Do you have a smoke smell on your leather? Without panicking, you must hurry and try to get it out of your leather accessory before it starts to damage it. It can be tough to get rid of, but with the right stuff, it is possible.

Does Smoke Absorb Into Leather?

The porousness of leather makes it easy for smoke to absorb into it. If you smoke or vape close to any kind of leather items, even furniture, the smell will linger on them for days them. Cleaning of leather items such as leather interior cars, will require a special cleaner to get the smoke out of the fibers.

1. Leather Cleaner

Remember, a small amount will go a long way. Pour it onto a microfiber cloth or an old t-shirt and lightly wipe down non-absorbent leather to minimize the smell. For deeper cleaning, use a soft-bristled brush to work the cleaner into the leather. Be gentle and avoid scrubbing too hard. Doing so can damage the leather. If you need help choosing the right cleaning approach, explore different methods for cleaning leather jackets based on your leather type.

2. Sprinkling Baking Soda

Sprinkle baking soda on the leather and leave for 20 minutes. But if you have certain leather items you don't want coming into direct contact with baking soda, place the leather item in a container with a cover alongside 1-2 uncovered boxes of baking soda. Wait a day before removing it to check if the item is odor-free. You can even wrap it in plastic and put it inside a bag or inside a jacket.

3. Charcoal

If you have shoes, for example, that soaked up the smell of smoke, you can put a bowl of charcoal between them for as long as 3 days. It doesn't just come in handy for heating up a grill, but it also works great as an absorbent. In the case of leather interiors, you can place a bag of charcoal in the car and leave it there for a minimum of 2 days.

4. Leather Deodorizer

These are a safe bet when it comes to keeping the leather intact. Oftentimes, leather may react to substances such as vinegar or sunlight. However, leather deodorizers are made for the purpose of ridding leather of any bad odors that may engulf it. So in order to keep the quality of your leather safe, it might be slightly pricier than the rest, but at least it won't damage it. If your leather has other unpleasant odors beyond smoke, learn about effective methods to get rid of bad smells from leather items.

5. Vinegar

A mixture of white vinegar and water can instantly get the job done for removing the stench of smoke from leather. Vinegar works efficiently to deodorize, disinfect, and neutralize the smell of smoke from leather. Spray a thin layer over your leather item. Give it a couple of minutes for the vinegar to absorb into the fabric before wiping it down with a clean, dry cloth in circular motions. It cuts through odors naturally.

6. Alcohol Spritz

1 part rubbing alcohol mixed with 1 part water in a bowl, applied lightly with a soft, clean, and lint-free rag, is all the magic you need. Apply the damp cloth all over the surface of the leather product, making sure to target the larger and more exposed areas. ½ a cup of a cheap bottle of Vodka could do the trick as well. When using alcohol-based solutions, it's important to understand how to properly disinfect leather without causing damage.

7. Leather Conditioner

After cleaning the leather, condition it to restore moisture. This will protect it from future damage. Therefore, apply a leather conditioner that's formulated for your type of leather. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. To ensure your leather stays in pristine condition, follow this complete leather jacket care and maintenance guide.

8. Dish Soap

Take a large spray bottle and mix dish-washing liquid and warm water in it. Mix well after covering the spray bottle. You can spray the mixture on leather handbags, sofas, leather jackets, or purses to get rid of the unpleasant smell. Before spraying, ensure the item is clean so that any build-up on it doesn't create a foul smell.

9. Wrap The Leather In Newspaper

As with leather, the newspaper is equally as porous, if not more, making it ideal to soak up the smell. Wrap smaller leather items in the newspaper and let them sit in it for a couple of days, allowing enough time for the newspaper to do its job. For bigger items, use more sheets of newspaper on top of the leather covering as much as possible. Recycle the newspaper after this process or after a few days.

10. Sunlight

The Sun is an all-natural deodorizer that requires no longer than 5-6 hours at max. Sunlight and fresh air are great solutions for bad odors. Put your leather item out in the sun for a couple of hours, allowing the air and light to help the smell escape. Make sure you put a timer on because longer exposure to sunlight will dehydrate the leather as it will lose its natural oils. Exposure to sunlight for several hours each day could help release deeply embedded smoke odors.

