How to remove cigarette smell from fabric?

[sparklett]

Hi!

Several months ago I lent out a baby swing and bouncy chair to a friend. They were returned to me smelling of cigarettes. I have washed the fabric covers twice, but the fabric still smells. How in the world do I remove the smell? I'd like to lend these items to my MIL so my nephew can use them, but not if they smell!

Thanks!

[Denvergirlie]

put them out in the sun for a a few days, that often can take care of the issue

[nighten]

What kind of detergent are you using? Can you add some clear vinegar to it? That might help.

[sparklett]

Thanks for the suggestions! I used ecover laundry soap, and I don't think it was strong enough. I'll add some vinegar. My MIL said I should just Febreeze it. Uh.... sure.

[nighten]

Hopefully the vinegar will help!

[Sheryl1678]

Try soaking them in white vinegar/water. You might have soak/rinse a few times but the smell will come out.

[nighten]

You could also try an enzyme-based product like Bac-Out. Just be sure to wash it in cold for the enzymes to work, and hot to kill off the residue once you've gotten rid of the smell (to prevent any skin irritation).

[Caneel]

I second the sunshine/air idea. It worked for a suede jacket of mine that absolutely reeked after a night in a very smokey bar.

[tinyblackdot]

fresh air.

[jocelyndale]

Spray it down with alcohol. Back in my clubbing days, I mixed rubbing alcohol or vodka with water (1 part alcohol:10 parts water). Some of my friends used a 1:4 ratio. Spritz down, hang dry. If you're worried, still, wash it again after the smell has dissipated.

The smell is from residual tar and chemicals. Maybe a prewash with a few squirts of simple green would help.

And I'd be mighty miffed if I loaned baby items out and they came back reeking of smoke. That's not cool.

[Groovy Mom]

Another one for the sunshine idea. Sometimes the best remedy is good, fresh air. Hang what you can on the laundry line and let the rest sit out in the sun.

[neverdoingitagain]

Is it fabric that is the problem or the frame? If you have washed them and they still smell of smoke, maybe wash down the frame too.
I'm currently trying(sort of, kinda not really...) to find a way to get rid of the cigarette smell from the bedroom set my in-laws gifted us. Its a beautiful set, but man does it reek. I'm hoping it will dissipate with enough fresh air....
Anyway, try cleaning the frame/plastic/whatever

[SAHDS]

If it's a big enough issue, look into your local dry cleaners and see if anyone uses ozone. It's amazing! A friend of the family owned a cleaners and did all of the items when people would have house fires.