Shower gift smells like smoke - help!

jln114 · October 2015

Hi everyone, I recently had my baby shower, which was so lovely. One guest wrapped a basket of little gifts for our baby girl -- unfortunately, it reeks of cigarette smoke! Any ideas for getting the stink out? There are washable items and books etc. Thanks!

BlondeMomma92 · October 2015

i'd wash the things that are able to be washed, and maybe find a way to get the smell out of the things that can't be washed, like set them in an open and well ventilated area, maybe all it needs is time to air out.

Falchas · October 2015

Had a similar experience, I have some wonderful, lovely aunts who love buying baby things, but unfortunately they do smoke and don't realize how much it "spreads" when things are in their cars or houses. Anyhow, with washables I did a normal wash and then hung everything outside to dry, did the smell check and rewashed if necessary. The combo of fresh air and washing seemed to do the trick. Anything that I couldn't wash I put out in the sun/air for as long as I could. If that failed, I just had to throw out and hoped the thank you card I wrote was enough to satisfy!

Someone with a better grasp of the science of smoke please correct me, but I think all the yucky stuff can get into fibers and whatnot, so if you're not confident in it, you probably don't want it next to a newborn. I think as long as the person knows how much you appreciate the thought, that's what counts.

JLW0504 · October 2015

I received a blanket for Ellie that smelled like a cigarette factory. We had to was it 4 times before the smell came out. With the non washable items, I'd wipe them down with a sort of soapy/powdery mixture (recipes can be found on Pinterest) and leave them out in a well ventilated area.

Or, take them to a consignment shop and repurchase them.

MaeMae91 · October 2015

You could try adding baking soda to your wash cycle for the washable items, then sprinkle the hard or non- washable things with baking soda, set them out in fresh air, and then shake the powder off. Baking soda does wonders for stinky things

CarrieOct15 · October 2015

I had the same issue with a few gifts as well. My grandma had a beautiful blanket personalized with the baby's name, but luckily it only took 1 wash to get the stink out. The other gift was a pretty puzzle she put together and had framed. We threw out the frame (it was black so I would have reframed it anyway), and aired out the puzzle next to the open sliding door for a couple days. It did the trick.

Ceridwen77 · October 2015

Baking soda in with the load of laundry and lots of fresh air should do it!

wulfpackgirl · October 2015

My husband's aunt gave us two bags of stuff that reeked of smoke at our shower. She actually gave us some good stuff though. I washed the clothes and blankets twice to get the smell out. The healthcare kit she gave us I retuned to walmart since someone else also gave us one and the other stuff I've just let air out for a week or so. Smell seems to be gone. Thankfully it was mostly washable stuff.

jln114 · October 2015

Thanks, everyone! Very helpful.

Emilie121011 · October 2015

Super helpful... We had the same issue!!!

Midgetsmommy13 · October 2015

Everything my mom gives me I have to wash right away for the same reason. I just repeat the wash until I feel the smell is gone.

grapesoda1111 · October 2015

Ditto on the baking soda! Wash everything several times

Gapeach83 · October 2015

No advice I just wanted to say thank you for not complaining and just trying your best to use them. It's refreshing to see people not rant about gifts they received. You seem to appreciate them. Of course getting smoke smell out is important but good to see someone trying to fix not bitch. BTW that goes for all the ladies that said the same.

nano1 · October 2015

I didn't read all the posts, but are you able to exchange the items?

susanb15 · October 2015

I used fabreeze on a needle point gift that is very sentimental to my husband's side of the family. The aunt who has had the gift has had it for many years in a smoky home. It took a few spray downs and airing out, but they are pretty good now.

mlfitch · October 2015

I got a bag of baby clothes at a garage sale and didnt realize they smelled till i got them in my car. I soaked them for about an hour in the washer with vinegar and baking soda. Then finished washing them then ran them thru one more cycle and they were not smelly. The non washable you may be able to sprinkle with baking soda and let it sit and air out. Especially outside sunlight is like a natural bleaching agent and should help.

elittler · October 2015

I would wash anything that can be washed, but if there are things that you can return/repurchase I would go ahead and do that. My mom is infamous for sending stuff that reeks of smoke and that's what we do.

agerstner · October 2015

I've never used baking soda but have had wonderful success with white vinegar taking out stink in my washer. The others, I'd probably donate or toss. Don't really want smokey things in other people's homes either.

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