Removing cigarette odours

[SarahET]

We bought a used ball pit from eBay for my daughter's birthday party and naively didn't think about a kids item having been around smoke. It stinks of stale smoke and is unusable. I've tried cleaning the plastic balls with white vinegar which has reduced the smell but it's still clearly there. We spent quite a lot on it and can't really afford to take the financial hit. Does anybody have any experience getting cigarette odours out? Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Came here to suggest spraying with white vinegar and leaving outside but tbh if you've already tried that there's not much else you can do the smoke gets right into the fabric

It's outside at the moment so I'll keep my fingers crossed that the fresh air helps. Thanks for the suggestion!

Bicarb removes odours but you're going to need a lot

Washing with sugar soap and rinsing well

Soaking them in a bath of vinegar (cheap in Aldi) or fabric softener?

Milton?
Put them through the washer? Unstoppables?

I feel your pain I had something similar years ago though fabric was more porous

Thanks all, I've tried a mixture of the suggestions and seems to have worked. Just another three bin bags full of balls to go

Definitely put them in the washing machine on the lowest setting with some Milton.

Do you put the Milton in the drawer like you would powder?

Yes Sarah. It goes in the same compartment as the powder does :o) I would also make sure you give it an extra rinse after you've washed them.