posted on April 9, 2001 02:28:49 PM new
Smoke smell.. UGH!!! how nasty.
Nothing like opening up a box to get a big whiff of someone else's bad habit!
Ok... so.. anyone have any deodorizing tips?
this is a bunch of silk flowers, not something I can wash. I bought them to take apart fom their stems and decorate other items that I make and auction, and I will NOT sell anything that smells like this! It would be death to my business!
I currently have them inside a plastic bag, lying on top of a thin layer of kitty litter and baking soda, hoping that the godawful smoke smell will dissipate.
Any other suggestions for stuff that needs a little "help" in the scent department? this is not the first time I've had items arrive and be a little bit less than pleasant, but it's the first time it was a non washable item.
posted on April 9, 2001 02:51:47 PM new
I bought some clothes like that from an auction and washed them several times and the smell not only didn't fade, was just as strong as ever. I even used Tide!
Often times nothing will take that smell out. I'd contact the seller and demand a refund or something. I make sure it states in the auction that it's a nonsmoking home before I buy stuff now for most stuff.
posted on April 9, 2001 04:03:57 PM new
If you can't return it, you might try something like Febreeze. I've never used it on smoke-laden items, and I don't know if it would damage silk flowers. You could try spraying the flowers and putting then in a plastic bag for a few days. Let them sit out for another day and then see if the smell has gone. If not, toss 'em and ask future sellers if the item is from a smoke-free home.
posted on April 9, 2001 04:25:15 PM new
Oh my, I smoke and would not, could not ever do something like that to one of my buyers! Folks say those who smoke can't smell it. Well, that just ain't true because I can smell it a mile away! LOL. There are just ways to do this so you don't gag your customers!
You can wash silk flowers--I've done it several times. Run some warm water in the bathtub with a deodorizing soap. I would first try Dawn dish soap as it will strip any greasy residue from anything (I wash my hubby's greasy diesel clothes with Tide and Dawn to get out the yucky smell) then possibly even a really good shampoo like that Neutrogena stuff that strips residue out of hair if the Dawn doesn't work. (A good way to tell if a shampoo is good and will clean is to smell it and if it feels like it's going to rip the hair out of your nostrils it will likely remove almost any odor.)
And if that doesn't work, try adding a bit of Febreze to the water itself.
Ah, shoot, by now it'da been a whole lot easier just to see if you could get a refund from the seller, but just in case.
posted on April 9, 2001 04:35:16 PM new
wallypog - I agree! There are ways to keep the dratted habit from offending. 1 mild complaint in over 2 years...and that item sat for 4 weeks during the holidays (3 parties) waiting for payment! But...my state has been suffering from fires lately, and even though they haven't been in our county...one night the smoke was so bad I couldn't see to the end of the street and 911 got 700+ calls! By the time we figured it out...everything smelled smoky and I'm sure that was true for even the nonsmoking households that sell in the area!! And possibly stores as well.
posted on April 9, 2001 04:35:27 PM new
From a smoke free home means squat!!! If you buy items anywhere for resale you cannot guarantee they come from a smokefree home.
I have it in my TOS that I smoke and anyone who has an aversion to smoke should think about it. I state that I will not refund if this is the only problem they find.
When I sell clothing it is something I bought to resell and do not store them in my house. The same with books.
I put it in my TOS because I have gotten just one complaint. I offered a refund and they declined. Said they had aired the item out and it was fine.
posted on April 9, 2001 07:40:46 PM new
Someone sent me some really stinky (musty) mags. She packed some fabric softener sheets in the box. It really helped (not perfect, but better).
posted on April 9, 2001 08:12:46 PM new
Someone returned a dress to me and it stunk like smoke. I hung it outside for about a week and it aired out.
I also saw the fabric softener sheet tip just the other day, although I haven't tried it. Supposidly it repels ants too, so when it gets hot in the summer and the ants invade my cat's food bowl I'll try it.
sabreena20
posted on April 9, 2001 09:02:32 PM new
I won a puffkin and it smelled so bad of smoke I thought I would choke. It was more than just a smokey smell, it just plain stunk!
Anyway, I really loaded it down with febreeze and sit it in the sun to dry. It worked! So you might try spraying that on it. I don't think it will damage it, and it might help with the smell.
