Let me kick this off by saying something every cigar box supplier knows too well—even the most beautifully crafted new wooden cigar boxes can carry that distinct, sometimes overpowering, new wood and resin smell that lingers the second you pull them from their packaging. For years, I’ve heard customers say they love our boxes for the tight dovetail joints, premium solid cedar, and hand-sanded finishes, but they hate that initial smell makes their favorite cigars pick up off-notes that ruin the smoking experience. I won’t pretend this is some magic fix; after testing dozens of methods in our workshop over the past 12 years, I can share the science-backed, hands-on solutions that work, no gimmicks, no harsh chemicals, just what we use to prep our own custom boxes before they leave our warehouse. Wooden Cigar Box
First, let’s get clear on why that new wood smell happens. Cedar is our go-to material because it’s naturally resistant to pests and has a mild, earthy scent, but when it’s freshly milled and assembled, the lignin and resin in the wood’s cells haven’t fully cured. Think of it like a new couch or a pair of leather boots—those are just volatile organic compounds (VOCs) releasing as the material settles. For cigar boxes, that smell isn’t harmful, but it’s strong enough to transfer to cigars stored inside, especially over the first few weeks. That’s why we started prioritizing smell reduction in our pre-shipment process, and here’s what actually works, ordered from the simplest (and least intrusive) to the more targeted if the smell is extra strong.
The first method we almost always recommend is the “air and time” method, and it’s perfect for most boxes. Here’s how we do it at the workshop: take the new wooden cigar box, remove any tissue paper we might have tucked inside for shipping protection, and leave it open in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area for 7 to 10 days. We avoid direct sunlight, by the way—UV rays can fade the wood’s finish over time, and too much heat can make the resin smell worse instead of better. A shaded porch, a storage shelf away from radiators, or even inside a closed room with a box fan running on low works great. We test this method on every sample box we make for potential wholesale clients, and 8 out of 10 times, the smell fades enough for safe cigar storage. The science behind this is simple: VOCs evaporate over time when exposed to moving air, so letting the wood breathe naturally is the safest, most low-effort fix. If you’re in a hurry, though, this might not be enough—that’s where our next steps come in.
If the smell is still noticeable after a week, or if you need to prep a box for a custom order fast, the next method we swear by is baking soda, and it’s gentle enough not to damage the cedar or any finish. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber—its porous surface traps odor molecules without adding any scent of its own. Here’s our step-by-step process: take a clean, dry container (a plastic bin or even a disposable aluminum tray works), pour 1 to 2 cups of plain, unflavored baking soda into the bottom, then place the open wooden cigar box upside down on the baking soda. Make sure the inside of the box isn’t touching the baking soda—we always set it on small wooden blocks or even clean wooden spoons to create a gap between the box’s interior and the soda. Then cover the whole bin tightly with a lid and leave it for 3 to 5 days. When you take it out, wipe the inside lightly with a dry, lint-free cloth, and the smell should be almost gone. We’ve used this for bulk orders of 50+ boxes for small cigar shops, and not a single customer has complained about residual smell. We never use scented baking soda— that would just add another odor we’d have to get rid of, and it’s unnecessary when plain baking soda works perfectly.
For the stubborn, extra-strong cases—like boxes that sat in a damp shipping container for a long time and picked up a musty new wood smell—we use white vinegar, but again, we do it the right way to avoid any leftover vinegar scent. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that neutralizes odor molecules instead of just absorbing them, which makes it stronger for tougher smells. Here’s what we do: fill a small bowl with white distilled vinegar (about ½ cup is enough for a standard wooden cigar box), place the open box next to the bowl in a sealed container (the same kind of bin we used for baking soda), and leave it for 24 hours. Then take the box out and let it air for another 2 days before testing the smell. The key here is not to leave the vinegar in direct contact with the wood, which is why we keep it in a separate bowl—we’ve seen people make the mistake of pouring vinegar inside the box, and then they’re stuck with vinegar smell for weeks. We also make sure the container is sealed, so the vinegar’s fumes circulate inside the bin and neutralize the wood’s VOCs without escaping. This is a bit more hands-on, so we only recommend it when the first two methods don’t work, but it’s never damaged a box in our workshop, as long as you don’t overdo the time.
