Can I Use a Shark Steamer to Get Smoke Smell Out of Hard Plastic Toddler Bed?

Updated on September 09, 2011
I.H. asks from Fort Myers, FL
6 answers

I bought a toddler bed off craigslist and was lied to about the home being smoke free. The mattress wreaked, so I threw it away. I thought the plastic for the car bed was okay. We cleaned it all with a magic eraser and an all purpose cleaner before putting it in my son's room. But over the last week, I think the clean 'smell' is wearing off. I can smell a vague smoke smell on the plastic. Will it ever go away, or do I just need to get rid of it? Several have suggested Vinegar and water. I will certainly try this if it will work, but I will be on my own doing this and it's really hard to take apart and put together. Also, we live in a condo, so working outside will be difficult since it is common space, and I may not be able to let it air out outside.

My friend loaned me her shark steamer to try and clean it with. My only hesitation is that a tupperware lady once told me to run cold water on your tupperware first when cleaning it because the heat might open up some 'pores' in the plastic and cause it to stain more quickly. I wonder if the steamer might seal in the smoke smell rather than get rid of it??? Any tips?

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D.J.

answers from Boca Raton on

I have had to remove smoke smells from things that I have purchased. I have used baking soda and water to sponge down the items. I have also used the fresh air techniques as well as vinegar and water to get rid of the smell.

A helpful website is:

http://www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/odor...

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Sheesh, that stinks (haha! pun intended). I'm not sure the steamer will work either, but it's worth a try. I would also try vinegar and water and although vinegar is a good smell-getter-outter, I'm not sure that will work either. Is your son sleeping in it? If not, then I'd try and put a few bowls of fresh baking soda in the bottom of the frame and see if that helps. You'll have to leave it there for a few days probably though. Good luck! I hope it works out!

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

I have a rental property and I had tenants that were smokers (although they weren't supposed to smoke in the house). I cleaned everything with lemon juice and put citrus air fresheners throught the house. It seemed to work best. I don't know if it will work on plastic but it's worth a try.

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

The steamer could melt the very top layer of plastic and make it smell like that and possibly lock in the cigarette smell. You could try using a good heavy rag in a solution of vinegar and water and give a good scrubbing. The room might get a bit of a smell but it will not last all day. Since you cannot leave it outside to air out, you might want to place a couple of rags on the plastic to sit for an hour or so. Open the windows if possible and run a fan. We also used vinegar to clean out the cat smell in the basement. It lasted the day and then was gone and so was the cat smell. We could not open the window and just ran a fan to dry the floor.
My daughter did a horrible job cleaning out the litter pan for over a week and the cat decided the floor was just as good so it was bad.

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T.O.

answers from Jacksonville on

just get rid of it. That smoke smell is dangerous for kids.

A.G.

answers from Boston on

I dont think that will work, but if it does let us know! Did you try just a scrub brush and a pan of hot dishsoap and water and then scrub?? That stinks trying to save $ on buying something off craigslist then having to turn around and spending more. Good luck!

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