How do I get cigar smoke smell out of an old desk I have repainted shabby chic?

Question

I bought this old roll top desk and when I bought it it didn't smell obvious to me. I sanded it, primed it and repainted it. its a great shabby chic desk but the smell of smoke now is terrible and I dont know how to fix the problem. It seems like cigar smoke. I was told vinegar will make the desk smell like a pickled desk and now I just have candles and laundry sheets in the drawers instead. Any suggestions would be of help.Thanks

Answer 1

Put some small containers of baking soda in the drawers. That's what I had to do with an antique armoire that had a musty odor to it. FYI, as soon as I take the baking soda out for a while it starts to stink again, so I just keep a container of baking soda in it and change it out every few months.

Answer 2

Yes this is correct to use white vinegar to sponge down this desk, but there is one other thing you can do once it has been washed with vinegar, use a old container and fill it with 1/2 baking soda and half kitty litter and leave it in the drawers with them closed and even if you have a roll top put some in there too in the same way the baking soda and kitty litter will obsorb the cigar smell within a week or two, I did the very same thing when I bought a used desk but it did not smell of cigar it was musty smelling and I did this treatment and in one week it was fresh smelling, I do put around my home this mixture in places that have been smoked in and it made the rooms cleaner fresher smelling. Also you should change this mixture about every three months to keep it fresh Good Luck !

Answer 3

Use 100% Lemon Oil furniture oil. The Lemon oil will smell good and it actually will clean the wood. I don't know if it will work over the paint. If not, you may need to strip it down and clean the wood then after a few days, if all is clean, repaint. I pour the lemon oil on and let is soak in a little then with a clean dry cloth, wipe. If the wood is dry, it will soak in quickly, you may need to reapply the oil. Good Luck!

Answer 4

try febreeze?

there are 'odor absorbing sponges' you can purchase that will eliminate/suck out the smell.... you just open the container, removing the lid.. and set the container in the drawers and it should help.