Detailing Discuss keeping your bike looking brand new here.

HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 12:19 PM
  #1  
marty_marrr's Avatar
marty_marrr
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From:
Default HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket

I need HELP. I just purchased a leather jacket from ebay that reeked of HEAVY smoke. I could not even leave it in the house. In fact after being in the room with the jacket for less than 10 minutes, I started to get a nicotine buzz (I do not smoke). I even had smokers at my work state that the jacket smelt very bad and the previous owner was probably a pipe smoker. I am looking for DIY cleaning methods to remove this odor. The inner liner does not seem to have much of a smoke smell, but you can smell the smoke for the jacket from 30 feet away.
Also I am looking for good leather conditioner for the jacket AS WELL as my leather saddle bags and seat.

Looking for any and ALL suggestions.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 12:32 PM
  #2  
HD7585's Avatar
HD7585
Outstanding HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,269
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Default RE: HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket

Go to Home Depot and buy a can of odor absorbing gel , comes in a pint size plastic can........Take the lid off the can and place the can and the jacket in a box they will both fit in. seal the box with tape .......Wait 2 or 3 days and odor should be gone. They use this stuff where i work to remove FISH odor from 48' Trailers...........It Works
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2006 | 08:10 PM
  #3  
mrsr71's Avatar
mrsr71
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 1
From: Santa Clarita
Default RE: HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket

Don't take any chances with home remedies; take it to a professional leather cleaner - nothing else.

Dan
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2006 | 08:20 PM
  #4  
Yellotang's Avatar
Yellotang
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,230
Likes: 4
From: Amherst, VA
Default RE: HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket

We did all the following and nothing worked. Things we tried
1. coffee and leather in a plastic bag for a week.
2. Fabreeze.
3. Airing outside for a week.
4. Dry cleaning.
nothing worked except, and I learned this from the dry cleaning place.

Place the following items in the dryer. 6 dryer sheets, 3 brand new tennis *****, the leather item and then turn the dryer on low or no heat for 45 minutes (May have to be ran twice). That was the only thing to knock the smell out of it. Worked great and was totally shocked.
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2006 | 01:24 PM
  #5  
marty_marrr's Avatar
marty_marrr
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket


ORIGINAL: Yellotang

We did all the following and nothing worked. Things we tried
1. coffee and leather in a plastic bag for a week.
2. Fabreeze.
3. Airing outside for a week.
4. Dry cleaning.
nothing worked except, and I learned this from the dry cleaning place.

Place the following items in the dryer. 6 dryer sheets, 3 brand new tennis *****, the leather item and then turn the dryer on low or no heat for 45 minutes (May have to be ran twice). That was the only thing to knock the smell out of it. Worked great and was totally shocked.
Yellotang,
U R DA-man. I'll admit when I first read you dryer method, I thought it was crazy. But the more I got to thinking about it, I figure I would try it. It did not get 100% of the smell out, but its a wearable jacket now and after I use some leather cleaner and conditioner on it, I expect to be 100% happy with it. When I first got the jacket I could NOT stay in the same room with it. After letting it air out for 4 days, I could still smell it from 6' away. I sealed up the jacket for 3 days with a large box of baking soda. That got rid of alot of the smoke smell but you could still smell the jacket at close range. After your dryer method, I can bearly smell the smoke, even at point blank range. I actually used about a dozen dryer sheets AND tied dryer sheets around each of the 6 tennis ***** I had. You dryer method works like a charm.

Thanks again
Marty
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2006 | 09:06 PM
  #6  
Yellotang's Avatar
Yellotang
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,230
Likes: 4
From: Amherst, VA
Default RE: HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket

I was amazed by it also. Thought, what a whacky idea is that?!? But it seemed to work great.
Glad to hear that you can at least stand it now!
 
Reply
Old Dec 3, 2006 | 11:22 PM
  #7  
cowboy Harry's Avatar
cowboy Harry
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville TN
Default RE: HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket

hey , that was probaly better than the Mythbusters using Vodka to get the smell off.[8D]
 
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2006 | 01:15 AM
  #8  
Jim Dawson's Avatar
Jim Dawson
Ultimate HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Default RE: HOW to remove smoke odor from leather jacket


ORIGINAL: cowboy Harry

hey , that was probaly better than the Mythbusters using Vodka to get the smell off.[8D]
That's because you're using the vodka incorrectly. You DRINK the vodka, then you can't notice the smell.

Jim
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 04:14 AM
  #9  
surya-jr's Avatar
surya-jr
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by marty_marrr
Yellotang,
U R DA-man. I'll admit when I first read you dryer method, I thought it was crazy. But the more I got to thinking about it, I figure I would try it. It did not get 100% of the smell out, but its a wearable jacket now and after I use some leather cleaner and conditioner on it, I expect to be 100% happy with it. When I first got the jacket I could NOT stay in the same room with it. After letting it air out for 4 days, I could still smell it from 6' away. I sealed up the jacket for 3 days with a large box of baking soda. That got rid of alot of the smoke smell but you could still smell the jacket at close range. After your dryer method, I can bearly smell the smoke, even at point blank range. I actually used about a dozen dryer sheets AND tied dryer sheets around each of the 6 tennis ***** I had. You dryer method works like a charm.

Thanks again
Marty

hi, what is the use of the tennis *****?
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 07:49 PM
  #10  
joromu's Avatar
joromu
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Default

I would have used a gallon of gasoline and a match.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:09 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE