Dana asked: How do I remove cigarette smell from dresser drawers? I purchased this used dresser, and smelly, cigarette clothes must have been stored in the drawers. I have tried using dryer sheets in each drawer, but that has not worked. Please help!
When
cigarette smell gets absorbed by wooden furniture, it can take some time to remove it completely. The processes are simple and can safely be repeated until the odor is removed. These methods are safe for most types of wood, however it is always best to test a cleaning solution on a small hidden area first.
You Will Need:
- Vinegar
- Water
- Baking soda
- Coffee grounds (unused)
- Soft cloths
- Spray bottle
- Vacuum
Steps to Remove the Cigarette Odor:
- Begin by mixing ½ cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
- Mist the surfaces of the furniture piece.
- Wipe away any excess moisture to avoid spotting.
- Allow the piece to air dry completely.
- Repeat as necessary, vinegar is great at removing odors.
- Baking soda also absorbs odors well and can be applied a couple of different ways:
- It can be sprinkled directly onto the surface and inside of drawers. Allow it to sit for at least 24 hours before removing. For the best results, close the drawers with the baking soda inside.
- The baking soda can be wiped out or vacuumed away.
- Again, repeat as necessary until the odors are gone.
- If you want minimal clean-up, place a bowl filled with baking soda or fresh (unused) coffee grounds next to or inside the furniture piece. Allow them to sit there for a day or two and absorb the odor.
- Discard and repeat with fresh baking soda/coffee grounds until the smell is gone.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If it’s possible, set the furniture outdoors, completely open and allow it to air out. The smell will naturally dissipate.
- Newspapers also absorb odors and can easily be placed around many furniture pieces. The process may take longer, but can be a cheap, effective fix.
I purchased used bedroom furniture and the smell of smoke and perfume is horrible. I’ve tried the vinegar and the baking soda several times and it’s still not good. If I put a coat of poly, will that work? Please advise; I’m ready to put it all at the curb. Hope you can help.
I tried the vinigar solution on a wardrobe I purchased, and the smell if anything is worse. I’m going to have to take it to the tip, it’s disgusting. I seriously don’t think any of these methods work.
Margie,
Yes, as a last resort, coating the wood with sealant can stop the odors. However, you will then need to remove the odor from the sealant, particularly if using polyurethane. Instead of polyurethane, try using a more eco and health-friendly wood sealant, such as those described on Sustainable Baby Steps, some of which are reported to have little to no odor, or a pleasant nutty odor.
Source: About.com – Ideas for Removing Odors from Wood
Sources: SFGate – Is Polyurethane Coating on Wood Floors Toxic?
I’m dealing with the same issue except the cabinets are attached to the bathroom wall. I’ve tried all the recommended methods, still stinking…I’m thinking of spray painting Kilz Original paint. I’m at my wits end…
Has anyone tried painting?
Hi there! Just wanted to say thank you for the tips about removing smoke smells from wooden furniture. I recently bought a dresser from a resale site and although it looked nice, it reeked of stale smoke. I tried putting baking soda in the drawers and leaving it for a few days, to no avail. This morning, I tried the vinegar and water solution and it worked right away! So, thank you again. You made my day!
I have used straight lemon oil. I vacuumed the night table and the smell has dissipated.
I was successful in removing odors by placing charcoal in a sock and leaving it in each drawer after cleaning with vinegar.
I just purchased a used a high quality solid cherry entertainment center. I can’t believe I didn’t notice the smoke smell before I purchased it. Now my living room reeks!! May I add that I have breathing reactions to smoke? The piece is large and entirely too heavy to place outside. Will the beautiful finish be ruined if I try the spray of vinegar and water? If that doesn’t work, where can I buy lemon oil that was mentioned in another comment? Thank you in advance!
Crystal,
A vinegar/water mix should not harm the finish, however, it is always best to test in a small hidden area first to look for any adverse reaction. Lemon oil most likely refers to a lemon oil product commonly used on wood, such as Holloway House Lemon Oil, which is available online and at Walmart and Walgreens, or Weiman Lemon Oil, which is also available at Walmart and Walgreens. You may also be able to find lemon oil products at hardware stores, such as Guardsman Lemon Oil, which is available at Home Depot. Good luck!
I recently found an antique desk. It had been used in a very smoky environment. I am very excited to try this vinegar technique to remove the odor.
Thank you for the information. Your site has been very helpful!
I have just bought a table and chairs secondhand and they stink of smoke and cooking smells. I have washed it down with water with bicarbonate of soda and lemon juice and sprayed with Febreze, but it still smells. Please help.
Darlene,
The baking soda should be used dry and allowed to sit on the wood, not used with water as a wash – it needs time to absorb the odors. There are some other ideas in the article that you can work as well: washing with white vinegar, using coffee grounds dry, using newpapers dry, etc. Good luck!
I bought a dresser that had a bad odor of cigarette smoke. Used vinegar solution four times already and it still has a slight smell too it. How many times can you use this solution ’til it goes away?
Tim,
You can use the solution as many times as needed. It sounds like you’ve gotten the majority and you’re just trying to finish off the remaining bit. Try wiping it with the vinegar mix in places that you weren’t focusing on in previous wipes, such as along edges or even underneath or along the back. If you just can’t stand wiping it down any more, try setting a bowl or two of vinegar near it for an hour to do the work for you. Good luck!
I purchased a dresser that I can’t remove the smoke smell from it. I’ve used your vinegar treated with no success. If I try sprinkling the baking soda directly in the dresser as a treatment, do you close the dresser draws after putting baking soda in them for 24 hours?
Donna,
Yes, closing the drawers will help the baking soda inside them to work better because it will be a small, enclosed space.
I purchased a wooden bed frame and it too smells smoky. I have washed it down with sugar soap and put it outside to air. If that doesn’t work I’m definitely trying the vinegar and water. Thanks and will let you know how I get on.
I bought wooden cabinets and they had the smell of cigarettes. I put clothes in the cabinets and the clothes smell like cigarettes now too, so my question is, will the smell go away if I wash the clothes? One thing more, if I buy a spray, for example Zep, will it work or is it a waste of money?
And I will make sure to try out the vinegar and water solution and let you know how it goes.
Thank you in advance!
Zahida,
This is the article you need to remove the cigarette odor from the clothes: How to Remove Smoke Smell from Fabrics. For any cleaner, read the label of the product to determine if it is safe for your surface and/or finish, then test any cleaner on a small hidden area first to be sure it’s safe. In general, vinegar and water is all you need to clean wood. If you’d like to make your own wood cleaner, see the guide DIY Wood Cleaner. Good luck!
Yes, I was just given a beautiful wooden sleigh bed frame and it reeks of stale cigarette smoke. I left it outside, have not brought it yet in the house and I’m hoping it will remove the odor just from leaving it outside. If not, what shall I do?
Darlene,
You can clean the wood off with the vinegar mixture while it’s still outside. Unfortunately, the powder methods (coffee, baking soda) probably won’t work outside due to the wind and also due to the open air.
If you have access to a room like a garage…lay the headboard flat to the ground. Cover with 15 lb bag of baking soda OR cat liter with activated charcoal. Let sit for a week. Turn it over and do the other side. This worked for me in the summer in Texas.