Smelly bag

[ChrisPriss]

Hello, I'm looking for some ideas on how to get rid of the smell of stale smoke from a handbag I've just bought from eBay - it's too cold and frosty to hang on the washing line outside. Thanks x

Hmm, you could spray it with deodorant (preferably one without antiperspirant) - this works well on smoke smells ime.

But it depends what the bag is made of. It might mark it or damage it.

I don't think that kind of smell ever goes, but if I was trying I'd probably use Febreze furniture spray.

I had this when I bought a bag from a charity shop. Didn’t notice the smell until I got it home. Stuff the bag with crumpled up newspaper and place in a black bin liner, surround the bag with more crumpled up newspaper. Leave in a dark cupboard for at least two weeks and the paper should absorb the smell. Totally worked for me... although I forgot about the bag and it was in my cupboard for a few months!!!

Thank you, I'll go for a mixture of all the ideas x

sprinkle bicarb in the bottom and lots of dryer sheets then seal it inside a carrier bag for a few days.
I have a beautiful Coach bag that had the same issues but the above cured them.

It's not an expensive, fabulous bag like Coach, I'd have been broken hearted if it was! Thanks x

If you use fabric conditioner or the fragrance booster pearls you can make a solution of those mixed with hot water in a spray bottle.

Give it a really good shake and spray it inside the bag - then leave it to dry somewhere.
Might be best to try the newspaper trick first but I use my mix of the above as a fabric refresher and it does work!

A bag of cat litter sealed and with the bag inside. It can take a while though, and the silicone litter is best. If it is a leather bag use some leather softener/cleaner/balm. Do you have a garage you could put it in to air?

White vinegar and water sprayed on it carefully, depending on what it is made of? I use vinegar on most things that arrive stinking of smoke or Febreze or cheap perfume (even expensive perfume) except in one case where it had a kind of oily residue from some kind of stinky perfume stuff which would not come off, seller refused to acknowledge smell but I returned it in the end.

I wouldn't use any of the fake perfume things like dryer sheets, Febreze etc. as you will never get rid of the smell of those and all they do is mask the original smell. Not to mention they are toxins.

It's currently in the freezing cold garage, I'm hoping that will help x

Spraying cheap vodka several times and leaving it to air for about a week sorted my lovely leather smokey bag

Still smells... off to the charity shop!