Dwight Report post Posted January 9, 2023 I found a really nice US Navy leather jacket . . . bought it . . . didn't notice the cigarette smell until I got home with it. Anyone got a foolproof way to clean it without hurting it?? Lady said it was her dad's but he did not wear it hardly at all . . . then when he lost a bunch of weight . . . never wore it again. Just need a bit of help on this one . . . thanks. May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tugadude Report post Posted January 9, 2023 (edited) I have heard horror stories both from folks who tried to clean leather coats at home and through professionals. So proceed with caution I guess. Personally I would seek out an established garment cleaner who says they specialize in leather. But I would still check their feedback, which is usually able to be done through online reviews. Good luck, they only have one chance to do it right. Edit: just occurred to me maybe a fire restoration company might be worth asking. Edited January 9, 2023 by Tugadude Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MagdalenaAddams Report post Posted January 12, 2023 Hi Dwight, huge fan of your wealth of knowledge. Hopefully this will help. I would take the jacket and put it in some kind of airtight container with charcoal and leave it for a couple of weeks. Make sure it’s natural charcoal, usually the cheapest I can find at the grocery store with no lighter fluid on it, and keep an eye out for humidity and mold. The charcoal should have a neutral or clean smell. If it’s humid, I would air it out every few days or more. I used this approach with a freezer that was in storage for a while that smelled like old meat and fish so strong it was nauseating. Charcoal on a sheet pan for a couple of weeks worked really well. I have used it since to clean out fridge odors and it works great too. At worst you’re out $10, and it won’t damage the jacket. Let us know how it turns out and good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DwightT Report post Posted January 21, 2023 My wife's first husband had a leather bomber jacket that had a pretty heavy smoke odor (he was a heavy smoker). Before I started to wear it we just hung it outside in the sun for a while. I think it took a couple weeks, but the odor eventually dissipated. But I think the charcoal idea will probably work even better. /dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dwight Report post Posted January 21, 2023 Thanks, Guys . . . I did the saddle soap routine on it I think 3 times . . . hung it out in the sun . . . I'm thinking there is a smoker out there who would like a leather jacket cheap. It is absolutely nauseating in a closed up car with the heater on . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ferg Report post Posted January 22, 2023 Dwight, You may try this. I use "Ozium" neutralizer on my laser cut wood products. Available in most hardware stores in a small spray can. Ferg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites