One of the most common questions we get asked is how to remove smoke smells from sofas. Cigarette smoke is infamous for being difficult to remove from furniture as it doesn’t just stick to a material, the particles also permeate into it and imbed themselves there. What makes removing smoke smells even more difficult is the addition of leather which is particularly absorbent of smells and sensitive to many cleaning chemicals. But have no fear, if you’re looking for how to get rid of smoke smell on a leather sofa, you’re in the right place!
Keep reading for our favourite home remedies that have freshened up our leather sofas in no time!
Make the Most of White Vinegar
Our go-to method for removing any strong odour from a leather sofa is to use white vinegar, and smoke is no different. White vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent that will not only remove smoke odours but will also leave your sofa looking cleaner than before and eradicate the smoke particles altogether.
To eliminate the smoke smell from your leather sofa, mix together equal parts water and white vinegar in a bowl. Using a soft fabric cloth, such as an old t-shirt, gently apply the mixture to your sofa making sure not to over-saturate the leather. We recommend removing the cushions from your sofa if possible, to ensure you get every nook and cranny.
Leave your sofa in a well-ventilated area and gently buff the leather with a dry, clean cloth once the vinegar has completely evaporated. At this point, your sofa should be smelling considerably fresher and looking much cleaner.
If you’re unable to completely wipe down the sofa, we suggest putting the white vinegar mixture into a spray bottle and giving the whole sofa a light mist. This method may take a few rounds to completely eliminate the smoke odour but the end result will be the same.
Give Baking Soda a Go
Continuing on the theme of cupboard items, using baking-soda could be the answer you’re looking for. Baking soda is known to absorb all kinds of smells including cigarette smoke and is commonly used around the house to eliminate lingering odours.
We recommend removing all the cushions from your leather sofa if possible and laying them flat. Sprinkle the baking soda over the entire sofa, including the areas where the cushions would normally sit, until it has a light dusting over the entire surface area. Allow it to sit for up to 12 hours before vacuuming it all away. You will need to complete this method for both sides of the cushions.
If you find that the smoke smell has not completely disappeared from your leather sofa, we recommend repeating the process a second time.
Use Store-Bought Fresheners
If you’re unsure about using home remedies, there are several odour eliminators that are available to buy in-store. Brands such as Febreze and Oust can be found in the majority of supermarkets in the cleaning aisle, and they often come in a range of scents.
We recommend looking for products that are specifically labelled with ‘odour eliminator’ and not ‘freshener’ as these will work to break down the smoke particles rather than just masking them.
Before using store-bought products, we recommend testing them on a small and inconspicuous patch of your leather sofa to ensure they have no adverse effects such as discolouring or drying. Once you’re happy they’re safe to use, lightly spray the entire sofa including the backs of all the cushions. Leave it to sit for a few hours in a well-ventilated area and repeat as necessary until the smoke smell has completely disappeared.
Use a Leather Conditioner
Sometimes, one of the best ways to get rid of smoke smells is to condition your leather sofa. We love this method as it has the added benefit of restoring the leather back to a healthier condition, as well as making it smell as good as new again.
Leather is naturally infused with oils that give it the durability that makes it such a useful material. Replenishing those oils periodically is essential to maintain the quality of your leather sofa and remove any odour-causing particles such as smoke.
In general, a few drops of any natural oil will be suitable to use. We personally recommend flaxseed oil or coconut oil. As with the store-bought cleaners, you should always do a patch test on an inconspicuous area of your sofa to ensure the oil will have no negative effects.
When you’re ready to apply it, simply take a few drops on a soft cloth and gently work it into the leather over the entire sofa. When it comes to oil, remember that a little goes a long way! Allow it to completely absorb over the course of 24 hours and you should notice that any smoke smells are completely removed. Remember that any non-leather elements of your sofa will need to be treated with a different method to remove the odour.
Hire Professional Cleaning Services
At the end of the day, the best thing you can do to get rid of smoke smell from a leather sofa is to hire a professional cleaning service. It can end up costing you a fair amount but if you’ve tried everything else and you’re not willing to buy a new sofa, it’s certainly worth considering.
Professional cleaners will have leather-safe chemicals that will not only remove the smoke smell from your sofa but will also bring it back to looking like new. These products are industrial strength and very difficult to buy as an everyday consumer which is where the added cost comes from. They may also consider using a steam treatment to draw the smells from out of the leather’s pores.
We also recommend hiring a professional cleaning service if your patch tests are showing negative reactions to the home remedies we’ve suggested. This is because your leather sofa may be treated with particular chemicals that have to be cleaned in a specific way. Professional cleaners are well trained and will recognise any added difficulties such as these, making sure your leather sofa is not destroyed in the process of removing smoke smells.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of smoke smell from your leather sofa doesn’t have to be difficult and using our methods, you’re bound to have it smelling fresh in no time. If you have any questions about the content mentioned in this article, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here.
Disclaimer – We do not take responsibility for any damage that may occur to your furniture.
