Asked on May 19, 2013

Getting smoke smell off artificial leather

I picked up a 'leather' looking chair someone had put out next to the road. It was beautiful burgundy on rollers. I stopped and loaded it in the back of my truck on my way to work. Didn't notice the smell till I unloaded it much later at home. I have tried window cleaner, orange oil cleaner, Pine Sol, leather cleaner, dish soap and have stopped short of bleach. NOTHING is working! I have the chair out on my covered porch and when it is really humid or rainy the smell about gags me. REALLY hate to pitch it, there just has to be something else I haven't tried yet. Any suggestions???
  6 answers
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on May 19, 2013
    Put some calls out to some automotive parts shops. I heard Meguiars make a decent odor eliminator that can be used on leather car seat and such http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g2316-meguiars-odor-eliminator/
  • Cherie Hewitt Cherie Hewitt on May 19, 2013
    plain white vinegar will kill the smell in anything. Of course it stinks at first but once dry the smell disappears and you are left with nothing foul. I use it frequently for the loveseat I have for the dogs and for their bedding. I also use it as a fabric softener, glass cleaner, to take the smell out of the washing machine, weed killer, doggie deodorant and poison ivy defoliant
    • Mandy Berens Bellon Mandy Berens Bellon on May 06, 2019

      I totally had faith in white vinegar!!! I bought a used fake leather recliner. It smells so strong of cigarette smoke!! Being cigarette free myself for 2 years, it really has my anxiety up a few notches. I've sprayed it with vinegar, lysol, febreze, blade air freshener, and sprinkled it with baking soda. Do you have any other ideas for me to try?

  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on May 20, 2013
    Again, here I go with Odo-Ban. It can be purchased from WalMart or Sams...or if not there, look on line. Every household needs at least a gallon of it around. Make sure you turn the chair on its front and spray the "insides". It could have been "used" by a pet and Odo-Ban will get rid of that smell. You have to take it to a garage like area and spray it over several days. If after a few sprays the odor does not go away and there is a covering under the cushion, you may have to take that loose and investigate for some source of smell. If it is a good chair in good shape, it is worth the effort. If you do not know how to put the covering back together, you may want to check with an upholstery shop before you start. They might give you a good price to put it back together for you. Just take care.
  • Winnie Conners Winnie Conners on May 22, 2013
    TryHelp answer this question...
  • Jeanine Witherell Eaves Jeanine Witherell Eaves on Jun 03, 2013
    Jeanette, I am usually the one pushing OdoBan for everything! LOL That's what we use at the kennel to clean with and I use it at home for pretty much everything. It worked on the chair for a little while but I had to retreat...maybe missed some of the fabric part the first time. Have it still outside on the covered porch because that much OdoBan even gets to me. We'll see if the second time gets it done! Thanks everyone!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 04, 2013
    Did you turn it on its front and spray really good on the underside? You also have to get a cloth soaked in vinegar and wipe down the wodden legs etc. to get ride of the mildew bitter smell. This has to be done a 3-4 times in a ventilated area like a garage...or set outside in the shade if good weather. I actually took the fabric off the chair I worked on and spray the inside stuffing with OdoBan. It took several applications.