Expert: Kirk Ryan - 3/20/2008

Question
Any suggestions on getting cigarette smoke smell out of wood furniture?  The things I've tried are not working - such a stale smoke odor still exist in the room and on the furniture.  Please help.......

Answer
This is one of my favorite questions so far. I have lived with smokers in the past, and I hated it! It ruins everything!

Anyways, there are oils/conditioners they sell for furniture. One of the oils I have at my store is very strong and I would imagine, if one was patient enough to oil the furniture head to toe, it would be strong enough to eliminate odors. You would have to find an oil that is pretty strong smelling. I suggest going to a hardware store and explaining your problem to them.

The reason I suggest a furniture oil, is because you apply it and allow a few minutes for the wood to take it in. This allows it to go deep into the wood pores and really clean out well. After a few minutes take a separate rag and wipe it down. You may have to do this quite a few times to get positive results. I would suggest doing it one day, then wait a few days and hit it again. Even after you have gotten the odors out, it is still recommended to oil/condition wood every few months. Especially if its nice furniture!

DO NOT buy a wax based furniture cleaner/oil/conditioner. Wax will build up and block the pores in the wood, and you will never be able to get any odors out. Also wood needs to breathe, and the wax doesn't help that,... and neither does smoke!    :-)

Good Luck!