DawnM Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 I bought something off of CL that has fabric. We met in a parking lot so that I wouldn't be going to an individual home as that makes me nervous. It wasn't until I went in to a restaurant and was in there for 20 min and then came back out that I smelled the smoke. Sellers had said it was in good condition and I didn't even think to ASK if they smoked. I have tried everything, leaving it outside for 48 hours, febreeze, vinegar, baking soda, vacuuming the fabric, washing the parts that come off, etc...... There is just simply no way to get the smell out. My guess is that it was used for years with a heavy smoker. I emailed the seller to tell her, but her response is that I should try vinegar. Honestly, I don't even think they have the money anymore, they seemed quite poor based on what I saw. Do I just chalk this up to a hard lesson learned and try to get a portion of my money back by selling at a loss and being completely honest in my listing? I am sick about it. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Either resell it or donate it. You might get the smell out if you leave in outdoors or in a garage for weeks- but that's a long shot, IMO. I'm sorry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Someone's guide to getting smoke smell out of ebay items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Donate or toss or resell. CL not a place for refunds. That really stinks. I'd be bummed too. :( 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiMi 4under3 Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 If the money you paid for the item wasn't a hardship, I would just donate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Someone's guide to getting smoke smell out of ebay items. Thank you for posting this. It's very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 put it in a plastic bag with crumpled newspaper and seal bag. Change the newspaper every couple of days. My grandma was a very heavy smoker and this helped take the smoke smell out of things she gave me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Put it in a trash bag with a bar of dial soap. Close the bag. Leave it for at least a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 put it in a plastic bag with crumpled newspaper and seal bag. Change the newspaper every couple of days. My grandma was a very heavy smoker and this helped take the smoke smell out of things she gave me. Also, try adding charcoal- just make sure you don't use the kind with lighter fluid in it or you'll have a whole new stench to get rid of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Also, try adding charcoal- just make sure you don't use the kind with lighter fluid in it or you'll have a whole new stench to get rid of! One can buy activated charcoal in the pharmacy, which should work for removing smoke smell. I have also been successful using large amounts of baking soda. Depending on what the item was and size/texture/color, you might try putting the baking soda right on the item before sealing it up in a bag or rubbermaid container. If you could easily vacuum off, that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 :iagree: with you, chalk it up to a hard lesson and move on. If you donate it, get a receipt and you can deduct it from your taxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 Ok, I have listed it and stated specifically that it is from a smoking home. Maybe I can get a little of my $$ back and someone can benefit from it. If not, I will donate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Dawn, I know you said you listed your item for sale already but I wanted to chime in anyway in case my post can help someone else. The Odoban that ManagerMom listed worked really well for us on a vehicle (with leather seats!) with a strong mildew smell due to a sunroof left completely open during a super heavy rainstorm. It took a few applications, but it worked wonderfully! For cigarette smoke, I have successfully used a product called OdorCide (http://www.odorcide.com/products/). It can be found in stores like Wal-Mart. I used it on fabric that REEKED of cigarette smoke. Again, it took a few applications and several hours of sunlight, but the smell was completely gone. Direct sun (the stronger, the better) is a fantastic natural cigarette smoke smell remover. Dawn, I'm sorry you experienced this. I, too, 'messed up' before in not checking if something was from a smoking home (hence my discovery of the odorcide product). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Is this an object that people would be in close contact with? Escpecially children? If so, I wouldn't even try to get the smell off, due to fears of third hand smoke. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 Thanks all. People on CL have actually emailed me with suggestions on how to get the smoke out. However, DH says we can get most our $$ back by donating it and writing it off on our taxes. I think that will be my next step if I can't get the smell out. I did buy some stuff, can't remember the name and don't feel like going to the garage at the moment. Will see if that works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonesinIndiana Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I had a friend give me a Dooney and Burke purse that reeked of her cigarette smoke. It took a month of keeping it outside, putting baking soda and coffee grounds inside in a baggie, and dryer sheets to get rid of that smell. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.