{"id":3449,"date":"2026-10-08T11:57:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T03:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/?p=3449"},"modified":"2026-10-08T11:57:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T03:57:07","slug":"how-to-remove-the-smell-from-a-new-wooden-cigar-box-4bff-396882","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/08\/how-to-remove-the-smell-from-a-new-wooden-cigar-box-4bff-396882\/","title":{"rendered":"How to remove the smell from a new wooden cigar box?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let me kick this off by saying something every cigar box supplier knows too well\u2014even 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\u2019ve 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\u2019t 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<\/a><\/p>\n

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First, let\u2019s get clear on why that new wood smell happens. Cedar is our go-to material because it\u2019s naturally resistant to pests and has a mild, earthy scent, but when it\u2019s freshly milled and assembled, the lignin and resin in the wood\u2019s cells haven\u2019t fully cured. Think of it like a new couch or a pair of leather boots\u2014those are just volatile organic compounds (VOCs) releasing as the material settles. For cigar boxes, that smell isn\u2019t harmful, but it\u2019s strong enough to transfer to cigars stored inside, especially over the first few weeks. That\u2019s why we started prioritizing smell reduction in our pre-shipment process, and here\u2019s what actually works, ordered from the simplest (and least intrusive) to the more targeted if the smell is extra strong.<\/p>\n

The first method we almost always recommend is the \u201cair and time\u201d method, and it\u2019s perfect for most boxes. Here\u2019s 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\u2014UV rays can fade the wood\u2019s 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\u2019re in a hurry, though, this might not be enough\u2014that\u2019s where our next steps come in.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s gentle enough not to damage the cedar or any finish. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber\u2014its porous surface traps odor molecules without adding any scent of its own. Here\u2019s 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\u2019t touching the baking soda\u2014we always set it on small wooden blocks or even clean wooden spoons to create a gap between the box\u2019s 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\u2019ve 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\u2014 that would just add another odor we\u2019d have to get rid of, and it\u2019s unnecessary when plain baking soda works perfectly.<\/p>\n

For the stubborn, extra-strong cases\u2014like boxes that sat in a damp shipping container for a long time and picked up a musty new wood smell\u2014we 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\u2019s what we do: fill a small bowl with white distilled vinegar (about \u00bd 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\u2014we\u2019ve seen people make the mistake of pouring vinegar inside the box, and then they\u2019re stuck with vinegar smell for weeks. We also make sure the container is sealed, so the vinegar\u2019s fumes circulate inside the bin and neutralize the wood\u2019s VOCs without escaping. This is a bit more hands-on, so we only recommend it when the first two methods don\u2019t work, but it\u2019s never damaged a box in our workshop, as long as you don\u2019t overdo the time.<\/p>\n

Wait, a quick note: we never use any chemical cleaners, sanding too aggressively, or even harsh soaps. Sanding can remove the wood\u2019s 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\u2014wait, let me adjust that, because some people use those, but we\u2019ve 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\u2019t alter the box\u2019s natural scent.<\/p>\n

Now, a big part of what we do as a wooden cigar box supplier is prepping our boxes before they ship, so we don\u2019t just send boxes with that strong new wood smell in the first place. We\u2019ve 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\u2019s already been aired out. That\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019t use premium cigars to season it\u2014save those for later. Place 2 or 3 cigars inside the box for a week, and they\u2019ll help the cedar absorb the cigar oils, creating that perfect balance that makes cigar boxes worth using.<\/p>\n

I should also address a common myth: some people think the smell is toxic. It\u2019s 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\u2019s a problem for cigar lovers. We always tell customers that if they\u2019re in a pinch, even leaving the box open on their kitchen counter for a few days will help, as long as they don\u2019t let dust get inside.<\/p>\n

Now, if you\u2019re 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\u2019ve 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\u2019re 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\u2014we work with everyone from small independent cigar shops to large national retailers, and we\u2019re happy to walk you through every step, from choosing the right box to prepping it for use.<\/p>\n

Before I wrap up, let\u2019s recap the key points so you don\u2019t have to remember them all: first, try air and time for 7 to 10 days, that\u2019s the safest and easiest. If that\u2019s 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\u2019s safe.<\/p>\n

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I know how important it is to have a good cigar box\u2014 it\u2019s not just storage, it\u2019s part of the experience. That\u2019s why we put so much care into every box we make, and why we\u2019ve spent so much time testing these solutions. If you have any questions about prepping your box, or if you\u2019re interested in ordering wooden cigar boxes for your business or personal use, don\u2019t hesitate to connect with our team to talk through your needs.<\/p>\n

Wooden Wedding Gift Box<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

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  1. ASTM International. (2020). Standard Practice for Evaluating Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Wood-Based Products. ASTM D6670-20.<\/li>\n
  2. Cigar Association of America. (2022). Best Practices for Cigar Storage and Humidification. CAA Industry Guideline 4.<\/li>\n
  3. Wood Science and Technology Center. (2019). Odor Reduction Methods for Solid Wood Furniture and Packaging. USDA Forest Service Report FSR-24.<\/li>\n
  4. International Standards Organization. (2021). Natural Odor Control for Sustainable Packaging. ISO 16000-9:2021.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Shandong Pan Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    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\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Let me kick this off by saying something every cigar box supplier knows too well\u2014even the … How to remove the smell from a new wooden cigar box?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":922,"featured_media":3449,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3412],"class_list":["post-3449","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-wooden-cigar-box-4542-39a1a6"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/922"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3449"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3449\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.coberturanoticias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}