How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Just that really. I've put it in the washing machine and aired it in yesterday's strong wind. I've scrubbed it in a solution of bicarbonate of soda. It still reeks. Any suggestions before I replace it ? Thankyou.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

First 3 hits on the web:

Use baking soda. ...
Or try ammonia. ...
Or vinegar. ...

One down (baking soda) two to go!

Ammonia might damage stuff - go careful

SEAN

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I'm currently cleaning up two guitars and an amp and cab that were in a house fire. They're not fire damaged as they were in a separate room but they reek of smoke. I've found that Servisol foam cleanser is doing an excellent job of removing the stain and the smell, plus being put out in the fresh air avoiding rain obviously. The fabric inside of the guitar case I brushed, put it outside repeatedly and sprayed with Febreeze.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I'm surprised that the washing machine didn't do the trick. What detergent did you use?

I recently had a telephone line cord that I was on the verge of ditching as it was so caked with grot that it had lost its flexibility. I thought there was nothing to lose by sticking it in with the wash - and was pleasantly surprised that it came out almost as good as new. Incidentally, this was using Ecover washing powder.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

We might have some foam cleanser at the office so I can try that when I'm back there. As for the washing machine, it's an excellent way of cleaning short cables of any sort (I put them in a sock and tie the top with string). I just put them on a regular 30-40 wash with other laundry. Morrison's laundry liquid is my usual detergent. The cord in question is spotlessly clean and shiny but it still stinks. Maybe I need to wash it more than once.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Another vote for Foam cleaner here .
We used Servisol Foam Cleanser to clean ex rental Television sets. The liquid running off the set and cloths would turn brown, It did a brilliant job. The cloths would then wash perfectly. I would suggest soaking it in foam cleaner maybe a couple of times and then re washing it if necessary.
Good luck!

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Probably.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Thankyou all. One or two things to try before I bin it.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

As a last ditch before you bin it you could try neat bleach, in a small tub/bucket, not the washing machine.

Use rubber gloves...

BTW a word of caution re: alkaline substances in washing machines... Although the drum is usually stainless steel which is quite resistant to all kinds of substances, there is a structure at the back within the drum called a "spider" which is within the fluid, these are often aluminium die castings and will dissolve in alkaline fluid.

Best Regards
Chris

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Thanks Chris. I'll add it to the list of possibles.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

If you have put it through the washing machine it will at least be clean. The smell will fade completely in time given plenty of fresh air. If you dump any more chemicals on it, the poor thing will probably drop to bits. Fag smoke really is disgusting! J..

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Cigarette smoke is indeed foul. I can't believe how much it clings. At the moment, our hero is coiled up in a bowl of neat bleach and will remain so overnight. If I end up replacing one unpleasant smell with one slightly less unpleasant it will be a start. At least the smell of bleach does disappear eventually, and it might take the smoky smell with it..

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

If it had been from a tom cat there might have been plenty of expert replies here!
Seriously though, maybe lemon juice? Or a garden herb mixed with white vinegar? The change in smell might be far more acceptable.
Rob

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I presume a handset cord is open ended so water/detergent etc can wick into the stranded cores if it is submerged ? If so, it may well cause long term corrosion such as seen on aerial downleads. I guess the copper cores maybe varnished but it sounds risky.

Ken

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I've kept the ends out of the bleach so it's only the coiled section that's getting the treatment, so to speak.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Ozon removes it, but it is not healty... Some smells of smoke is removed by etheric oils over a long periode. Rosmarin, eucalyptus, camfer on a cloth, and put it all in a plastic bag for a week. Do not let the cord touch the oils.

dsk

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10000mg-h-P...sAAOSwKiRetTCl

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Just a thought but I would have a word with a local 2nd hand car dealer,to see what spays and wipes they use to detox their car upholstery.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Thankyou for the continuing suggestions everyone. Our hero is currently having a second spin in the washing machine. It's a three hour programme so should do some good.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

You're gonna end up with the cleanest, sweetest smelling handset cord in the world.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

...........or nothing at all, once it's either dissolved or fallen to pieces!

Andy

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Still in one piece and clean as a new pin. Not quite as smoky as before so some progress made. Currently hanging by an open window.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Yes Andy, I agree!
The net curtains in my shop workshop survived for years without a wash. I had a mad fit one day and took them home for a cycle in the machine. On completion of the wash I opened the door to find a tiny piece of material. The rest had gone down with the rinse cycle! ROTTEN!

Make sure you don't end up with a rat's tail after all that washing, bleaching and radiation! :D John.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Try dunking it in Vinegar for a few days.

[In times-past I had several clients who were taxi-companies. Their 'despatch' operators had the 60-a-day Capstan Full-Strength habit - and the despatch-desk was 'live' for three shifts, 24 hours a day. I told my field-circus types to treat desk-mics from such sites as hazardous-waste and replace-not-repair]

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I've put the cord back on the phone and the smell has largely faded. Hopefully time and fresher air will deal with any lingering stink.

I imagine having to handle, repair and even discard telephones similarly contaminated was an occupational hazard for GPO field engineers and those involved in the wipe-up process. I'm glad I only had one smelly cord to deal with.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Personally, I'd be concerned about the water and chemical detergent trapped for years to come within the cable, which 'may' gradually migrate out over time into the handset and the main unit. You've certainly put some units on both your water and electricity meter! I would have given it a short soaking in cheap white vinegar and then perhaps thin bleach, keeping both ends out of the solution each time - I wouldn't have left it in the bleach overnight, but it seems like you've got away with it. Time will tell if there's any ill effects - let's hope there's not, so good luck for your/its future.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I hope there's been no significant liquid ingress. Unlikely, given how tight the insulation is around the cores and especially at the grommets at either end. We shall see.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I too remember using foam cleaner on tv cabinets and the awful brown nicotine running off.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Yes! It used to stain your hands brown. John.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

It did John and when you are not a smoker.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

cif bathroom foam. contains a small amount of ammonia, its my go to for old smelly kit

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Is there anything remaining of this poor cord or has it finally given up all hope? John

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I would get hold of a tin of activated charcoal and put in there for a couple of days.

B

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

I have regular lemon CIF. I didn't know there was a foam variety. I'll be leaving the cord in peace now. It has survived all my cleansing attempts and has come up in slightly better condition than it was so I'll quit while I'm ahead.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

That's an advantage of the activated charcoal; it needn't be in direct contact (just in the same closed container), but as only a few grams of it has a surface area of a football pitch due to its numerous minute pores, it just acts lake a magnet for any volatiles.

B

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

If it is smelly that means the smell is coming out, eventually all the smell will be gone.

Re: How can I remove the smell of stale cigarette smoke from a handset cord ?
 

Thanks Merlin. That's useful to know.