Second hand sofa and newborn

[BernardBlacksHangover]

Aibu or am I being a bit overly cautious?

Our (lovely) second hand sofas have just arrived and they have a mild but easily identifiable cigarette smell.

DH said the previous owner was smoking outside when he went to collect them today, but he didn’t notice a smoky smell in the house. When he went to look at them the first time, he didn’t notice anyone smoking or anything, or we may have asked if anyone smoked in the house before we bought them.

We have a newborn baby (4 weeks) and a 3yo. Do I need to do some sort of deep clean before I plonk myself on the sofa to watch a movie with the toddler and feed the baby? Might be being overly cautious, obviously, but thought I’d ask the wise ones of MN.

That sounds like doable advice (I'd still chuck bicarb at it though )

Fwiw, I gave up smoking a few years ago to have dd but dp didn't. He smokes outside and all that jazz but it's definitely part of 'his smell' iyswim. Just like anything in a house smells like it's occupants it's not unthinkable that it's transferred. Before I gave up I would have been very sceptical of that but it's true.

I suppose if it's transferred from a smokers clothes/breath (third hand smoke) it's actually fourth hand smoke?

I've used that vanish carpet cleaner on mine to get rid of fart arsed dog smell and it worked a treat and actually does clean it. It's slightly damp and you brush it in then hoover up. Brill stuff!

I was just thinking that earlier! 4th hand smoke!

I genuinely don’t even mind the smell. It’s not stinky, just a whiff. I do notice it when I walk into the living room now though, so it may be getting stronger. I’ve booked a pro cleaner to come in two weeks time. Was the earliest they could do. The baby and I will probably hang out in my room a lot till then! It’s warmer up here anyway.

I bought a dolls house that smelt really strongly of smoke (I started a thread on it)
Weeks later and to me it still smells although everyone else says it doesn't!
I'm too scared to let my kid play with it so it's still in the garage!

Did you pay a lot of money?
Did the company say its guaranteed to remove the chemicals and smell?
Hopefully it works!

We paid £500 for them and they’re looking very sofas. We’ve got rid of the old ones now and also had to hire a man & van to bring the ‘new’ ones here. It is annoying as we wouldn’t have bought them if we’d known they were smoky. Dh wonders if part of the smell is plaster as well as he said they were renovating the house. It could be a plaster-y smell, but I can’t tell. Anyway we’re having them cleaned.

The cleaning company haven’t made any guarantees, but they have some spiel on their website about deep steam cleaning for stain and odour removal. Hopefully it does the job.

*they’re lovely sofas

newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=75963

This suggests you might be safest to get rid.

I wouldn't be worried, as I think the actual risk is negligible from 'third hand' smoke, but I just wouldn't want the whiffy sofa, I'd have to eliminate the smell or get rid.

Is it small enough to dampen then put outside to dry in the morning if it's fine? Early morning sunlight kills a lot of germs and it should smell fresher

Good thinking with calling Lullaby trust!

Ugh I’ve just walked into the living room and it stinks of smoke. Dh is going to attempt to return them, though I’m not holding out much hope. If we can’t return them I’m ordering some from m&s who will deliver in 7 days and take away the old ones too. Ffs. Expensive lesson learnt that “smoke free home” doesn’t mean smoke free products . So annoying, as I hate buying too many things new for environmental reasons as well as cost.

If you google upholstery cleaning services you should find someone in your area who will come round and deep clean them for you. We’ve done this a couple of times costs about £80 for two sofas.

That's crap op! Deffo try and get your money back!