How to get rid of the smell!!!

[moidoid]

An auspicious day yesterday as I christened the man-cave in the cellar with its first cigar, a Juan Lopez Robusto as it happens. The precautions I had taken to seal the door seem to have worked well - no smoke in the next room in the morning.

The problem is that the cellar still stinks 24 hours later. I have an extractor on all the time and a Csonka desktop purifier but I need to be able to shift the smell fairly quickly if I am to continue fabricating my little paradise.

Any tips?

[RogMcDodge]

I've been unable to shift the smell for a week or so. I've tried Fabreezing, windows open etc. My wife has now confined me to the garden - so good luck.

[crslaytor]

Try candles and ask for proper odour eliminator..
Lately I am using some new one called "oust" 3 in 1 , kills bacterias and blabla..its somehow working + I'm leaving the windows open while im out :biggrin1:

[El Catador]

El Catador steps up, . . it's been a while coming, . . but .. finally, . . at long last (thanks for being patient..) . . I can actually . . for the first time . .contribute a genuinely . . useful . . titbit of INFORMATION to this wonderful site!!

I know of course that everyone in the forums appreciates the occasional piece of wittertainment I stick in a thread here or there, and .. naturally who can't help, but love, the inventive use of smilies . .but . . maybe, . . if I'm right about the value of my answer, I can finally achieve that 'Brilliant Newbee Award' I've been trying so subtly to hint at (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) for all these bloody months.
I mean, . .sheesh, what's a guy gotta do around here? . . run down the street dressed as a chicken or sumthin? . . Because, if that's what it takes. . . I've already got the walk down pat.
Well, I will if you will.

Anyhow, I'm digres-ifi-cating, the answer you've been so patiently waiting for is (drum-roll) . .

A smelly candle . . .Tah Dah!!

No, wait, don't look like that, I'm not talking about just any smelly candle, God no!
But a big (and I mean 100 hours big) high-end, expensive candle.
Forget smoke removal or cheap-and-cheerful ikea candles, - you get what you pay for, and, don't forget, that's why your smoking fine puro's instead of hamlets or NC's*

I'm not saying necessarily 'Jo Malone' expensive, but something in that rough direction, preferably with a heavy-ish perfume (you gotta like it yourself, as you'll be sending some seriously good, quality time with it/her).

Next, light it up BEFORE you begin to smoke, and leave it burning overnight (please be careful, health and safety and all that nanny state b**lsh*t!), . blow it out in the morning and repeat every day until the cigar 'odor' has gone (or has been replaced by something the wife, or significant other, approves of!) usually 3 to 4 days tops.

This blessing is humbly (nudge, nudge) bestowed upon you by the wise senor, El Cat . . pawses (geddit?) for applause and takes a bow.

Now, who else seeks the divine knowledge of the Cat? . . . . . . . . well don't all rush at once.

Slinks off, moodily, muttering and twitching.
'All that waiting for someone to say 'here's a Brilliant Newbee Award' (Deano I'm looking at you), has given me a nervous tic . . if I stay here much longer I'm gonna end up like frankenstein's monster!
Part mad scientist (think of dear Pappy Rokkit), and part Mexican loon with a 'bad' smilie habit (can't think of who that might be like . . ?) . . Yeah, . . I know, not pretty . . right?

P.S. Several months of employing the above method, successfully. . without complaint, in my warm (roof over my head, heater on full, music playing, moroccan styled, luxuriously warm - thanks for askin'), Conservatory!! . . I know . . I know . . how unbelievably blooming middle class? I hate me too!!
To my wife I'd just like to say: 'Thank you, you're a top bird' x

What's this? . . an award for the Most Rambling, Most Incoherent, . . Most 'must-not-post-when-over-refreshed' Award, . . . for me?.
Oh my . . how unexpected.

P.P.S. Let's not mention this in the morning when I'm sober.
Clicks on the 'post' button and . . it whooshes down the Internet connection thingy, and straight onto your astonished faces! Oh .. my bad!

*Only kidding America, . . no need to carry that chip on your shoulder, just because, . . secretly, you're afraid that your puro's can't measure up to .. small.. little ..Cuba's . . .('come on and hear that salsa') . . . get over it already and prey for the end of the embargo! . . go on, right now . .down on your knees . . c'mon admit it . . deep down you know the truth even if you'll never admit it on a public forum).

[EugeneSax]

Have a saucer full of bicarbinate of soda (dry powder, not in solution) somewhere in the room. I use about 1/3-1/2 a tub & change it after say 2 or 3 months. (From Rudman' book).

[Seriesteve]

Have a saucer full of bicarbinate of soda (dry powder, not in solution) somewhere in the room. I use about 1/3-1/2 a tub & change it after say 2 or 3 months. (From Rudman' book).

I use this one along with an air purifier, only slight problem
is, if like me you have a police super. mate, he might just want to
ask you about the White Powder in the Saucer LOL
Ss

[big_Bear]

I smoke a lot in doors. I just live with it. A strong candle helps every so often. Then agian I have always loved the smell of cigar tobacco.

