Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Oh my goodness. I just bought $100 worth of clear Hanna and red rubber Riley stamps here on SCS used from someone and when I got them, as soon as I opened the package, BOOM, the smell of cigarette smoke about knocked me out!! I'm sorry if I'm offending any smokers, but they smell terrible and it's not going away. I let the stamps sit and air out for a few days.... no better. Washed them with dishwashing soap, no better. HELP me. Any suggestions?
I thought I read somewhere that wrapping things in newspaper and putting them in the freezer would remove odors. Sounds crazy to me, but you never know. I'm off to do some research on the subject.[IMG]//www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif[/IMG]
__________________ "Life is much too important to be taken seriously." Oscar Wilde Proud to be a member of Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge DT! My BlogMy Gallery
Try activated charcoal. You can usually find this at pet stores or stores that sell pet supplies (people use it in aquariums). Put some of the activated charcoal in an airtight container (like an old piece of Tupperware), lay the stamps in there (maybe on a paper towel?), and let them be for a week or so. It may take more than one round.
According to several articles on the Web, newspaper does, indeed, absorb foul odors! Charcoal was also mentioned, as well as white vinegar!
__________________ "Life is much too important to be taken seriously." Oscar Wilde Proud to be a member of Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge DT! My BlogMy Gallery
I bought a bunch of stamps from a smoker a year or so ago. When I got them home I scrubbed them with stamp cleaner, put them in an airtight, Tupperware container & vigorously sprayed them with Febreeze. I use the big container & just mix it with water in a spray bottle. Left them in the container for a week or so & voila! no smell! And I have a really sensitive nose. If the other suggestions don't work, try this.
__________________ Keep what is worth keeping
and with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away.
I used to collect Beanie Babies back in the day and got a few smokey ones on the Bay. Here's what worked for me - Get a paper grocery bag, sprinkle baking soda in the bag (a nice layer) and put the stamps in there. Let them sit for a day and the smell should be gone. You might want to lay a tissue between the baking soda and stamps so they don't get powdery. HTH!
it could be done only if the seller didn't say 'from a smoke free home', i would have to say. if it wasn't specified, the buyer doesn't have a foot to stand on, so to say. that's just my opinion.
__________________
Ashley former SU! Demo, taking a break. but i'll be back soon enough.
new fan club member! supporting the site i love so much. my etsy shop ;; my blog
If you can put everything back in the box it came in (or a bigger box to spread things out) try setting several open bowls of vinegar in amongst it all. For at least a day or two. It will, at least, help some. This also works if you have a visitor to your home that leaves behind that same "unpleasant" aroma.
Location: In my own little space of Creative Chaos
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
when I have received items like that, I have placed them in a big baggie with a couple dryer sheets for a few days and it has removed the smell.
On other groups I am on, when they post a swap they request that anything coming from a smoking environment have a dryer sheet included in the packaging, especially for those on the receiving end that may have allergies.
Gosh.. I feel for you.. I am an ex-smoker and cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke.. literally makes me nauseated. I think that the previous posters have posted some great ways to get the smell out.. I would try each one.. something is bound to work. Be sure in the future to ask if the items are from a smoke/pet free house.. I do this all the time before buying anything online. If I get a reply that something is from a smoking house, I do not buy, no matter how great a deal it is.. I just cannot tolerate the smell. Best of luck to you on getting the smell out.
Pam
__________________ "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
I've had the same problem with buying or trading stamps. I used Febreeze but I hate the smell of that too. I learned my lesson to ask about a smoke free home. Another ex smoker here.
I sure hope some of these suggestions work for you. could you let us know if they do? i have seen people put "smoke free home" on stamps before and never thought it would be a big deal, but im glad you told us. i have a sensitive nose too and i would not like to have that box show up at my house!
HELP! Cigarette smoke removal suggestions
