Hi. I'm hoping someone can help me... as I am clueless!

Last summer, my husband and I rescued an old family dresser from his parents' garage that they were going to throw out. We hastily wiped it down with a dry cloth and moved it into a spare room.

Needless to say, I am just now getting back to it. The drawer bottoms are made of a thin board.. not plywood (as I think it is older than that) but about the same thickness. As I am looking at it, I can see evidence of old (nonactive) mildew and mold. How can I clean this dresser's drawers so that the old mildew and mold are not harmful AND so that neither of them return?

I was wondering if I need to seal the wood? If so, exactly what should I use? Do I seal just the bottoms and sides of the drawers? Should I line the drawers with paper?

It's not in particularly good condition, and we have other heirlooms, so I don't want to baby it like an antique; I just want to make it usable. Thank you for any ideas or suggestions!

Hello Taupe,
Take the drawers that are effected out side or in the basement and mix some bleach and water of an equal mix and using a scrub brush clean the effected portions but, don't saturate the wood only dampen it as you use the brush with some bleach water on it as you scrub.
allow to dry and re insert them where they belong and enjoy your dresser. By the way look it over very closely and don't remove any paper tags or labels. Also look for a makers mark in any inconspicuous place.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones