removing cigarette smoke from leather bag?

February 27, 2006 10:04 AM

Anyone have a suggestion for getting cigarette smoke smell out of a leather purse? Everytime I unzip my bag, I can now totally smell it.
posted by eatdonuts to clothing, beauty, & fashion (13 comments total)

I'd try Febreze. Except it's not supposed to be used on leather. I wonder what it would do to the inside though. Caveat sprayor.
posted by grouse at 10:08 AM on February 27, 2006

If it's a fabric lining, the Febreeze will take care of it. If it's the leather itself, use any leather cleaner/moisturizer.
posted by desuetude at 10:22 AM on February 27, 2006

I sprayed down an awesome 1970s thrift store leather sports jacket with Febreze and it totally eliminated a very strong wood smoke odor without staining or spotting the leather.

(My wife still made me get rid of it though.)
posted by LarryC at 10:25 AM on February 27, 2006

a bit of coffee grounds or one of those refrigerator boxes of baking soda are good bets, too.
posted by YoungAmerican at 10:25 AM on February 27, 2006

Well, it's a pretty pervasive smell.... maybe you could try covering it up with something stronger (like if you like the smell of coffee, that would work)
posted by fvox13 at 10:26 AM on February 27, 2006

Go out and buy 1) a box of baking soda and 2) a pack of baby's tube socks. Fill the tube socks with the baking soda and tie them shut. Keep your little baking soda slugs in there until they soak up all the stench.
posted by Sara Anne at 10:36 AM on February 27, 2006

leave it open and hanging upside down for a couple week or two.
posted by delmoi at 11:53 AM on February 27, 2006

You might want to try activated charcoal, available at pet stores. It leaves a lot of little black particles, so don't just dump it into the purse. Either set an open container inside and leave it be, or make a cloth sack... or use a tube sock -- I like that one.
posted by wryly at 12:27 PM on February 27, 2006

Try a fabric softener sheet. It's less likely to damage the leather than the Febreeze (although it seems like that may not be a huge risk anyway) and doesn't take up as much space as the tube socks, but it still has a pretty strong scent that should be enough to overcome the cigarette smell.
posted by jewishbuddha at 1:14 PM on February 27, 2006

Following up wryly's comment: a Brita filter (or any other activated charcoal water filter) stored in the empty purse for a couple of days should do the trick. It can be used or new, but if used make sure the filter is bone dry before you put it in.

I have deodorized suitcases ad coats this way, and it worked like a dream.
posted by Elsa at 2:25 PM on February 27, 2006

Baby powder may work. Make sure it's talc and not cornstarch.
posted by jaded at 4:40 AM on February 28, 2006

Baby powder may work. Make sure it's talc and not cornstarch.

Also, make sure the baby powder isn't scented.
posted by Carol Anne at 5:55 AM on February 28, 2006

When I worked in a detail shop we frequently had to remove a smoke smell from the interior of cars. We used an electronic device that produced ozone (O3). That third oxygen molecule is loosely attached are readily oxidizes just about anything it comes in contact with, including the smoke residue. Once oxidized, it no longer smells. You can rent one of these from just about any rental shop.
posted by kc0dxh at 7:49 AM on February 28, 2006