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Topic: Smoky smelling books.

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LibraryHelper avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Subject: Smoky smelling books.
Date Posted: 10/13/2007 7:26 PM ET
Member Since: 1/18/2007
Posts: 530
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I am a non smoker so am not sure how to get rid of the smell of smoke off books.

I recently inherited a lot of books courtesy of my MIL, who was a very heavy smoker. These books have a strong smell, so I am loath to post them just now. It's a shame because they are all HB in good condition.

Does anyone have any tips on how to remove the smell ?

annalovesbooks avatar
Date Posted: 10/13/2007 7:31 PM ET
Member Since: 3/25/2007
Posts: 369
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Last Edited on: 9/18/13 3:21 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
cnmor avatar
Date Posted: 10/14/2007 1:58 PM ET
Member Since: 7/12/2005
Posts: 2,323
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Dryer sheets work really well.

Nellie avatar
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Date Posted: 10/14/2007 3:38 PM ET
Member Since: 4/23/2007
Posts: 9,525
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I don't know if anyone read that link but here is something I found on there that's pretty funny:

RE: Getting Cigarette Smell out of Books

What I like to do is actually smoke the rest of the book. With some white wine and appetizers, you are talking about a nice cuddly evening there, sister.

But seriously! There are a lot of smokers at PBS who don't mind the smell. I would at least put a disclaimer on your profile or offer them in a teaser in the book bazaar.



Last Edited on: 10/14/07 3:40 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
LaurieAnne avatar
Date Posted: 10/15/2007 8:29 AM ET
Member Since: 1/12/2006
Posts: 4,972
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Dryer sheets work really well.

 

Then wouldn' t the books smell like flowery dryer sheets? YUCK! Don't send any flowery smelling books to me. That would almost be worse than smoke! And yes, I use unscented, biodegradable dryer sheets in my laundry.

 

 

 

Generic Profile avatar
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Date Posted: 10/15/2007 8:36 AM ET
Member Since: 8/9/2005
Posts: 20,024
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Last Edited on: 2/6/10 1:25 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 10/15/2007 8:42 AM ET
Member Since: 5/16/2006
Posts: 260
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Just fan them open and let them air out in a covered area- the smell will eventually dissipate.  It may take some time, but the smell will go away as long as the books are otherwise clean and dry.

If you use dryer sheets, or anything like that, that smell will be absored by the book.

CozSnShine avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Double Diamond medalPBS Cruise Attendee medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 10/15/2007 9:15 AM ET
Member Since: 2/5/2007
Posts: 30,834
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Use kitty litter, newspaper, and/or activated charcoal.   Put them in a tight container - zip lock or rubbermaid - seal for a few days - open and smell should be gone.   I did this with newspaper and ALL my books when I first joined and smoked and I NEVER had a complaint.   It's no longer an issue since I quit smoking,