How to get rid of smoke?

[Gracie123]

I recently bought a 'nearly-new' pram off ebay, which was advertised as only having been used a couple of times (I believe her, it looks in perfect nick) for a lot of money

Problem is, although it looks new, it smells absolutely foul and I can't imagine putting my precious new born in it She obviously failed to mention that she must smoke 50 a day in the house as the smell when we opened the box made both me and DH want to vomit.

I didn't complain at the time because:
i) I figured I never asked if she smoked
ii) with a new mattress and a clean I figured it would be fine.

Thing is, I've spent two weeks trying to clean it and I'm so heavily PG I can't take much more of this. It still stinks.

So far I have tried:

• Bleach
• Carpet and upholstery cleaner
• Febreeze
• Oust
• Kitty litter (tip from someone else!)
• Soaking in fabric conditioner

They all seem to work for a short period, but within 24 hours the smell is back.

Can anyone recommend some new cleaning methods or a wonder cleaning product to help out?

Materials:

• Leatherette
• Cotton
• Fleece

and a wooden base board - could that hold the smell?

Can you take it all to bits and put it through the washing machine? I did this with a push chair, undid the screws and everything, and it came up well.
Put everything outside to dry in the sun. What a PITA for you.

Yeah, have washed all the bits that would go through the washing machine and they seem to be okay.

It's the actual pram (won't fit) and hoods (won't fit) and car seat that doesn't seems to come apart as much as I'd like.

Also wasn't sure about putting leatherette through the washing machine?

Can you do that?

I put an ancient Silver Cross leatherette cover through the washing machine and it came up nicely although a chunk came off due to it's age. (1950's model)

Vinegar removes the smell of smoke in a room so perhaps it might work on the rest of the pram plus a good airing outside? Bicarb is great for removing hideous smells from upholstery - sprinkle a good layer on, wait for a couple of hours then brush it off. This worked when milk was spilled all over the car seats and the smell was terrible.

Thanks. I've sent DH out to buy some more vinegar, so I'll give that a go next.

Still trying to get all the kitty litter out at the moment!!

Just got email reply from manufacturer, you were right! It comes apart a lot more than I thought it did. Hopefully once it's all been through the wash a few times with some vinegar the smell will be gone.

Lucky we've got some sunny days to dry it all in! DS is complaining that it makes the bathroom smell bad!!

Done all of that. Still stinks to be honest.

DH says it's my oversensitive pregnant nose, but it actually really smells (to me).

Any other suggestions?

Are you able to put it out in the sun all day and night too for a really good airing?

Can other people still smell the smoke? Pregnant nose can be hypersensitive...

I'm all worried about the baby who was in the pram before you bought it and all that smoke.

Me too

It has been outside all day for 3 days now, but we are bringing it in at night so that it doesn't get rained on/dew in the mornings.

It smells... okay, when you first bring it in, but which ever room it is left in over night stinks in the morning and we have to open all the windows/use air freshener.

My mum says it's just a smell and won't harm the baby, but I'm not sure.

Me and DS (asthmatic) both feel wheezy in an enclosed space with it.

Can't believe I spent so much money and now I don't think I want to put my baby in it

Are you able to get a refund? It sounds as if it is unuseable and unsuitable for your baby.

I don't know what else to suggest - perhaps an ioniser in the room - some of them are very good at removing smoke smells and they are not too expensive. I think Boots sell them.

I don't think I'll be able to get a refund, looking at the sellers other feedback

Also, I didn't ask if she smoked, and she didn't advertise it as 'from a smoke free home' so I don't know what grounds I could complain to ebay on.

Due to move house in 3 weeks and have baby in 4. DH is going to be furious if I say we can't use this pram. I don't know what to do

Can you go through the complaints procedure on Ebay? I was sold some counterfeit clothes and complained then Ebay acted very quickly, offering a refund. It was all sorted within a few days.

It sounds like you have bought an item which is no use. A smokey pram for a baby is not acceptable any more.

I've already left her good feedback (was hasty!) would you contact her again?

Yes, it is worth trying, I think but do it through Ebay and explain. Go through the Resolution centre.

Would you go through the resolutions centre straight away? Or would you try to contact her first?

I don't use ebay much

I would (and did) go through the Resolution centre first. They do ask if you contacted the seller first but I could not not be faffed with that and told them.

My seller dribbled on about never selling counterfeit etc but was 'encouraged' by Ebay to offer an immediate refund.

I had washed the item as it was reeking of smoke.

Does it matter that we didn't use paypal? She insisted cash on collection. How would ebay make her refund me? (or even know whether she had or not?0