How to get rid of smoke smell?

<p>I bought a used camera from Ukraine, it came with a leather case. The former owner of that camera must be<br>

a heavy smoker, the leather case has a strong smell of some sort of cigarette. <br>

How to get rid of lingering smell of cigarette on used camera case ? Any tips ?</p>

<p>MOST old Soviet cameras have a distinctive smell. I think it's a combination of particular tanning techniques for the leather and the heavy use of Mahorka tobacco. I rather look upon it as part of the "experience" of having and using these wonderful "photoapparats".<br>

Unfortunately from my point of view, and fortunately from yours, the smell seems to gradually fade away (or perhaps your nose merely becomes desensitized?).</p>

<p>Using something like hand cleaner on a soft cloth to wipe the case may help in the meantime.</p>

<p>I clean all my USSR purchases with a generous dose of Petrol [Gas] and let them dry. Then I apply Sodium Bicarbonate powder with a puff and leave it for a couple of days. Most of the smell will be gone by this. You can also leave it in direct Sunlight for a few hours after cleaning with Petrol. You can brush off the Bicarb powder and polish the leather with KIWI or other shoe polish. Best of luck. SP.</p>

<p>Hi Martin,<br>

Both JDM's and SP's advice is good. I'm an avid (DBSM V category) collector of Feds and Kievs. JDM, I don't think it is leather on the camera, I think it's a kind of sulphurated rubber which degrades over time and gives off a mal-odour. The leather camera case is a different matter. Here in the land of Oz there are agricultural horse products called 'saddle soap', 'GY saddle dressing', and neatsfoot oil, all of which I've found to assist old leather in rejuvenation and de-odourising. Hope that helps.<br>

Regards Arthur (Apiarist1)</p>

<p>Have not used it on camera cases, but with great success on other antique leather items. Google Pecard Antique Leather Dressing -- other products as well. If you do use petrol / gasoline, which I would not do, it would be particularly useful as it would return oils to the leather. I agree on saddle soap, have reservations on neatsfoot, as it can darken and soften leather and leave an oily feel. Good luck with the project!</p>

<p>Hello everyone. Smoke is smoke...yuck! Here, both cameras & cases get wiped with Hydogen Peroxide soaked paper towels, twice. Next common Windex on the paper towels. Again, twice. Finally rubbing alcohol just on the camera. The case would get a leather treatment, the above being OK. Bill</p>

<p>I live in Australia and I bought a camera with bag from someone in the US. Normally imports go through customs really fast here, but this one was held up for quite some time. When it arrived I noticed that it had been opened for inspection and the odour was of that special kind of smoke that one notices at music festivals. Obviously the sniffer dogs were in fine form on the day.</p>

<p>Here in Washington State, the dogs have been retrained ! Bill</p>

I use car interior cleaner (sparingly).

Cleans outside of cameras and cases inside and out.

Autoglym interior shampoo is my choice but may not be available in usa.

<p>Might try Febreeze - it worked for me in a similar circumstance.</p>

<p>Vinegar is another tried and tested method of getting rid of smokey smells.<br />Ammonia works too, I'm told.<br /><br /></p>

<p>Lots of fresh air and sunshine will always help this.</p>