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Removing cigarette smell

(18 Posts)
Scooter58 Mon 13-Jul-15 07:25:58

Help please,I have just bought a second hand leather suite,absolutely love it but theres a whiff of cigarette smoke from it.Wasnt apparent when I viewed it and it's not particularly strong but it's there,anyone have any tips for removing the smell,the suite is not dirty so don't really want to go to the expense of professionally cleaning it if possible.

Liz46 Mon 13-Jul-15 08:43:57

I would think that if you use leather wipes and also leave the windows open the smell should go fairly quickly. Good luck!

Scooter58 Mon 13-Jul-15 09:08:25

Thanks Liz,was thinking along those lines,it's really not that strong,Suite is only 6 months old so hopefully will be fresh as a daisy soon.

Nelliemoser Mon 13-Jul-15 09:09:05

www.apartmenttherapy.com/6-ways-to-remove-cigarette-sme-153105

Baking soda or bicarb and vinegar seem to feature in these remedies but make sure your living room does not end up smelling like a chip shop.

Bi carb alone is probably safest. Just google all the possibilites and see what looks best,.

Scooter58 Mon 13-Jul-15 09:16:20

Aw thanks Nelliemoser,didn't think of bicarbonate although I know it can be used to remove fridge smells,ahll have a wee read through that site.

Luckygirl Mon 13-Jul-15 09:32:28

Oh how horrid - I would truly hate importing that smell into my home. I hope that the ides above will do the trick for you.

russelldowns Sat 08-Aug-15 07:43:50

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

gillybob Sat 08-Aug-15 08:26:48

Cigarette smoke is a very difficult smell to get rid of. When my mum and dad moved into their converted bungalow the lady who had lived there before them was confined to bed and chain smoked between 40 and 80 a day. It took months (perhaps even a year) to finally get rid of the smell. Even after stripping the walls, scrubbing every surface with bleach etc. we painted the ceiling and the nicotine dripped through. It was truly disgusting. The smell seemed to cling deep into surfaces although it did eventually go.

Not sure how difficult it would be to get rid of in soft furnishings though. Rather late I know but perhaps should have checked whether from a smoke free home before you bought it scooter58 .

I think perhaps seeking advice from a professional leather cleaner might be the way forward. Good luck .

Juliette Sat 08-Aug-15 09:01:07

We used saddle soap on our smokey chair, it removed layers of dirt and also the lingering smell. Available from all good horsey shops or probably somewhere on the Internet. Good luck.

Elayne Sat 08-Aug-15 11:19:15

Juliette I had not thought of that but a great idea, I will invest in some as I am a smoker and my leather sofas are looking a bit jaded but still comfy. I prefer the bar of saddle soap rather than the tinned variety, if that is any help to anyone. Thanks for the tip.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 08-Aug-15 13:15:37

When DD moved into her house the smell of cigarette was horrible. It took decorating the whole lot, having carpet professionally cleaned, and even replacing the floor tiles in the downstairs walk-in cupboard because washing them didn't do the trick.

I'm not sure the smell on the sofa will ever go. sad

harrigran Sat 08-Aug-15 19:35:40

My father was a smoker and mother used to clean all the furniture with well diluted vinegar, she swore by it.

mcem Sun 09-Aug-15 21:24:53

I have a pretty edwardian display cabinet which sat for decades in a the smoke-filled room of a relative. Don't think bicarb would work on exterior but will try it inside. The mahogany is dull and seems impregnated with the smell.
I've moved a lot of grime with baby wipes but every time I tackle it the wipe quickly becomes brown and nasty.
It's in my airy hall, and doesn't smell too bad as long as I keep its door closed.
A hopeless task or worth persevering? Any advice on treating wooden furniture?

Scooter58 Sun 09-Aug-15 21:38:49

Was only a faint smell of smoke,glad to say there is no smell now,a combination of cleaning with leather cleaner and windows opened whenever possible did the trick,thanks all.

gillybob Wed 12-Aug-15 10:16:32

I'm with you there jings . My mum has lived in her bungalow for a few years now and despite complete re-decoration, new flooring, tiling etc. there is still a very feint lingering aroma of eau de Benson & Hedges I think perhaps it has ingrained itself into the very brickwork ! Gross.

tigger Wed 12-Aug-15 23:18:15

Steaming if you have a steam cleaner very effective

suzied Thu 13-Aug-15 10:16:11

I know of people who had to have all the rooms in their house completely replastered as that was the only way to get rid of the smell and discolouration in the walls after years of being inhabited by a chain smoker.

gillybob Thu 13-Aug-15 10:21:07

Yes suzied my mum and dad ended up having their bedroom and lounge re-skimmed in a bid to get rid of the smell.

I remember stripping the walls and the steam from the wallpaper stripper causing the nicotine to literally drip from the ceiling. The smell was absolutely vile.