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Getting Cigarrete smell out of leather jacket

Blueworm

New in Town
Messages
8
Location
Spain
Hello, this is my first post here, been lurking for a while.

Denim junkies have solution for smelly jeans.
Place in a plastic bag with a spiral of lemon peel, then simply place in the freezer for a few days.
It works great on denim, its not invasive so definately worth a try.
:-D
 

vintage68

Practically Family
Messages
959
Location
Nevada, The Redneck Riviera
Ack! Pfft! Lesson learned.

ALWAYS ask if something comes from a smoke free home. I bought a hat on Ebay and it arrived stinking to high heaven. I ended up after trying everything just giving it away to the Salvation Army.
 

C-dot

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,908
Location
Toronto, Canada
Peacoat said:
What's wrong with just washing them?

The thing about leather, is the older and more creased it gets, the better it looks. Even when leather is treated, the slightest touch of water will change the texture forever. Dry cleaning will cause those lovely old fades and creases to come out, and the colour to change - which is why you buy a vintage leather jacket anyway!

Denim, modern and vintage, is always best when it is never washed. Like leather, denim gets better with wear, and with every cleaning, the wash changes significantly - as said, the indigo will fade out. Not a good look for true vintage, since in the 50's, when it became popular, it was in dark washes with no fades!

When I got my leather jacket, it belonged to a biker who used to smoke cigarettes that you buy off Native Reserves (they're usually nicknamed "waa-hoo's!"). The remedy - I left it in my cold, dark, and dry crawlspace for a week and a half. Now you'd never know its history! lol
 

DonW

New in Town
Messages
26
Location
Cheshire, England
I bought an Akubra hat off ebay and it arrived stinking of state cigarette smoke, I tried leaving it in a box wrapped in newspaper, not a great success, I tried it in a plastic bag with baking soda, again not a great success, eventualy I gave up and just wore the hat and in time the smell just vanished.
I now have the same problem with an Aero A2 jacket, again off ebay (neither mentioned they were smokers), I will try cleaning the lining with diluted white vinegar and I may sponge the leather with fresh water and then lots of fresh air and see what happens. One method I have seen on other forums but not mentioned here is to put the contaminated item in an enclosed space with an ionizer machine, people claim good results with this method, hopefully something will work, maybe just time will be the best method, we will see.
 

Sloan1874

I'll Lock Up
Messages
8,425
Location
Glasgow
I've heard ionisers can do amazing jobs, but I also think sunshine is a great deodorising agent. I hope you hammer the seller for failing to declare their filthy habit!
 
Messages
10,524
Location
DnD Ranch, Cherokee County, GA
I have a A2 that is my "pub" jacket. It had a smoky smell when I got it used, so I wear it to places that are designated "smoking bars".
I've used Febreze & fresh air to keep it tolerable = turn it inside out, spray the lining, cuffs, waist, etc. (all fabric parts), let it sit on the porch overnight out of the sunlight. HTH
 

apba1166

A-List Customer
Messages
372
Location
Philadelphia
I had a Longshoreman/sheepskin and quilted sleeves that took a month to air out, but it did. I hung it by night under a ceiling fan in the attic....by day inside out from a basketball net in the driveway. I also vacuumed and hand-washed the lining, and the leather (lightly, don't fear the water).
Just takes time...but can be done.
 

robrinay

One Too Many
Messages
1,490
Location
Sheffield UK
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?71364-Mould
Have a look at this thread for removing mould smells. I originally combined armscyes advice with the soda white vinegar advice with great results. Since then Ive just washed stinky jackets inside out on a wool cycle with a gentle detergent, handled the wet heavy leather v carefully drying inside out flat and fully supported outside on a windy day to avoid stretching then treated it with my favourite leather food when dry- Its worked on a number of vintage jackets and so far no damage - in fact it often improves the grain visibility and always removes the creases common in badly stored/packed eBay bargains.
Paraphrasing what I said in the above thread when it comes to advice - take it or leave it, your choice your risk.
 
Last edited:

nick123

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,371
Location
California
I have a Johnson A-2 style jacket I contemplated either sending back to get the thing cleaned, re knitted and relined, or just giving away to the local charity. I read this post and thought "I guarantee mine reeks more than anyone else's here, there's no way it's going to be fixed."

So I tried the whole hanging up outside in the sunlight thing today. For a mere two hours! It's hardly sunny. And the smell is almost gone!

What I did was put the jacket, unzipped, on a hanger, and elevated it about the height of a house roof (because that's where I could find a place to hang it up-a chair would be too short). Can't believe the results.
 

ksozay

One Too Many
Messages
1,071
Location
Seattle
Several good suggestions here. Fabreeze can help....hanging it outside works wonders(but I would suggest..in the shade)...or coffee grounds tied up in an old sock..put in the dryer with the jacket on tumble(no high heat). It seems to absorb the odor...and in a few days the coffee smell fades away.
HD

This is a great suggestion and one I'd never considered. Great idea!
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
I have to say I quite like the smell of cigarette smoke in an old leather jacket. I haven't smoked for 10 years but the smell doesn't bother me at all. Much nicer smell than Febreeze or vinegar - yuk! Give me all your "smelly" jackets.
 

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