Smoke Damage

[brightspot]

I have a problem. I bought a dresser for storing yarn. It seemed alright in the store and was in the car for several hours with no problem. Now that the dresser is in my room though I noticed that the drawers smell like smoke ! Does anyone know a way to get the smoke smell out of the wood before dh goes after it with fabreeze (I told him it was for fabric, but he is tired of the smell already). I really like the dresser and don't want to get rid of it, but I need to clean it with something that won't put another odor into the yarn. Help!

[Knitting_Guy]

Is this cigarette smoke or something like fire smoke?

If cigarette smoke, clean it completely, inside and out, with something like Orange Clean to remove all traces of the nicotine that is likely coating it.

If it's from a fire, you could be out of luck as that sort of acrid smoke odor is nearly impossible to remove.

[brightspot]

I think it is from someone storing their cigarette smelling clothes in it since the outside wood doesn't smell. Won't the orange stuff mess up the yarn?

[Jan in CA]

I doubt Febreze would hurt it and it might work wonders. I think what I'd do is use the Febreze and let it dry, then sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the drawer and close it up for a couple days.

I found a few links that might give you some ideas.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf201130.tip.html
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/647584/

[usamacka]

Have you tried Murphy's Oil Soap? Wash it with that and leave it outside or in a well ventilated room. I used that once to rid an organ that was shipped out from Ohio from a smoker's house. Took a while but the smell was gone.

[Knitting_Guy]

No the "orange stuff" won't harm the yarn. Use it to do the cleaning, rinse well with a cloth soaked with plain water, and allow it to dry completely. The stuff works wonders for cutting through a lot of stuff like that.

Murphy's is also an excellent suggestion.

[brightspot]

Thank you so much those are all excellent suggestions. We have been racking our brains trying to come up with a solution. I will get busy on it right now.

[vaknitter]

I second the vote for cleaning it out and then leaving baking soda set it in. I use baking soda for getting the musty smell out of towels, sheets, fridge, carpet etc. You can vacuum it out of the drawers and wipe them with a damp rag.
Best of Luck - I hate that smoky smell.

[Matdredalia]

I gotta' go with usamacka & Knitting_Guy -- Murphy's Oil Soap is incredible. You would not believe the godawful smells I've seen it get out. It's seriously the cure-all.

Like they said though, make sure you ventilate it or the smell will stay in your drawers for a long, long time.

[bethany]

also charcoal (like to BBQ with) and newspaper balls. Fill the drawers and let the odor get absorbed, throw away, then re-do it until all the smell is gone. It may take a few times. Try to let it sit outside (garage vs the snow/rain!) and air out after this too...bummer! Hope these ideas work!