Help please! I just bought a blanket box off eBay and it stinks of smoke.

[monkeynumberthree]

It really stinks! It's out in the garden at the moment as I brought it into the porch for a minute and the smell of stale fags was grim (and I speak as an ex-smoker).

What can I do to de-stink it quickly? I can't leave it out in the garden all night and we don't have a garage. It's an antique wooden box lined with paper.

Any advice much appreciated!

Bicarb of soda, liberally sprinkled, leave for 24hrs then hoover out.

Thanks trice, good idea! I'll give it a whirl...

Dish of chopped onions is worth a go too. If not - fe breeze?

Bicarbonate of soda. Lots of it. Perhaps even two lots over two days. And wipe the exterior and the interior parts not lined with paper with a well wrung out cloth (micro fiber) with hot water with a few drops of lavender essential oil. That will help.

I had something like this. The smell went eventually but took ages :(

I find, a barely damp sponge with a bucket of warm water and half a drop of WUL, repeat, repeat.

You will find the smell comes off as it dries, and the water also smells, so it must be taking it off the wood.

Don't let the wood get wet or damp especially in the joints as this will make it warp.

leaving it outside to air is very good, especially to dry off while sponging.

If the outside actually has tarry deposits then clean with a rag and white spirit, not the same day as the water treatment. White spirit will remove wax or oil treatments, but not French Polish and (probably) not old, hardened varnish, but test a hidden part.

Thanks for all the good ideas/advice, as we were away this weekend I left it in my lovely neighbour's car port with an entire pot of bicarbonate of soda in it, and that has worked pretty well. It is sitting out in the sunshine in the garden today, so I'll bring it into the house this evening and see how it is... I'll try the various wiping down suggestions if it's still stinky. Thanks for the tips