Secondhand toys and smoke - any hope?

[bigbluehamster]

I bought three crates of one brand of plastic toy on FB marketplace. Tracks, cars, and fire stations etc.

Got it home and it all absolutely REEKS of smoke. It smells like really old smoke that's built up over years.

Obviously am gutted and feeling foolish for not even checking when I picked it up.

I have sprayed some of it with antibacterial spray and I'm airing it out in the garden.

1. Can I ever get this out, properly?

1. Even if I do and it seems to be fine, could it still be harmful for my son to play with? I guess I'm worried about toxins having seeped into the internals.

The smoke will likely have seeped in to the plastic. You could try a hot soapy wash, followed by a soak in diluted bicarb.
Get him to wash his hands after playing with them and don't leave them in his bedroom.

I'd probably message the seller and complain. Probably would let him play with them in garden only tbh

Thanks. I think I'm going to have to ask them to take them back, aren't I. I'll never feel comfortable with him touching them I don't think!

If it's plastic I would give it a good wash.

Sunshine/UV breaks down smoke, so you could wait for a sunny day. Give them all a good wash and then leave them out in direct sunlight for 8 hours or more. Or if you have a UV steriliser use that, if it is big enough. We have the tommee tippee UV steriliser from when DC was a baby so something like that would work.

White vinegar, baking soda are also favourites for removing nicotine. I'm sure the product 'elbow grease' might work too. Guess you need to patch test to make sure it doesn't strip the colour.

I think you could probably salvage them.

For a soft toy I was recommended bicarb - put toy in bag with cupful of bicarb, seal, shake and leave overnight. Shake off the powder then bung through the washing machine. Worked on that one, not sure if something similar would work on plastic toys?

Definitely get new storage boxes.