Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/1/2007

Question
I've been given my parent's beautiful teak dinning room set - buffet, table and 4 chairs.  However, my parents got this as a gift for their wedding 40 years ago and they are smokers.  The set is drenched in the smell of cigarettes.   I've tried pine sole, bleach and water, oil with lavender - all of which works for a few days but then the cigarette smell returns.  I would really love to use this set but can't stand the smell.  Any advice on how to get ride of it?


Answer
Hi Coleen
Nice to hear from you.
I suspect the set was likely waxed over the years and the smell has permeated that. It could be removed and fresh applied.
Also did you clean the undersides of this furniture?
I mean any areas that you do not see and are unfinished..like under the table top under the chair seats etc.
So remove the wax with mineral spirits. Known as varsol here in Canada.
Just dip a rag in it to start and see what comes off.
If you find the surface goes whitish and gummy where the varsol has been applied, it only means the wax and grime are heavy.
So super fine steel wool dipped in the varsol will be needed. Just be gentle and dry with clean rags as you work with the grain of the wood.
The varsol will not hurt on the unfinished areas, but it will retain the smell for a while.
If you are not prepared for that use your bleach solution on unfinished areas.
After the cleaning, a nice waxing. No more smoke smell.
Good Luck and great question.
Regards
Eileen