Last year I picked up a few boxes of factory .357 ammo from a local classifieds add. Included were 4 nice Bianchi leather holsters for speed loaders. I soon noticed the previous owner has smoked and these had that smell imbedded in them. I have sat these out in 90+ degree heat for weeks, have cleaned them with saddle soap, and though I have reduced the severity, I have been unsuccessful in eliminating for good that distinct pungency. I figured it was worth the try, but figure it may be impossible to ever get them back to smelling anything like leather. Before I throw in the towel and in respect for the intelligence displayed many times on the forum, I am wondering if anyone may have any other remedies that may help? Again, thank you for any replies!

See if you can find a product called Smoke Eliminator from ZEP,n a well know commercial chemical company..It's a spray type but REALLY works.. I used it to treat some stuff we got form my wife's mother who smoked like a chimminy ( think walls in the house were brown)
I googled it and Home Depot carries it.. Good Luck

Don't ask Barb!

Send them to me. I like the smell of tobaco smoke.

Get your cat to pee on it. You will never smell the tobacco again...

I was gifted a very nice S&W nylon range bag that reeked of stale cigarette smoke and even after 3 washing in white vinegar and febreeze, I couldn't get the smell out...so I re-gifted it to a friend who chain smokes....he said he didn't notice any smell..maybe you should send them to therevjay...

Damm Alphons you been taking Barb's advice.

If you are serious:
Hand wash them in soapy water, then soak them again in a couple of clean rinses. Dry the leather. When dry it should be stripped of the oils within the leather. Then oil them up with fresh mink oil. If that doesn't work nothing will. I would be sure and put some sort of mold in the speedloader pockets while they dry to maintain the correct roundness of them. I have done this to several leather jackets over the years and it works, without any ill effects on the leather.

To get rid of the stink, put them in a plastic bag with a fresh bar of Dial soap. Store for about a month, then the smell well be gone forever, Captain Hornet

Change brands and you'll never notice it.
If the guy used Ligget, switch to a Phillip Morris or RJ Reynolds product.
No charge!

Go to the Petsmart aquarium department and get a bag of activated carbon. Seal the holsters in a ziplock bag filled with the stuff. Agitate every day or so.

I wish I had known some of these tricks a few years back. I had a nice holster that I just hung in my dad's shop for a couple of years while I was stationed overseas. Eventually, the smell (which was initially quite strong) went away.

quote:

Originally posted by Alphonso:
Get your cat to pee on it. You will never smell the tobacco again...

Ask Barb!

Quiet Man........start smoking, you will then match your leather!

Seriously some good advice hear. I may suggest immersing them in cat litter inside of a plastic bag for a good week or so. Might help.

Regards.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I have already picked up a can of smoke eliminator and am trying that. It that doesn't take the smell out I will give the plastic bag and activated carbon or dial soap, then it will be the soap and water. I'm fairly confident these remedies should work, but as last resort I will bury them in an ant hill. As for taking up smoking, I would rather put the money into a few more Smith's. I have had a few friends that smoke and it sure seemed to slow their hiking ability down in the hills and when hunting deer or elk the wind was always a double concern. I have made them a cash offer if they could quit and I have had to pay off twice so far. Thanks again for the great suggestions!