Smelly cushioned chair

VfM4meplse

I have been gifted a nice piece of furniture which I would dearly love to keep, but the problem is it stinks to high heaven of cigarette smoke!

It was given to me in good faith, but I realised as soon as I put it in my vehicle that it once belonged to the home of a smoker. No big deal, I thought - it's just a question of airing it thoroughly. So it's been outside intermittently this last week (not for very long admittedly, as it was so damp) and when inside its stunk my large conservatory out! It's back in there this evening with a lit candle, but the smoke is well ingrained into the cushioned fabric so I'm wondering what next.

YouTube has plenty of amateur advice, mostly around baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and gentle washing detergent, but most techniques seem a bit hit and miss. I'm happy to use baking soda but not keen on having a vinegary-smelling item of furniture. I've got a lot of faith in chemical peroxide, but don't want to inadvertently bleach the fabric. I can also steam it, or wash it down with a mild soap solution.

My question is which of these, or which combination of these is going to work first time round, and in what order? TIA.

Beenie

You could get it recovered and replace the upholstered cushions at the same time.

If the budget doesn't stretch that far, lots of Febreeze might be your answer. It is recommended for cat spraying areas, so should work on fag smoke.

LandyAndy

I fear you will never get rid of the smell enough to make it acceptable to you.:(

Katapolt

I had a similar issue, although not with fabric items, and sadly 3 months on they still stink.

It might be worth trying to get it cleaned, or using a steam cleaner. Ive also heard shaking over with baking powder and vacuuming up works, but havent tried this myself.

unfortunately it may cost more to remedy than its worth to you.

VfM4meplse

My New Years resolution was to stay positive lol. All I can say is I'm not beaten quite yet.

It's been outside for 4 warm and days in a row, tomorrow will be day 5. I shall then attempt the deep clean.

Slinky

We spent one night sleeping on an airbed borrowed from a pipe smoker. I can say there wasn't a hope in hell of the smell ever being removed from that however much one tried to air it. Yeeuuuchh.

Norman_Castle

not keen on having a vinegary-smelling item of furniture

The smell of white vinegar fades quite quickly.

VfM4meplse

Update: it was in the sun all last week, and I hoovered and then brought it back into the glasshouse last night. This morning I was pleased that the smell had subsided considerably, so progress has been made .

It's back out there today whilst the sun's out, I'll steam clean it several times afterwards, and then resort to Febreze before it's moved back in properly.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

The smell of white vinegar fades quite quickly.

I remain unconvinced but readily agree that it will be an improvement on cigarette smoke. The combination of both will mean it's consigned to the tip.

VfM4meplse

Update: 6 days in the sun and it's improved a lot although the cushioning is still undeniably smoke-y. It's out again today, as the risk of precipitation is almost negligible. I'm going to carry on down this path until such time as it does rain, at which point I will be forced to move onto the steaming stage.

Yesterday I ventured into Poundland to buy some Febreze as suggested, the only one available was a vanilla blossom scent which I'm not too wild about, I put it back when I noticed Neutradol further along the aisle, now that looked far more convincing. Next to it sat Shake N Vac, Lily of the Valley. I eventually bought that because the smell was bearable, compared to the Neutradol which smelt rank!

Also came away with some chocolate to take the pain out of my traumatised olfactory glands

Pa_Ja

I was in a similar situation and eventually gave up.
You may do well at getting the surface clean and fresh but eventually the fibres within the upholstery will takeover.
You'll never be 100% rid of the nicotine smell.

dunroving

My small wardrobe was bought from a charity shop and it wasn't until it was delivered I realised it came from a smoking household. It took about 3 years for the smell to disappear.