Getting smoke smell out of non washable item?

LittleBit_2

I really hope someone can help me.
We've been given a sofa from a friend of a friend, but we didn't know she was a smoker, and they stink!! :eek:
Does anyone have any advice as to how we can get rid of the smell?

Thanks

zippychick

Hmm probably bicarbonate of soda rubbed on, and hoovered off - and sprinkled with essential oils ? (thats what kim and aggs do )

getting smoke out of unwashable item

Also this may give ideas - smoke damage

Primrose

Probably one of the best solutions - and you will have to wait for the better weather for this - is to put it outside in the garden on a sunny breezy day. Fresh air is one of the best ways of getting rid of cigarette smoke smells.

babyshoes

I would first try bicarb sprinkled all over and rubbed in - leave overnight or longer then vacuum off. You may need to turn the sofa over to get to the awkward bits, and gradually get all the bits of the sofa over a few days. You can use the bicarb a couple of times if the first time helps a bit but not enough. If it still smells a bit after the bicarb, try febreeze or similar, which should be fabric safe (but test it on an area you won't see first) and will both attack the smell and mask it. You could also try one of the fabric shampoos that you scrub on and vacuum off, but I would do that as a last resort! The smell will fade on it's own over time, so if you can leave it in the middle of a room with the window open, that will help too. As another poster said, leaving it outside in dry, sunny weather will do wonders, but that isn't a practical suggestion right now unless you can put it in a shed/garage till summer!
I am of course assuming it is a fabric sofa, not something like leather!

moneysavingideas

I was able to get the horrible smell of baby vomit out of our fabric sofa with baking soda that was left on it for a weekend (whilst we went away) and then removed.

Penelope_Penguin

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll ad it to the exisitng thread that Zippy links to

Penny. x

Owain_Moneysaver

Deodorising cat litter - fill the pram with it, stir it every few days, leave it for a few weeks. Should absorb all the nasty niffs.

If you have a cat, the litter can then be used for its original purpose so no waste.

vintage_beanpole

I bought a lovely black leather Vivienne Westwood handbag on Ebay as a complete treat for myself. I had to save up for ages. It was £100. Anyway, I was soooo excited - and then sooo disappointed. When the bag arrived, I noticed straight away that it reeks of cigarette smoke. The lady told me that she'd had it a year.

I really like the bag so would rather not send it back unless I can help it. It's black leather and has a fabric lining.

I started out by doing a few gental things, then progressed quite quickly to harsher solutions, but nothing yet has worked!

I've tried:
Spraying it with febreze (inside and out)
Spraying it with Odour Eater inside (for shoes)
Sealing it in a plastic bag with trays of baking soda for a day
Wiping the outside with a 50:50 solution of water & vinegar
Sprinkling baking soda on the outside and leaving in a bag with trays of baking soda for a night, then wiping off with a damp cloth.

I don't know what to try next. I can't even tell if what I've done has made any improvements as I've smelt so much of it!! It still smells though.

Can anybody help? Do you think it will ever come out?

Suggestions gratefully received.

Emily

lisa26_2

Hang it on the line or in a window for a good airing?!

Slinky_Malinky

You have already tried lots, all I can add is maybe wash the leather with saddle soap or some other leather cleaner and perhaps hang it out on the washing line to get a good airing. Cat litter is apparently also good to absorb odours.

Cigarette smoke is a devil to get rid of, there is a house for sale in my mum`s street where the lady was a heavy smoker. She died months ago and the house has been completed redecorated and looks immaculate, but someone I know who viewed the house commented on the strong smell of smoke throughout.

For £100 if I couldn`t get rid of the smell I would be wanting my money back.