If you use water, depending on how old the trunk is it could warp, if you sand the top layer of the trunk to get that layer gone, it may get rid of the smell but will take away from the age of the wood, but I would imagine if you take a cloth and a mild bleach solution the same consistency of taking a warm towel to the face it may do the trick, just dont saturate the wood. Hope this helps. But if it dont work I would second the baking soda dry smeared on the wood for a week or so.