How can I remove the smell of cigarette smoke from wooden furniture?

Sherry Garrison
by Sherry Garrison
These are pieces of furniture that have been in houses where there was a lot of
cigarette smoke. Does it need to be professionally done? Please help!icon
  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 23, 2017

    You can try to remove the odor yourself first. Wash inside and outside down with white vinegar and water. Once dried sprinkle baking soda inside and leave until the odor is absorbed.Remove the baking soda and then clean with a non-oily wood cleaner and polisher.I always use cabinet magic available at Home Depot. I find the others are way to oily and this is a cleaner and polisher in one.

  • William William on Jan 23, 2017

    I agree with Janet! If any of the furniture can fir in large garbage bags or wrap in plastic drop cloths. After washing, place them in the bag or loosely wrap in plastic drop cloths, liberally sprinkle with the baking soda, and seal. Keep in the bag/wrap for a few days. Vacuum the baking soda out.

  • Jeannette Hickson Jeannette Hickson on Jan 23, 2017

    I have used "Liquid Gold" furniture polish and then had non-smokers tell me they couldn't smell any cigarette smoke.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Jan 24, 2017

    1/2 cup of vinegar mixed with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Then spray the whole piece and let it air dry. Repeat if necessary.

    We had the same problem- I'm asthmatic and we brought an entertainment center from someone on Craig's list. It took a few tries but eventually, we got it smell proof for me!

  • Brenda Brenda on Jan 24, 2017

    you could use murphy oil and half a cup lemon juice

  • Lee fox Lee fox on Jan 25, 2017

    try murphys oil soap . If that doesn't work use ammonia in water . Use gloves!

  • Kyralee Kyralee on Jan 28, 2017

    I inherited a wood display case from my grandfather who was a chain smoker. It sat in the garage for about four years trying to aire out. When I brought it inside, it still smelled like smoke. I used the dawn + vinegar in a spray bottle that I use in my shower. I sprayed it on and wiped it off with old cloth diapers. It took about 15 cloths until it finally stopped turning them yellow. It still smells somewhat. When I did additional research, I read about a product called Restore-A-Finish. I'm going to try that next on a small area on the back to ensure it doesn't hurt the finish before trying on the whole thing.

    If that fails, I likely will have no choice but to abandon the piece. I just can't stand the smell that 40 years of chain smoking put in it.