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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> ??How to remove tobacco smell??
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 10/20/2013 02:04:56 PM · #1
For Halloween, my youngest wants to go as the Empty Child from Doctor Who.

Problem is the gas mask that we won at auction came from a smoker (did not say that in auction).
I had it air outside in the hot sun and night air for 2 days - still traces of tobacco scent on it.

Any way to safely remove the tobacco stink from the mask without destroying it so that she can wear it safely?

Message edited by author 2013-10-20 14:05:06.
 10/20/2013 02:10:00 PM · #2
My first guess would be to soak and scrub it in a diluted apple cider solution, and then rinse it thoroughly.

Ha... shows where my head is. I meant apple vinegar.

Message edited by author 2013-10-20 14:10:28.
 10/20/2013 02:10:41 PM · #3
Is the filter still present?
I suppose that is and that it is the filter which is retaining the tobacco smell.
 10/20/2013 02:20:40 PM · #4
Originally posted by Nadine_Vb:
Is the filter still present?
I suppose that is and that it is the filter which is retaining the tobacco smell.


No, I popped the filter out - the smell is on the rubber.

10/20/2013 02:21:20 PM · #5
Originally posted by bohemka:
My first guess would be to soak and scrub it in a diluted apple cider solution, and then rinse it thoroughly.

Ha... shows where my head is. I meant apple vinegar.


Apple vinegar....hmmm, will look into that. Thanks.
 10/20/2013 02:41:06 PM · #6
and baking soda.
 10/20/2013 02:45:49 PM · #7
Originally posted by tnun:
and baking soda.


Yep, baking soda is a wonder cure for anything from stains to odours.
 10/20/2013 03:40:55 PM · #8
Ozone. You may have to rent a good ozone generator, but it will work perfectly. The house we bought had a strong smoke smell in the garage. Our realtor let us borrow his ozone machine. In 2 days the smell was gone. Completely gone. Never has returned.
 10/20/2013 04:44:36 PM · #9
I second the ozone suggestion. That was the tool of choice in Romania back when smoking in the office was commonplace.

Read the directions carefully, as ozone is harmful to the respiratory system, and the concentration has to be fairly high in the room/deodorizing chamber for it to work quickly.
 10/20/2013 09:10:13 PM · #10
You using the green ozone? Ozone good? Ozone bad?
 10/20/2013 10:36:51 PM · #11
No.. No.. and No.. :)

Use Isopropyl Alcohol... Nothing else will cut the oils that are leaving the scent...

And at the worst?? A bit of tobacco smell won't actually hurt the kiddo.

ETA: Actually, Ozone does sorta work - but I've never really found it to entirely remove the smell...

Message edited by author 2013-10-20 22:37:33.
 10/20/2013 11:35:50 PM · #12
I can't believe how many people know stuff about removing odors LOL
 10/21/2013 12:12:05 AM · #13
Originally posted by nam:
I can't believe how many people know stuff about removing odors LOL


People are smelly...
 10/21/2013 12:12:08 AM · #14
Try dunking it in a mix of hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and baking soda.
Ozone is very destructive to natural rubber but if you're not planning on keeping the mask long term, that should be no problem.
10/21/2013 08:30:56 AM · #15
What I want to know is how the hell did the previous owner *presumably* smoke while wearing a gas mask? Does it not cover your whole face?
 10/21/2013 08:34:20 AM · #16
If the child starts smoking then in no time she won't be able to smell the horrid stench of tobacco :-)
 10/21/2013 08:35:18 AM · #17
Originally posted by snaffles:
What I want to know is how the hell did the previous owner *presumably* smoke while wearing a gas mask? Does it not cover your whole face?


It's the new thing, so that others don't have to deal with second hand smoke.
10/21/2013 10:34:20 AM · #18
Originally posted by tanguera:
Originally posted by nam:
I can't believe how many people know stuff about removing odors LOL


People are smelly...


