How to Restore an Old Steamer Trunk in a Few Simple Steps

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Steamer trunk restoration project where I show you how to remove mildew odor, secure old labels and learn How to Restore an Old Steamer Trunk in a few simple steps. This antique trunk restoration project shows you how to restore an old trunk. 

If you need help with an old trunk restoration then follow along and see how to restore a steamer trunk.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for my full disclosure policy

What is a Steamer Trunk?

Have you heard of steamer trunks? Have you ever wondered what is a steamer trunk or what makes it different from any other wooden trunk or chest?

A steamer trunk actually got its name because it was designed to be used aboard a steamship, also known as a “steamer”. These sturdy wooden travel chests were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s for those traveling long distances aboard these ships. Which is exactly where this particular antique trunk came from. 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Wise Owl and contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for my full disclosure policy. 

Antique Trunk Restoration

When restoring an old trunk you will need a few things to make the trunk restoration go easier. The condition of your steamer trunk will determine how much work it needs. In general, these are the things that you will need:

Materials Needed / Source List:

• Shop-Vac
• Furniture Dollies
• OdoBan
• Mod Podge
• Wax Brush
• Wise Owl Lemon Salve
• Clean Rag or Old T-shirt

History of a Steamer Trunk

This old antique chest is a true family heirloom. It had been used by my husband’s great-grandparents as wardrobe trunks as they traveled back and forth between Italy and Staten Island. Many of the vintage labels are still visible on the trunk. The multiple trips between New York and Europe took a toll on this wooden chest leaving evidence of its history as well, making it that much more important to be restored.

A steamer trunk restoration is easier than you may think once you tackle a few obstacles. There are always a few obstacles. In the case of this steamer chest here are the main issues:

• spider webs
• mildew odor
• labels falling off

Restoring an Old Trunk

Let’s address these issues and small repairs.

The first thing you want to do is clean off as much of the dust and spider webs, and basic yuck as you can. Grab your shop vac and thoroughly vacuum all of that crud off of this old trunk. Don’t forget to tilt the trunk or lay it down to get underneath. I avoid using the house vacuum for things like this and use a shop vac dedicated to these furniture projects. The thought of antique spiderwebs in the vacuum that cleans my living room grosses me out. If you don’t have a shop vac you can find one (here)

Also, you want to remove some of the dust while not damaging the already delicate wood. Lightly brush the wooden travel chest with a dry paintbrush to ‘dust off’ the dust and dirt. Do not sand or scrub the wood.

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How to Remove Mildew Odor From Wood

This step is a little harder than the first. This antique steamer trunk started with such a strong mildew odor from water damage that I would not allow it into my home. It had spent many years in a basement after all of its trips back and forth to Europe. Words can’t describe how bad the trunk smell was. There are numerous methods for how to remove mildew smell from wood. I’m sharing my method.

The first step to rid this large steamer trunk of the stench is to air it out. I left the trunk in my storage unit for a couple of months with the lid open before bringing it into the shop. This helped but certainly did not do the job completely. If possible, let the old steamer trunk sit in sunlight to air out as well. Make sure not to leave it outside where it could get rained on though.

My next step is to spray the vintage steamer trunk with OdoBan.

Odoban is a spray disinfectant and odor eliminator. It is not magic, but it helps.

The inside of the wooden chest is lightly sprayed with OdoBan. Do not drench the wood.

This will take a few rounds. Over the course of at least a few days, lightly spray the inside of the wooden trunk multiple times. Make sure to let the spray dry completely before spraying again. You can find OboBan (here) 

Secure Loose Vintage Labels

The vintage steamer trunk is covered in many of the original labels. Most are brittle and falling off. The goal is to safely preserve as many of these old labels as possible while also preserving the original construction of the antique trunk.   

Grab your Mod Podge and a small paintbrush.

Very gently apply the Mod Podge underneath the loose labels paper edging. 

Next, press the label down and apply more Mod Podge over the labels.

Let the Mod Podge dry completely.

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How to Restore a Steamer Trunk

Now that the small obstacles are out of the way we can focus on the important part, the steamer trunk restoration. My good friend Thea has been raving about her Wise Owl Lemon Verbena and how great it smells and works. Wise Owl was kind enough to send me some Lemon Verbena Furniture Salve to try out for myself. If you’d like to try it too, you can get some (here).

Since this is a furniture salve product I do not want to use the same brush that I would use with my paint. So make sure to use a brush dedicated just to this type of application. Im using a wax type brush. You can find this kind of brush (here).

Using your dedicated brush apply the lemon verbena to this beautiful piece of furniture, including the inside of the steamer trunk.

Work the furniture salve into the wood slats as well as gently apply it over the labels.

The Wise Owl lemon verbena conditions, seals and protects the wood. But unlike wax, it does not harden leaving a softer and heavenly-smelling result. This furniture salve is made with hemp seed oil, natural waxes, cold-pressed lavender essential oil, and lemon verbena oils. Plus other awesome natural goodness that adds to the strength and superpowers of the salve. 

You can see here how much of a difference the verbena makes on the steamer trunk. What a difference, right? As an added bonus you can even use Wise Owl lemon verbena on the metal work of the steamer. 

Classic steamer trunks may have leather handles, or in the case of this vintage trunk, simple rope handles. Whichever type your trunk has try to keep the original handles and hardware if possible. Keeping as much of the trunk in its original condition will preserve the vintage and unique look of the trunk. 

Watch the Complete Restoration in the Video

Here is a pre-recorded video done live on Facebook. It’s approximately 30 minutes long, but you are able to fast-forward as needed or hang out for the whole video. Many questions can be answered by watching the video, or at least I hope they are. This video will confirm that using the verbena is the best way to achieve a naturally cleaner look on your steamer trunk restoration. 

Antique Trunk Restoration

Once the Wise Owl verbena is applied to the entire steamer trunk make sure to go back and buff any excess salve with an old T-shirt.

Especially on the metal areas since the product does not absorb into the metal. But here’s a fun fact: Apply and buff well where it’s very dirty to remove the oxidation from metal and remove dirt and debris. How cool!

Click here to get Wise Owl verbena. If you would like to check out all of Wise Owls products, including the chalk synthesis paint, primer, wax, glazes, sealers, and more you can find them all here: Wise Owl Products.

If you are a furniture restorer or furniture painter you should also check out How to Save Wooden Drawers with Lemon Verbena. 

Restoring an Old Steamer Trunk in a Few Simple Steps

How easy was that? Restored and revived while still preserving age and history. This refurbished steamer trunk can now continue on in our home with a new life. My only condition is that it does NOT get filled with toys!

Love steamer trunks but prefer to avoid the restoration process. Looking for a newer version. Find steamer trunks for sale (here)

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