11. Dry Clean

Not all leathers can be subjected to household items like dish-washing soap or vinegar. For that purpose, dry cleaning is great for removing smoke odor from more sensitive leathers that are inclined to crack or react to any other substance. Let the professionals do their job and take the worry off your shoulders. You don't want to end up ruining your big-ticket leather items just to save a couple of cents.

12. Hang in Fresh Air

Faint smoke smells can easily be dealt with by ventilating your leather jacket in airy environments. Ventilation is one of the safest and easiest methods to clean smoke smells from leather. Simply hang your leather jacket and place it out in a dry, open, and breezy area.

Whatever route you decide to take to restore your leather's smell, make sure it is specific to the leather type you are dealing with. Leather is a precious fabric that can get ruined with a very mindless mistake on your part.

Conclusion

Removing the smell from leather doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the 12 methods outlined above, from natural solutions like baking soda and charcoal to specialized leather cleaners and conditioners, you have plenty of options to restore your leather items to their fresh, original state. The key is to act quickly when smoke odor occurs, choose the method that best suits your leather type, and always follow up with proper conditioning to maintain the leather's integrity.

Remember, patience is essential when dealing with smoke odors. Some smells may require multiple treatments or a combination of methods to completely eliminate. Start with the gentlest approach first, and only move to more intensive methods if needed. Your leather jacket, furniture, or accessories are investments worth protecting, and proper odor removal ensures they'll serve you well for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How long does smoke smell last in leather?

Smoke smell can linger in leather for weeks or even months if left untreated, depending on the intensity of exposure and the leather's porosity. However, with proper treatment using the methods outlined above, most smoke odors can be eliminated within 2-7 days. Heavily saturated items may require multiple treatments or professional cleaning.

Can I use Febreze on leather to remove the smoke smell?

While Febreze may temporarily mask smoke odors, it's not recommended for leather as it can leave residue, cause discoloration, or damage the leather's finish. Instead, use leather-specific deodorizers or natural methods like baking soda, vinegar solution, or activated charcoal that are safer and more effective for leather materials.

Will vinegar damage my leather jacket?

When properly diluted (equal parts white vinegar and water) and applied lightly, vinegar is generally safe for most finished leathers. However, always test on an inconspicuous area first. Avoid using vinegar on suede, nubuck, or unfinished leather. After using vinegar, always condition your leather to restore moisture and prevent drying.

How do I get cigarette smoke smell out of a vintage leather jacket?

For vintage leather jackets, start with the gentlest methods first: hang in fresh air for several days, use baking soda in a sealed container, or try activated charcoal. Avoid aggressive cleaning that could damage aged leather. If gentle methods don't work, consider professional dry cleaning that specializes in vintage leather restoration.

Does smoke permanently damage leather?

Long-term smoke exposure can cause permanent damage to leather, including discoloration, dryness, and deterioration of fibers. However, if addressed promptly, the smell and minor damage can usually be reversed. The key is treating the leather as soon as possible and following up with proper conditioning to restore moisture and flexibility.

Can I put my leather jacket in the dryer to remove the smoke smell?

Never put leather in a dryer! High heat will cause leather to shrink, crack, and lose its natural oils, resulting in permanent damage. For smoke odor removal, use air-drying methods only—hang the jacket in a well-ventilated area or outside in the shade (not direct sunlight for extended periods).

What's the fastest way to remove the smell from leather?

The fastest method is using a leather-specific deodorizer spray, which can work within hours. For DIY solutions, a vinegar-water spray followed by airing can show results within 24 hours. However, for deeply embedded odors, patience is key methods like baking soda or charcoal may take 2-3 days but are gentler on the leather.

Should I condition leather after removing the smoke smell?

Yes, absolutely! Most smoke removal methods involve some form of moisture or cleaning agents that can dry out leather. Always follow odor removal treatments with a quality leather conditioner to restore moisture, maintain suppleness, and protect the leather from future damage. Conditioning should be done after the leather is completely dry.

Can smoke smell transfer from one leather item to another?

Yes, if stored together in an enclosed space, smoke odor can transfer from one leather item to another. Always store smoke-affected leather separately until the odor is completely removed. Use breathable garment bags and ensure proper ventilation in storage areas to prevent odor transfer and maintain leather quality.