with moisture and odor control. Most are affordable: a good rule of thumb is to get a fan with a rated cfm 2X the actual sq footage

 

All I can do is sympathize because I bought an antique armoire and after having it home a couple of days found it also had an unpleasant odor. The stregnth varies and I have no idea what to do about it either...it's not made from cedar will check back to this subject to see if anyone has any other ideas - thanks