I knew that I could rely on DPC for seeking out an answer(s) :-) I have three that I am going to try this week - really want to obliterate the smell so going big on eradication without elimination of the mask:-)
 10/21/2013 10:41:11 AM · #19
Edited to correct...never have three windows open and distracted :-)

Originally posted by jagar:
If the child starts smoking then in no time she won't be able to smell the horrid stench of tobacco :-)


Heh:-) Wouldn't work for this household - see, I have an high end on the chart allergy to tobacco -starts with a small headache then graduates to sniffles and throbbing headache if I stay around it for too long.

I don't think allergies are passed down to the kids but it would be nice if it was if they ever decided to experiment:-) Oh, and if they did they would not be able to hide it from me because of my allergy detector:-)

snaffles I don't think they were smoking while wearing the mask:-) I once went into the a friend's house who was a heavy smoker - the smell had permiated into everything that was not glass or metal in that house. Had to leave after a few minutes.

Message edited by author 2013-10-21 10:46:08.
 10/21/2013 02:00:48 PM · #20
Originally posted by CNovack:
Edited to correct...never have three windows open and distracted :-)

Originally posted by jagar:
If the child starts smoking then in no time she won't be able to smell the horrid stench of tobacco :-)


Heh:-) Wouldn't work for this household - see, I have an high end on the chart allergy to tobacco -starts with a small headache then graduates to sniffles and throbbing headache if I stay around it for too long.

I don't think allergies are passed down to the kids but it would be nice if it was if they ever decided to experiment:-) Oh, and if they did they would not be able to hide it from me because of my allergy detector:-)

snaffles I don't think they were smoking while wearing the mask:-) I once went into the a friend's house who was a heavy smoker - the smell had permiated into everything that was not glass or metal in that house. Had to leave after a few minutes.


Just hope they don't decide to start smoking as a way to pay you back for whatever transgressions you committed as a parent.
 10/21/2013 02:18:05 PM · #21
Originally posted by Spork99:
Just hope they don't decide to start smoking as a way to pay you back for whatever transgressions you committed as a parent.

"Mom and Dad, I'm serving notice that I'm gonna doom myself to a life of being treated as an outcast and an early, slow, and uncomfortable death: THAT'll teach you to not be such crappy 'rents!"
 10/21/2013 02:18:21 PM · #22
If you ever need one in the future, find a military surplus. Mine has gasmasks of all sorts ranging from $10 to $60 depending on the model. Everything from the old Russian ones to the Israeli ones (which I bought as a prop) to the M40's and others. It's remarkable what you can buy.
 10/21/2013 03:08:38 PM · #23
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
If you ever need one in the future, find a military surplus. Mine has gasmasks of all sorts ranging from $10 to $60 depending on the model. Everything from the old Russian ones to the Israeli ones (which I bought as a prop) to the M40's and others. It's remarkable what you can buy.


It is indeed amazing what one can buy... but in Canada, some of these items fall under the "Controlled Goods" category and it is illegal for a non-registered user to own them. Just a bit of warning for my Canadian friends.

Ray
 10/21/2013 03:11:36 PM · #24
Originally posted by RayEthier:


It is indeed amazing what one can buy... but in Canada, some of these items fall under the "Controlled Goods" category and it is illegal for a non-registered user to own them. Just a bit of warning for my Canadian friends.

Ray


Good point. I was only using those photos for examples, and was implying you can buy them locally, where you would presumably undergo any needed registering (if needed). In Colorado there was no need for that, but it's also Colorado.
 10/21/2013 03:17:31 PM · #25
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:
Originally posted by RayEthier:


It is indeed amazing what one can buy... but in Canada, some of these items fall under the "Controlled Goods" category and it is illegal for a non-registered user to own them. Just a bit of warning for my Canadian friends.

Ray


Good point. I was only using those photos for examples, and was implying you can buy them locally, where you would presumably undergo any needed registering (if needed). In Colorado there was no need for that, but it's also Colorado.


"registering"?

For a gas mask?
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