Getting rid of ciggie smoke smell

Swirley

I really hope I've put this on the right board - if not, could someone please direct me where to put it, thanx

I was given a carrycot to go on my pushchair frame for my LO due in June. Problem is it absolutely reeks of ciggie smoke :eek: I've stripped off the covers and thrown them in the washer, but I'm not sure what I could use on the actual carrycot body and raincover. DH wants to use something like Febreze, but I don't want to use chemicals like that if I can help it.

Any tips or advice would be gratefully appreciated, thank you :T

krlyr

I've used bicarbonate of soda. I bought some motorbike leathers but didn't check they were from a smoke-free home and they stank. I folded them up in a giant binbag, with bicarb between each layer, then chucked some extra in on top and left them for a couple of days. Then a day out on the line in dry, sunny weather to freshen them up, and there was no smell at all.

Swirley

Thanx for the bicarb suggestion, will give it a try.

Does anyone know if bicarb is safe to use in the washer? I've just pulled out the bits I've managed to wash but they still reek

pennypusher

How about putting it outside in the fresh air, that will definitely help get rid of some of the smell. Hopefully all of it!! Otherwise you can try wiping it out with bicarb of soda mixed with water.

Swirley

I'll get DH to chuck it outside tomorrow then put in shed overnight (shed is very draughty!). Fingers crossed the fresh air and bicarb will get it right again. Thank you!

krlyr

It's fine in the washing machine, I often add a quarter cup to the washing powder when I wash my dogs' bedding to deodourise. Vinegar is another natural deodouriser and can be added to the fabric conditioner drawer, I often use it in place of fabric conditioner (it's good for keeping towels soft) but I don't use them together (bicarb + vinegar fizz quite a bit, not sure how well they mix in a washing machine)

Swirley

I would like to thank you all for your help and advice. :T

I'm now 5 washes in and still got stinky stuff. Would a few drops of tea tree in the wash help the smell as well as sanitise?
The carrycot body has been outside in the day and I'm going to try rubbing some bicarb into it in the next couple of days.

BitterAndTwisted

I suspect the tea-tree oil will just cover up the smell rather than removing it, but it surely can't do any harm. Have you tried the "rinse and hold" programme on your machine with vinegar in the last rinse?

Swirley

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Have you tried the "rinse and hold" programme on your machine with vinegar in the last rinse?

I haven't tried using the rinse hold, but it makes sense to use it! Will give it a go tomorrow, thank you!