Removing cigarette odors from bags?

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brookeab

brookeab

O.G.
Oct 28, 2009
233
16
#1
Hello everyone!

So today I got a bag in the mail I have been wanting for some time. Sea mist preston! I got it for 150 off ebay. The seller didn't disclose they were a smoker, or that there was anything wrong with the bag. There was one inside mark, a small mark on the bottom of the bag, and it smells TERRIBLE. She also didn't really clean the lining out too well, there were a lot of bits in the inside. All that was fixable, but phew it stinks. She had stuffed dryer sheets in there but the smell is still awful. I took it to work with me and its a good 6 feet away from my desk and I can smell it from where I sit. Any options to remove the smell? I have never got a second hand bag that smelled this bad before. It is a bag I have wanted for some time, so I don't want to return it. Anyone successfully remove odors from their bags?

Thanks!
 
#2
I received a blue lacquer phoebe from eBay in nov with the same horrible stench. I have cleaned it, hung it out on my patio for weeks, boxed it up with baking soda packets, febreezed it.....you name it I have tried and I can still smell the smoke. On the few occasions I did use it I ended up with my wallet and wristlets getting a slight smoke smell too.
I have given up on it for now and I don't think I will ever be able to use the purse. My seller also didn't disclose the smell and when I contacted her about it she said her son smokes in her house but she doesn't. well regardless of who smokes the bag stinks !!!
I think there are some posts in the rehab thread that cover removing the smoke smell.
Good luck .
 
#3
I bought a bag from a heavy smoker once (it was only $10 so I was willing to risk it), and it took a lot of time, but I was able to rid it of the smoke smell, and I'm very sensitive. I pulled the lining and washed it a number of times. I washed the outer surface of the leather with leather cleaner multiple times and then put it out in the sun for a while and filled it with dryer sheets and socks full of charcoal. I also put it in a bag with charcoal socks and baking soda. After a long time the smell was quite a bit more faint, and within a few months it was gone.
 
#5
I would reconsider returning it. Over time another one will come up. I have received 2 funky smelling bags from ebay and I could not remove the smell even after trying everything I had read to try. I ended up donating both bags over time as I couldn't enjoy the bags.
 
#7
Honestly I would return it to the ebay seller. I had this happen to me and the smoke smell was so strong I could smell it before I opened the box. Now if the seller does not disclose it, I ask. Nothing will get the smell out I am afraid. Not worth the hassle
 
#8
melissatrv said:
Honestly I would return it to the ebay seller. I had this happen to me and the smoke smell was so strong I could smell it before I opened the box. Now if the seller does not disclose it, I ask. Nothing will get the smell out I am afraid. Not worth the hassle
Click to expand...
I totally agree ! RETURN IT asap.
Such a disgusting smell that is too much hassle to deal with.
Plus, people might think your a smoker when you carry it. YUCK !:yucky:
 
#9
I am glad others have chimed in about the returning as well. Seriously, over time you will regret keeping it when you can't get the smell out. One of my bags I had to dunk to get the smell out, and though I revived it, it never was as good of a bag as it could have been without the smell and then having to dunk it. I spent a good amount on that bag...money wasted.

The other I tried everything I could to get whatever weird smell the owner got on this bag, and a year later it still smelled just as bad. I just donated it a couple of weeks ago. That one wasn't cheap either.

Luckily I have gotten some great bags on Ebay that make up for these losses, but it was still disappointing. In the future I wouldn't hesitate to return a smelly bag.
 
#10
Return! Seriously I hang out in the rehab thread all the time and lots of bags retain that odor even after being dunked numerous times.

You will find that bag again without odors.
 
#12
I agree, I would try to return it. I've successfully gotten rid of smoke smell, but it took several months. I think perfume is harder to get rid of. However, ebay does not consider smoke smell to be "significantly not as described." People have lost claims for that reason, as smells are considered to be a normal condition of a used bag.
 
#13
I'm with the other posters...return it. I had a fabric Coach bag that reeked of smoke and despite numerous dunks, sprays, charcoal/chalk...it still reeked. I threw it away.
 
#14
whateve said:
I agree, I would try to return it. I've successfully gotten rid of smoke smell, but it took several months. I think perfume is harder to get rid of. However, ebay does not consider smoke smell to be "significantly not as described." People have lost claims for that reason, as smells are considered to be a normal condition of a used bag.
Click to expand...

I'd still try a snad if the seller isn't cooperative though, eBay needs to learn that a significant odor should be disclosed
 
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