Handbag Nightmare!!! Please help!

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

Loopy_Lobes

The only thing I can think of it hanging it outside in the fresh air??

laughingcow81

I read somewhere that if you wipe the leather with a mix of white vinegar and water it can get some of the smell out.

KatieKins

Hi, I can't suggest anything I am afraid but try asking on the old style board as they seem to know every cleaning trick going!!

keys_2

Just and idea , But what about putting Netradol inside the bag and compartments { as this works well on carpets wit hsmoke and pet odours so rather strong } It will not stain as it is powder .?
You can then place the bag inside ascented Nappy Sack { as this works for books that smell musty } and then add more Netardol inside the nappy sack .

I personally would seal the nappy bag very tightly for a few days , then maybe hoover or empty it out ?

fruitcake_2

Oh no, had something similar to me too, but not with leather. I found this and thought as a last resort you may want to try it.

Vinegar Steam Method
Vinegar helps in washing out the smell of nicotine completely by removing the resin and tar in smoke .You can wipe the smoking smell from the floor by using the vinegar directly. It can be used on clothes but make sure that the clothes are not too delicate as otherwise they may get damaged. However, you can give a vinegar steam to your clothes and find your clothes free of smell in no time. all you need to do is to fill your bath tub or bucket with hot water. Now add four cups of vinegar to it. Then Hang your cigarette-smelling outfit above the tub. Keep the door closed. Allow the steam to float in air and become intense. After a few minutes, your cloth will be cleansed but there will be an odor of vinegar, which would diminish in a few minutes.

vintage_beanpole

Thanks fruitcake,
That's definitely one to try.
The bag has just been soaked in febreze (my God, if it does ever come out I'm to have to leather condition it so badly!) and is now hanging by the open window...Because of course, as per usual in London, it's grey and raining...

Keep the suggestions coming - everybody's been so helpful, thank you.

Em x

valentina

Could you use something that is designed for cleaning leather car upholstery, or something for cleaning motorcycle leathers?
Sorry can't be a bit more specific!

grunnie

Put loads of scrunched up newspaper inside the bag and replace it every 24 hours. After about a week the smell will have gone. Newspaper absorbs smells and it does eventually work as long as you keep replacing it.

hitatotatus

Along with the newspaper suggestion, put a couple of tissues with drops of essential essence on in at the same time (lavender is my choice) and will make it smell fresh.

suetango

Hi Em,
This isn't going to be much help but I just wanted to tell you that I was given some good quality furniture about four months ago and it smelt of cigarette smoke. I didn't realise when I was offered it but noticed it when it was in my lounge! There were about five items - bookcase, coffee table, cabinets etc.
Anyway, the smell has now gone, and I don't even think about it any more. At the time, I just wanted to get rid of it as quickly as possible, so I know how you feel about the handbag. Hopefully the smell will go - just be patient!
Good luck, Sue x