Stinky cigarette smoke - any advice?

[caggimedicine]

Hubby and I don't have LOADS of money... whilst we're not completely broke, we're certainly not rolling in it and try to make cut-backs wherever we can. I've never been bothered about Harry having second hand stuff, clothes etc, so long as they're ok, but recently I bought something off ebay for him... and i'm now starting to regret it.

After reading reviews etc, I decided to get Harry a Fisher Price Take-Along-Swing. He loves being rocked and loads of people have said how good this particular swing is, so I set my sights on it. It's quite expensive brand new, so I was looking on ebay and found someone local who was selling a second hand one. They said it was in "excellent condition" and had only been used for 3 months. I was over the moon when I won it for £25 and arranged to collect it to save myself £10 on the postage.

Went to collect it on the weekend. Got it home and out the box and instantly thought "oh no". Whilst it works perfectly, it absolutely wreaks of cigarette smoke. Luckily all of the fabric parts can be washed, so I threw them in the wash whilst I set about scrubbing the frame. Anyway - i've now washed the cover twice, putting fabric softener in and airing it on the line for HOURS and it STILL STINKS. What can I do? Anyone got any ideas? I really don't want to throw it away. I've put Harry in it (on a blanket), and he absolutely loves it. To think that some poor baby is out there smelling like that. Makes me feel so sad.

 

[Zarababy1]

fabreeze? i dunno hun thats my only idea?

 

[Neecee]

I'd zap it with some febreeze.

 

[caggimedicine]

Sorry - should have also added that i've already tried that!! Thanks though. It's back in the wash now for the third time. It smelt ok when it came out of the wash yesterday... the smoky smell just seems to keep coming back. If I didn't know any better, i'd be acusing Harry of smoking!

Just left feedback for the seller stating that it stank of cigarette smoke. Can't believe someone would sell something for a BABY in that condition. Oh well... will see if it's third time lucky with the washing machine and line drying!

 

[Zarababy1]

try usuing lanor lavinder fabric softer its smells really strong?

 

[taperjeangirl]

Try soaking it in some warm water and bicarbonate of soda, then fill a basin with really hot water and some febreeze lenor and let it soak overnight?

Sorry no other ideas!

 

[1st_baby]

The baking soda will help get the smell out ..if not try some pet stain remover stuff its got powerful enzymes that will work to room the smell ..

 

[mari72]

why not try soaking it in water and dettol for a few hours? It'll disinfect it (bonus) and dettol smells quite strong so should help?

 

[wishingonastar]

yeah i'd say your best bet is to soak it with something like the products suggested above then give it another wash in washing machine...failing that perhaps you should contact seller and say you've tried to get out the smell but it won't come out and therefore it cannot be classed as excellent condition so could you please arrange a refund... if they refuse you could try approaching ebay to resolve the problem...the worst they can do is say no but at least you've tried and not lost any money doing so...

problem is they probably don't realise how stinky stuff is cos they live in that environment all the time...like you say - poor baby!

 

[Tiff]

There’s something about vinegar that gets rid of smoke smell. Because the smell of smoke is caused by the leftover resins and tars, vinegar (an acid that cuts through resin and tar) is a great way to clean those surfaces that aren’t made of fabric, and perhaps, some that are fabric. I know what you’re thinking; vinegar doesn’t smell much better than smoke. Well, that’s true, but the smell of vinegar eventually diminishes, cigarette smoke doesn’t.

Got that from this site. Hope that helps!

 

[bambino]

try soaking and putting it on a higher temperature to wash it. Terrible for them to sell it to you like that tho.

 

[hopedance]

you should send a message to the seller saying you want a refund as the item is not as described. if they refuse, you can open a dispute and get your money back hopefully.

 

[Mervs Mum]

We bought a crib off ebay and that smelled of smoke. I washed it with Dettol and that didnt do much so I put it in the garage for two days and scrubbed it several times alternating between soda crystals, bicarb of soda and a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution. Then finally Febreeze (sp?). Apparently vinegar and the sodas are the only think that will get tobacco smells out. It smelled of vinegar for a couple of days but that does fade with the Frebreeze stuff. I have to say it came with bedding and I binned that so I dont know if this will work on fabric

 

[Stef]

I bought a travel cot once from ebay that was listed as excellent condition & when I picked it up it too stank! I couldnt get rid of the smell and ended up taking it to the tip.

Other than the idea's the girls have given you im all out. Hope you manage to get rid of the smell!

x

 

[Jelly Bean]

That seller will have some major bad karma!!

I'd say follow all the advice above, and make sure it gets SUNLIGHT! That really helps for some reason with horrible smells.

 

[Becky]

I dunno what to suggest have you tried airing it out! but I dont know it if would work x

 

[v2007]

Sadly PayPal wont be able to refund you as the item is not in the same condition as when you bought it. Because you have washed it.

The only thing i could advise is Bicarb.

Make sure you leave the seller - Feedback

V xxxxx

 

[caggimedicine]

Thanks for all your replies. Will give the bicarb and vinegar a go I reckon. It's still on the washing line at the moment! Thought i'd give it a really good airing after it's third wash (put Lenor fabric softener in with it too which someone suggested!)

I've left feedback for the seller. I left positive because it's a working swing, and it is in very good condition otherwise... but because it does stink I still made sure I wrote on her feedback that it "smelt heavily of cigarette smoke" though. She's only got 2 feedback so is obviously new to ebay. I feel so sorry for her little baby.

 

[emma_27]

Ive bought a few things on ebay that have stank of smoke and have binned them. I always make a point of asking now if its from a smoke free home now so i dont get caught out.

 

[caggimedicine]

Ive bought a few things on ebay that have stank of smoke and have binned them. I always make a point of asking now if its from a smoke free home now so i dont get caught out.

Will definitely be doing that from now on, that's for sure! Just never thought for a minute that anyone would sell something for a baby in that kind of condition.