[Robusto]

Get yourself a purpose-built smoking studio - nay, salon - at the bottom of the garden. Equip it with a beer fridge, a leather sofa, downlighters, a heater and some Christmas tree lights.

Then the residual hum is irrelevant... and actually kinda sexy, too.

I like a small ashtray of fat dead butts to say HIYA! whenever I walk in.

aka I love you but down here is all mine.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h304/elton1984/ABCD0020-15.jpg?t=1266708951

[big_Bear]

sounds like heaven.

I've just remembered that I purchased an odour eliminating candle not long ago. I'll get back to you if it's any good. Might have just been a wast of money though

[El Catador]

Get yourself a purpose-built smoking studio - nay, salon - at the bottom of the garden. Equip it with a beer fridge, a leather sofa, downlighters, a heater and some Christmas tree lights.

Then the residual hum is irrelevant... and actually kinda sexy, too.

I like a small ashtray of fat dead butts to say HIYA! whenever I walk in.

aka I love you but down here is all mine.

I bow to the Master :hail:

[moidoid]

Don't think i haven't thought of the garden den idea - it's just that having spent about 150K on doubling the size of the house money is not going to be spent on that!

Anyway i have a lovely heated, PC'd, TV'd CELLAR. I'd love to make it work.

I'll try the candle & Bicarb. Must admit to being disappointed that the Csonka doesn't seem to do anything.

Nice post BTW El Catador - you don't have a little Mexican in you , do you? :41::cowboyic9::rock::catsmoker::car::car:

[SeanP]

Don't understand why the Csonka is not working :confused: They make 'anti-tobacco (http://www.johnlewis.com/230459363/Product.aspx?source=14798)' candles that seem to work pretty well and you only have to burn them while you smoke and for about 15-30 mins after. Have yet to try this brand but have witnessed others like it work.

Another key factor is cleaning your ashtray as soon as you are done. Don't leave dead soldiers in the tray and you should be good to go.

[tippexx]

Don't leave dead soldiers in the tray and you should be good to go.


The candles I use are from Wilkinsons.
I line my ashtray with baking foil. Wrap and dispose of butt and ash immediately after finishing.
Open the windows and conservatory door for a few minutes to allow a through-draft.

Result .... no lingering smells. Happy wife.

Oh, almost forgot .... having plants helps too!

[RogMcDodge]

Goog shout about the scented candle - I'd forgotten that I'd got one of those. A day or so after I smoked the the smell wouldn't clear so I felt the need to buy a lovely cranberry Yankee Candle - a few hours of that made a big difference.

[68TriShield]

1)I assume you have a exhaust fan going.If there are other windows in the cellar aside from the one/s in your smoking room,one of them needs to be open a tad for the exhaust fan to be most effective.
2)Carpet and fabric are the enemy,they absorb smoke like sponges absorb water.
This is why(at least around here)you will see smoking lounges with only hard floors and leather or vinyl covered furniture.

This is all I can say from my experience.I'm sure you have thought about these points already.

[Robusto]

Some cinnamon-based large candles from Homebase (UK) seem to do the trick at home.

When my wife's roll-up merchant mates come round now and again, they stay in the dining room which has no carpets or sofas. I knocked out a Bolivar Double Corona with them last weekend because of the in-house green smoking light being on and it was the rolling tobacco smell that dominated the next morning!

The front room is a different story because of the fabrics. If my wife's out or away and I feel like knocking one off over a film, all the windows downstairs are flung open even if there's a howling gale.

I have curried enough favours not to be garotted over the occasional in-house cigar but I do pick up the odd strong candle when out and about so that there is something to attack the residual whiff.

But what are we to do? The residual whiff is part of the great pleasure of this fetish, as well as the joy of the in-flight clouds.

Shit. This is making me feel like toking one off now and I haven't even had my Cheerios.

[68TriShield]

Shit. This is making me feel like toking one off now and I haven't even had my Cheerios.
I had to stop and think about this.
"not had his Cheerios at 3 in the afternoon,at his age,(which is near mine)man must be a party animal" :hail:

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=Robusto;68430]

The front room is a different story because of the fabrics. If my wife's out or away and I feel like knocking one off over a film, all the windows downstairs are flung open even if there's a howling gale.

Lenor — Febreze works on fabrics.

[moidoid]

I suspect having a carpet is a fatal error. I'll keep my eyes open for a bit of lino I think. The chair has a fabric seat too so that will have to go! Better have a look at ebay for a nice leather one.

[rokkitsci]

The problem is that the cellar still stinks 24 hours later.

Any tips?

I make an extract of distilled llama spit and anchovy paste which when applied to that little runner thingie (I have no idea what this body part is called) under my wife's nose completely eliminates any tobacco odo(u)r. Or any other odo(u)r, for that matter.

hth

[daverave999]

...that little runner thingie (I have no idea what this body part is called) under my wife's nose...
Do you mean the philtrum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philtrum)?

