Remove Smoke Smell from Leather

[bailadora]

Does anyone know how to eliminate the smell of smoke from leather? I wore my leather blazer out on the town this weekend and we came back reeking of smoke. While I can take a bath - I don't think it'd work so well for the jacket . I've tried an internet search but so far the suggestions I've seen say to toss it in the dryer (non- heat cycle) with a couple of dryer sheets. I'm just really scared it would damage the jacket. The only other thing I've done is to hang it outside in the fresh air - which helped some - but still did not eliminate all of the oder. Does anyone have any tried and true methods or am I going to have to take it to the cleaners? Thanks!

 

[SweetErika]

I found a couple of sites with good ideas:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080109130542AAXaMu3&cp=5
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf328806.tip.html
http://www.rdleatheroutlet.com/site/963920/page/426179

Do NOT use the dryer suggestion, or try to wash it in the washer.

 

[khlarrissa]

I've usually Febreezed the hell out of something and then hung it somewhere that it could get as much fresh air as possible for as long as possible.

 

[SweetErika]

I've usually Febreezed the hell out of something and then hung it somewhere that it could get as much fresh air as possible for as long as possible.

Have you tried that with leather, or just fabrics?

I'd be worried the febreeze would stain or otherwise damage the leather, perhaps even breaking it down over time, especially if you really soaked it.

 

[Weird Harold]

Does anyone know how to eliminate the smell of smoke from leather? I wore my leather blazer out on the town this weekend and we came back reeking of smoke.

I'd just use saddle soap unless the jacket is suede -- in which case it would go to the professionals. Saddle soap is time consuming an labor intensive, but it will take care of just about any problem with finished leather products -- including removing surface odors like second-hand smoke.

Once you've saddle-soaped the jacket, use a good leather conditioner and/or stain-repellent to make removing future odors and stains easier.

 

[Calvin]

Does anyone know how to eliminate the smell of smoke from leather? I wore my leather blazer out on the town this weekend and we came back reeking of smoke. While I can take a bath - I don't think it'd work so well for the jacket . I've tried an internet search but so far the suggestions I've seen say to toss it in the dryer (non- heat cycle) with a couple of dryer sheets. I'm just really scared it would damage the jacket. The only other thing I've done is to hang it outside in the fresh air - which helped some - but still did not eliminate all of the oder. Does anyone have any tried and true methods or am I going to have to take it to the cleaners? Thanks!

Get some Lexol Leather cleaner and then feed it with Lexol Leather treatment. You can get it at any high end automotive stores.
I have used it for years on all my leather from chairs, coats, sofas, and cars. Go through a 1/2 gallon about every 2 to 3 months. The cleaner is superb and will get the smoke smell out.

 

[In Anticipation]

Beeswax might do the trick too, or some beeswax based leather cream

 

[bailadora]

Thanks for all the helpful replies - I'm very partial to this particular jacket. I think we actually have some of the Lexol stuff on hand. My honey uses it for his car seats. Don't know why it didn't occur to me to try that. I swear there are days.... Anyway - I'll give it a whirl and see how it goes.

 

[elib257]

I used towork at a dry cleaners who had a subsidiary business for fire damage repair... Getting smoke smells out of leather is difficult but it is possible and any specialist dry cleaner should be able to do it. But, due to the cost, I would use these suggestions first, particularly the airing. I wouldn't rub too much stuff into it though because it can 'lock' in the smell.

 

[In Anticipation]

Of course the smell may also be in the lining and any interfacing or padding . . .

 

[bailadora]

Yeah - I probably do need to Febreeze the lining. Elib - if I give it the once over with the Lexol cleaner and conditioner and that doesn't work - would you recommend I just take it to the cleaners? I'd rather not layout the cost if I don't have to, but on the other hand - I don't want to ruin it either. Thanks again!

 

[TBKahuna123]

You might check to see if anyone in your area has an Ozone chamber. Fire resotration places, maybe a sporting goods store. Until last year our local hockey rink had an Ozone machine which kills the bacteria and removes all odors from sports equipment. If the thing can get the horrific smell out of my goalie gear, it should strip the smoke smell out of your jacket no problem.

 

[elib257]

Yeah - I probably do need to Febreeze the lining. Elib - if I give it the once over with the Lexol cleaner and conditioner and that doesn't work - would you recommend I just take it to the cleaners? I'd rather not layout the cost if I don't have to, but on the other hand - I don't want to ruin it either. Thanks again!

Sorry I didn't reply earlier, I forgot I'd written on this one...

Although I'm probably too late by now my advice is to do what you feel. It depends, as In Anticipation says, whereabouts the smell has locked into, be it the leather or lining etc. You'll just have to decide whether you dare. the downside of having it drycleaned it that leather sometimes comes out patchy with the different sections having come from different parts of the animal.

I've heard good things about the Ozone chamber but never had the pleasure myself, so maybe look for a shop with one of those?

And bear in mind that if all of that doesn't work then even the dry cleaners resort to hanging things by an open window...

 

[A_Kefka]

I use febreeze on my leather jacket after being in a place where people are smoking, and it works. Just spray it good the hang it where it can air dry.