KateHC:

Actually, that's bleach and ammonia.

Agreed it is ammonia/chlorine that make chlorine gas but chlorine mixed with vinegar is not a pleasant combo. I know - I accidentally did the same thing with the same products that cycler mentioned. I wiped a surface down with the Fantastic and then went over it with a bucket that was vinegar and water. I ended up with a bad headache and trouble breathing for a while even with all our windows open. You're right it's best to give it a rest, and a wipe down with plain water, between cleaners.

Some people do use vinegar and bleach together but here's a quick article about why we probably shouldn't do that:

 Yikes!  Thanks for adding that.  I had no idea.  All this time I thought I was fine because I don't use ammonia at all in the house...because of the pets, I try really hard to not do anything that has really vile fumes.

Since you are going to paint it, prime it first with KILZ. I had an insulation fire which smoke damage to wood floor boards. The SMELL was awful.

Restoration company advised painting well with KILZ...worked great. Here is website: www.kilz.com Try to get the one that is best for covering odor and

paint well. Good luck, Ruthellen

KateHC:

because of the pets, I try really hard to not do anything that has really vile fumes.

Me too! 3 cats here and DH and I are pretty sensitive to chemicals too. Can't stand bleach at all but we had the Fantastic in the house so I tried it on a stain when we moved in. I forgot the rinse water had vinegar in it. Bad choice but at least we were all ok.

The article within the article that I linked to is pretty scary - the mixture kills anthrax!! It's fine for biodefense experts with the biohazard suits to play with these mixtures but I only want a relatively clean home. Personally, I think we as a society are a little germ-phobic when we should be more chemical-phobic. All these chemical fumes are bad for the lungs, wreak havoc on allergy-sufferers and are just a little too scary for me to use in my home. (/end rant)

Sorry to highjack the thread cycler. I think that was an awesome find, especially for free! Good luck with geting it cleaned up and painted.

Kilz is a great idea - I've seen it in my hardware store but I thought that it was only to paint light over dark.

Not to worry - hijack happens!  I too don't use anything that has a scent because I am very sensitive. 

I won't use the vinegar.  Last night I put baking soda on the shelves and sealed the door shut.

I'm going to get the coffee hopefully tomorrow and then I'll take the baking soda out and put the coffee in and seal the door shut for about a week and then I'll paint it (Kilz first).

If that doesn't work I don't think anything will (except possibly an ionizer which might pay considering this is a gorgeous piece!)

This is a great forum - you are all so helpful!

Susan

Update - I bought coffee today (what was on sale) and I put the whole thing on paper towels on each shelf.

Now my apartment smells like a coffee shop but that is not bad!  I figure that I'll keep it there for a week and then see how it is.  Possibly air it out for a couple of days before painting.  Wood does absorb smells so even if it replaces what it was, it'll be much better.