Wait, a quick note: we never use any chemical cleaners, sanding too aggressively, or even harsh soaps. Sanding can remove the wood’s natural cedar scent, leaving it smelling like unfinished pine instead, and soaps leave residue that can transfer to cigars, which is a big no-no for anyone who stores premium cigars. We also avoid methods that use citrus peels or coffee grounds as odor absorbers? Wait, no—wait, let me adjust that, because some people use those, but we’ve tested them and they can leave their own scents. A friend of mine tried putting coffee grounds in a box, and even after a week, his cigars smelled like coffee, which he hated. So we stick to the methods that are neutral and won’t alter the box’s natural scent.
Now, a big part of what we do as a wooden cigar box supplier is prepping our boxes before they ship, so we don’t just send boxes with that strong new wood smell in the first place. We’ve modified our production line over the years to minimize odor from the start: we let assembled boxes sit in our climate-controlled warehouse for 10 days before packaging for shipping, we use a low-VOC water-based finish that cures faster than traditional oil finishes, and we line a small portion of our custom boxes with cedar paper that’s already been aired out. That’s why a lot of our wholesale customers tell us they can take our boxes straight from the box and use them the same day, whereas boxes from other suppliers take weeks.
But we still get questions all the time from individual buyers who bought a single box from a small shop or online, and are dealing with that smell. So for those people, here’s a pro tip we picked up from a master cigar roller who used to work at a shop in Miami: once the smell is gone, you can season the box with a few cigars that are a bit more robust (like maduro wrappers) to build up that nice, mellow cedar-cigar scent that everyone loves. Just don’t use premium cigars to season it—save those for later. Place 2 or 3 cigars inside the box for a week, and they’ll help the cedar absorb the cigar oils, creating that perfect balance that makes cigar boxes worth using.
I should also address a common myth: some people think the smell is toxic. It’s not. The VOCs in new cedar are low-level and not harmful to humans, but they are strong enough to transfer to cigars, which is why it’s a problem for cigar lovers. We always tell customers that if they’re in a pinch, even leaving the box open on their kitchen counter for a few days will help, as long as they don’t let dust get inside.
Now, if you’re a small cigar shop, a online hobbyist, or someone who needs bulk wooden cigar boxes for custom storage, I want to make this easy for you. I’ve spent years perfecting these odor solutions, and as a supplier, we offer pre-seasoned boxes for an extra small fee, or we can help you customize a prep method that fits your timeline. If you’re looking to source high-quality, solid cedar cigar boxes that are ready to use, feel free to reach out to our team to discuss your order needs—we work with everyone from small independent cigar shops to large national retailers, and we’re happy to walk you through every step, from choosing the right box to prepping it for use.
Before I wrap up, let’s recap the key points so you don’t have to remember them all: first, try air and time for 7 to 10 days, that’s the safest and easiest. If that’s not enough, use plain baking soda for 3 to 5 days. For tough smells, use white vinegar for 24 hours, then air for 2 more days. Never use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning, and always test the smell before storing cigars, to make sure it’s safe.
I know how important it is to have a good cigar box— it’s not just storage, it’s part of the experience. That’s why we put so much care into every box we make, and why we’ve spent so much time testing these solutions. If you have any questions about prepping your box, or if you’re interested in ordering wooden cigar boxes for your business or personal use, don’t hesitate to connect with our team to talk through your needs.
Wooden Wedding Gift Box References:
- ASTM International. (2020). Standard Practice for Evaluating Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Wood-Based Products. ASTM D6670-20.
- Cigar Association of America. (2022). Best Practices for Cigar Storage and Humidification. CAA Industry Guideline 4.
- Wood Science and Technology Center. (2019). Odor Reduction Methods for Solid Wood Furniture and Packaging. USDA Forest Service Report FSR-24.
- International Standards Organization. (2021). Natural Odor Control for Sustainable Packaging. ISO 16000-9:2021.
Shandong Pan Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd.
With abundant experience, we are one of the most professional wooden cigar box manufacturers in China. We warmly welcome you to wholesale premium wooden cigar box for sale here from our factory. All customized products are with high quality and competitive price.
Address: Xicheng Huijin Financial Center, located approximately 99 meters northeast of the intersection of Hechang Road and Jining Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China.
E-mail: pan_trade@hotmail.com
WebSite: https://www.panwoodcraft.com/
