Finishing a wooden closet

Q: What’s the best way to deal with wood used in a walk-in clothes closet renovation? I’ll be using maple and maple-veneered plywood to build compartments for the inside, but I don’t know how to stain these materials. Is there a special sealant I should use to prevent the odours from affecting the clothes?

A: It’s a good thing you asked because your clothes are definitely at risk with your plans. And this is especially true when using solvent-type finishes. I made the mistake of finishing clothes storage shelves with oil-based urethane at my house and it was two years before the garments didn’t pick up an odour after being stored inside. Have you considered leaving the wooden parts of your closet bare, at least initially? If a finish eventually proves essential, go for a water-based urethane over bare wood. In my experience you'll need to let it dry for two weeks before the smell disappears, but that’s not unreasonable. And even then, leave the door open for two more weeks after use begins. If you must stain, water-based aniline stains are best because of their lack of smell. Also, don’t forget closet lighting as you plan your project. A large closet isn’t much good if you have to take garments out into the bedroom to get an accurate sense of colour.