Getting smoke smell out of non washable item?

tryingtobethrifty

I'd been reading about the "buying nothing new for a year" that people are doing and thought that although I wouldn't want to go the whole way I'd definitely try and stop buying so much new stuff.

So, I bought a second hand armchair. It's lovely but when hubby got it home and into the house we realised it stunk of smoke. I've had the cushions out the back every time it's nice weather and steamed it with a steam-generating iron ( so a lot of steam). But the smell's still there. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks

Pink.

Hi tryingtobethrifty,

This thread should give you more ideas:

Getting smoke smell out of non washable item?

I'll add your thread to that one later.

Pink

tryingtobethrifty

Thanks Pink-winged

curlytop12

i'd sprinkle it all over with bicarb for 24 hours then brush it off.
good luck

lioness131

Hi All!!

I am hoping I can benefit from your wisdom!
I have just bought my wedding dress..... YEAH!!! :j
I got it from someone who found a different one they would prefer to wear so its BNWT and its the one I wanted but couldnt find anywhere as it was last seasons (as if they look so different year to year!!)
I am all excited but it smells slightly like someone has smoked in the house it was in before, does anyone have any ideas of what I can do to remove this...??
I cant hang it on the line or everyone will see it.
Does putting an onion in the same room only work on paint smells... I dont want it to end up smelling like I have just cooked tea!

Ideas welcome, If I have posted this in the wrong place let me know but as i have got so many ideas from you all just lurking about I am hoping someone has an OS way of solving the problem!

Thanks

Lioness

Miss_Ratty

Could you try taking it to a local dry cleaners? I wasn't in the same boat as you but my dress stank of smoke and was curry stained after the big day and the dry cleaners managed to get rid of it all. It is expensive though. Alternatively could you hang it up in a room for a few days and open the windows or put it on the line but cover it in a duvet cover?

taxsaver

Maybe you could get some lavender bags and hang several of those from the coat-hanger so that they are suspended within the dress?

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I'd go with the lavender bags too.
Also I don't know how long it is to your wedding but make sure you don't store the dress in plastic.
If you do it may cause shading and marks on the dress and I would'nt take any chances.
Get some acid free tissue paper to wrap it in if the dress is to be boxed.
Use the tissue paper in between the layers of the dress and inside the bodice too
If possible though hang it in a white cotton bag to cover it,put tissue paper under the bits the hanger comes into contact with and in the bodice.
Its easy to hem an old white cotton sheet to make a clothes bag.

meritaten

To store your dress use a large cardboard box. use loads of acid and lignum free tissue paper where you fold it. You can find 'archive quality' boxes online or some bridal shops may stock them if you ask.
To remove any smells - bit more difficult...............the best thing is to hang the dress in fresh air. or you could try steaming it, but check the fabric will take that. Most of them do - my sis has a bridal shop and spends hours steaming dresses - some of them come in terribly creased! SOME wedding dresses will take being washed on a gentle cycle.............but its a risk!
personally, I would try this. if you or a friend/relative has a tumble dryer which has a 'cool' button then pop the dress in with a couple of tumble dryer sheets for a short while. dry in short 'bursts' checking all the time. as soon as the smoky smell goes.......remove the dress and hang up!

Owain_Moneysaver

pack it in a box/bag with deodorising cat litter.

Put the cat litter in muslin bags (like lavender bags) to prevent contact with the material, just in case.