Question from Catherine Triplett
Hi Debra,
I first want to thank you for your resource over the years.
About fifteen years ago my parents returned from living in India, and with them came furniture they used when they were there, and they had given me a few items as well.
After my mom passed away my dad told me that a wicker dresser he had in his home (finished basement) had been treated for woodworms while living in India. His housekeeper bought some very strong smelling liquid in a medal can and applied it with a brush and then had to wash it down. My dad said the smell was so strong they had to keep it outside for a few days. I always felt there was a strange smell in his basement, and I am sure that is what it is.
My dad recently passed away and I was given a few old plates from the wall in his home, antique books, and framed artwork (print I think) as well as a very old dresser from the 1800’s.
I am not sure if the toxic dresser housed in his basement could have somehow affected these other pieces as they were probably moved together at some point when they purchased a new home shortly after returning from oversees. I have removed the items I know for a fact were in his flat in Madras, but I am not sure if I should have the other items are safe to display in my home.
I know this sounds complicated, but it is not easy to toss items that were in my parents home as easily as other items, but on the flip side, I have children and I want a safe home.
Debra’s Answer
It’s impossible for me to know what your father’s housekeeper used decades ago in another country, But from your description it sounds like some toxic substance. I don’t know anything about regulations in India, but it’s possible that a toxic substance banned here may be used there. I just don’t have the information.
If it were me, if there were any doubt, I would not have the items in my house if there were any question. I know it’s difficult to make this decision, but better safe than sorry, particularly when there is missing information.
Good post and very good tips for help generation of the new World. I am sure these tips will help them.
Great! Love them. Except for the one with the pattern. But I love the solid colors and wear them every day.
The items in question, if I’m understanding correctly, are: plates (decorative, not for food), books, framed art, and an antique dresser. Is it possible that some of it could be salvaged and you’d be able to keep it for the meaning it holds for you, while letting the other items go? The plates, for instance — are they porcelain, glass, stoneware? If they are something that isn’t very porous, I would think they could be washed to remove any residue of anything toxic — if by “toxic” we’re referring to whatever was used on the dresser that was likely toxic. On the flip side, if the plates are painted, there’s a possible risk of lead in the paint/glaze. Do you have more info about what the plates are actually made of? I would definitely not eat off of these plates, but if they would be decorative, perhaps they could be saved? But again, if they are colorfully painted, I would probably be more comfortable just throwing them out, since I would want to avoid lead dust that could harm children (even if the plates were only used decoratively).
Books are more tricky, since paper more easily absorbs odors. I have difficulty with library books sometimes, because they pick up all the fragrances from all the homes they circulate through before I bring them to my home. Perhaps there is a way to remove odors from them, but I don’t know what that would be. So if it were me, that’s probably an item I’d let go of.
Regarding the framed art, can you detect any odor? Does it have a chemical smell? Is the print behind glass, or is it more like a canvas? It seems this would make a difference, since glass would potentially protect the art itself from picking up chemical fumes, whereas canvas would absorb it. If the size isn’t too large, and it’s a canvas rather than behind glass, perhaps you could try using carbon fabric or bamboo carbon shelf liner (the latter is sold on Amazon) and wrap the canvas in it for a while and see if it soaks up any lingering odor. It might be worth a try if it’s something very valuable to you. The frame itself, if wood, would also probably soak up chemical odors, but it could be replaced.
I’d be uncomfortable keeping the dresser from the 1800’s. That’s a long time, with lots of unknowns about what has been applied to it over all those years. I have read that antique furniture often has high levels of lead — something about the finish they used back then, I think. I would imagine that a dresser that old would also be very musty. As Debra said, lots of missing information, especially about a dresser so old.
All of that to say this: maybe you could pick one of the items, specifically one which might have a chance of being detoxed, and let go of the others. I know it’s a hard choice to make when we’re at that point between sentiment for the past and looking out for our children.