Getting cigarette smoke smell out of gun leather

[CraigC]

I would try the ozone generator first.

[fre3]

When I was a kid my dad would use shaving cream on our baseball gloves. Maybe that would help? Shoe polish also might be a possibility? Ballistol?

[LeverGunner]

When I did the vinegar treatment I mentioned previously, I was after it's killing effect. I can't say I'd recommend it as a normal cleaning agent. I gave the sheath I mentioned a thorough soaking in vinegar, then I rinse under the tap. I let it dry for a couple days and then put it in the ziploc with baking soda. It worked to kill and then remove the smell of the mold/mildew. I kept the knife in my knife box for about a year after that and the smell never came back, nor did my box take on the smell.

When I was working on cleaning some things that came out of my moms house, who was a heavy smoker, I found that alcohol sanitation wipes did pretty good for removing cigarette tar. Alcohol will also remove the dye in leather if you are vigorous.

[ohnomrbillk]

Apr 27, 2023 10:26:53 GMT -5 marcruger said:

I worked with my dad for years on leather work. When we'd get in items with cigarette smoked leather stench, we'd use saddle soap on it. Work up a lather using a damp sponge, and scrub fully. The saddle soap will not harm the leather. Straight water will dry out the leather, but saddle soap doesn't. I would not use vinegar. That would be adding acid to the leather, not a recipe for long leather life. Once the leather has dried fully after saddle soap, put the item in the sun on a sunny day. Sunlight helps with the smell. I trust my suggestions are helpful. God Bless, Marc

The ozone generator will work. If used too often, it with dry things out to the point of ruining them.

Many CPAP devices have been recalled in the last few years. It’s because regular use of the ozone machine breaks down the gaskets in the CPAP, and you’re left inhaling powdered gasket particles.

I’ve had to fulfill the physician side of getting replacements. The local DME company gave me 500 preprinted forms, and the check box for using ozone cleaners is the one that gets them replacement.

And I’m almost out of forms…

Might look into seeing if your CPAP needs replacing. Just FYI.

[potatojudge]

May 1, 2023 5:14:45 GMT -5 ohnomrbillk said:

Apr 27, 2023 10:26:53 GMT -5 marcruger said:

I worked with my dad for years on leather work. When we'd get in items with cigarette smoked leather stench, we'd use saddle soap on it. Work up a lather using a damp sponge, and scrub fully. The saddle soap will not harm the leather. Straight water will dry out the leather, but saddle soap doesn't. I would not use vinegar. That would be adding acid to the leather, not a recipe for long leather life. Once the leather has dried fully after saddle soap, put the item in the sun on a sunny day. Sunlight helps with the smell. I trust my suggestions are helpful. God Bless, Marc

The ozone generator will work. If used too often, it with dry things out to the point of ruining them.

Many CPAP devices have been recalled in the last few years. It’s because regular use of the ozone machine breaks down the gaskets in the CPAP, and you’re left inhaling powdered gasket particles.

I’ve had to fulfill the physician side of getting replacements. The local DME company gave me 500 preprinted forms, and the check box for using ozone cleaners is the one that gets them replacement.

And I’m almost out of forms…

Might look into seeing if your CPAP needs replacing. Just FYI.

Ozone degradation products are unpredictable. There's so many chemicals in our homes, cars, etc- some safe on their own and others already unsafe- and when exposed to ozone it's hard to know which might break down into something harmful.

For something like a holster I'd get a large cardboard box to hold everything and run it outside for a few hours, then make sure not to breathe the contents as you open the box. 

[parallaxbill]

Take up cigar smoking. Better than cigs.😁

[saleen322]

Seen an ad for an odor removal product called Pooph. No personal experience but they claim it will even take out smells as strong as skunk.

[cas]

Well I can tell you the shed method isn't working. lol I moved it yesterday and Pee-Ew!

[DutchV]

I've used Febreze to get tobacco smoke out of shirts and jackets. They even have one they call "Free" that is unscented. I've never tried it on leather. Might be worth a look.

[marcruger]

The point of my earlier post was apparently lost on a few folks. If getting rid of the smell is the only goal, there are plenty of ways to do that. Shred it and send it to a landfill, explosives, burning, decomposing with caustic chemicals, etc. What I was trying to suggest is a solution that will result in longevity for the leather. Leather is skin - usually cow skin that has been tanned. Would you like the chemicals mentioned above rubbed into your skin? Think about the end result. It is possible to eliminate the smell and ruin the leather holster. Saddle soap was created to....wait for it.....clean leather. It also replaces moisture lost over time. Not trying to be a jerk here, I am just trying to help the OP. Best wishes, Marc

[CraigC]

Saddle soap will dry out leather, so if you use it very much, remember to oil or condition it afterwards. Not sure how much saddle soap will do for cigarette smoke but it's worth a try.

If you try vinegar, also wash it with a baking soda solution afterwards to neutralize the acid in the vinegar. Lots of folks still use vinegaroon to blacken leather so that's a normal procedure. It will probably still smell like pickled eggs.

[trapper45]

I have a 'smoked in' leather holster I deodorized by putting a couple of the pine tree air fresheners you'd hang from the mirror in your car in the holster, and then putting it all in a zip-lock bag. (Several dryer sheets work well, too!) A few days of that and no smoke smell. After that rub in some neetsfoot oil to benefit the leather and it's good to go.

[bigbore5]

Clean it with saddle soap and rub down with mink oil.