[EugeneSax]

.. applied to that little runner thingie (I have no idea what this body part is called) under my wife's nose

"Philtrum" or "Feltrum"

I use these candles - as effective as I've found:

http://tinyurl.com/y8mmvq7

Orange scented candles are also effective.

I used to have a Czonka & it did sterling work for about 4 or 5 years. However I found it was only effective if I had a window open to cause noticeable air movement in the room. If your extractor doesn't noticably move the air & you haven't a window (presumably being a cellar) - you could try getting a small fan as well. And plants seem to counter-act the Czonka too. If you have them in the room I suggest keeping the Czonka as far away as possible.

[daverave999]

Eugene, you reckon the Chef's candle is better than the Anti-Tobacco one?

I'm pleased to have seen this thread as I'm likely to be needing it soon!

[daverave999]

Does anyone use an air filter or any other kind of air purifier?

[moidoid]

I have ordered a load of different candles and will be trying out a few. I got some Oust spray which covered up the smell initially but it has returned - I think because of the carpet. When the room is a bit clearer I will be able to spray the carpet too which may help. I tried a small scented candle which was OK but not great. I have some heftier candles in my armoury though.

Watch this space!!!

[El Catador]

I got some Oust spray which covered up the smell initially but it has returned - I think because of the carpet.

As you mentioned earlier, the carpet .. 'is not your friend'!

Time to rip it up and replace it with something else. . laminate flooring perhaps?
Go on . . go for it! A man of your stature deserves a proper 'man cave'.

Take pictures and post them up so we can see what it looks like 'before and after'.
Your fellow BOTL are standing by to offer advice, encouragement and support (perhaps even cold drinks and crisps!).

New thread proposal . . 'moidoids man cave project' . . ?
All those in favour say 'Aye'.

'Aye'
Motion carried.

[moidoid]

As you mentioned earlier, the carpet .. 'is not your friend'!

Time to rip it up and replace it with something else. . laminate flooring perhaps?
Go on . . go for it! A man of your stature deserves a proper 'man cave'.

Take pictures and post them up so we can see what it looks like 'before and after'.
Your fellow BOTL are standing by to offer advice, encouragement and support (perhaps even cold drinks and crisps!).

New thread proposal . . 'moidoids man cave project' . . ?
All those in favour say 'Aye'.

'Aye'
Motion carried.


Well.....maybe you have a point.

I've stuck some pix in my member's gallery but I will start a Moidoid's Cave thread soon too.

Maybe it will spur me on to get it SORTED OUT at last - which it needs, as you can see.

[Stevieboy]

Hi Moidoid. I'm very surprised the Czonka isn't doing the trick. Is it deffo working properly? It should smell strongly of coppery-metallic-lightning when you sniff the vents.... IYKWIM :)
I have two running all weekend in the living room and you'd never know I'd been smoking at all?!?!

[awordinyourear]

Le Papier d'Armenie really works they have them in the davidoff shop on St James's. It really works

[Lionhound]

Only way is to shoot the little buggers then plant them under 4 feet of earth. I know it won't go down well with the animal lovers and tree huggers but its the only surefire way.
Don't let them sweet talk you with the cute little faces and pretty stripe shit, the only good skunk is a dead skunk as my ol' pappy used to sa................................................ .

The smell of cigar smoke?......Nah sorry mate, not got a clue. Recon I should've read more than the title. Sorry.

[EugeneSax]

Eugene, you reckon the Chef's candle is better than the Anti-Tobacco one?



This you mean:
http://tinyurl.com/y8a5ow5

TBH I didn't know they made a tobacco one - I came across the other in our local kitchen shop, found it worked & didn't investigate further.

I see the tobacco one has orange in it which I've found with other types of odourisers to be especialyy effective against tobacco whiffs so I'll definitely be giving it a go.



Does anyone use an air filter or any other kind of air purifier?

Yes - an air purifier from Argos was my first attempt at odour elimination & it was a complete waste of money. A Czonka's the only electronic device to consider IMO (although I currently use an open window/electric fan heater/smelly candle combo as my CZ zonked out & I can't afford a new one)

[daverave999]

Yeah that's the one Eugene-I've got one on the way from that store.

Is a Csonka an ozone generator? If it is, I may investigate a much cheaper unbranded one... They seem to be a third of the price if they don't have 'Csonka' written on them!

Was the air purifier you tried just a filter?

[El Catador]

Yeah that's the one Eugene-I've got one on the way from that store.

Hi Dave
Let us know your thoughts on this one when you've had a chance to 'road-test' it.

It didn't work for me (though I do like the orange and clove smell), it just wasn't 'robust' enough to deal with the heady aromas given off by fine puros, but YMMV.

[cjlawrie]

I've got the kitchen one, the same as Eugene. I've seen all the other variants in the shop but I didn't like the smell of the anti-tobacco candle variant so I just stuck with the kitchen candle. I reckon though you have tor burn them for a while in order for there to be an effect...

[cjlawrie]

I found that the kitchen one - funnily enough - works well in my tiny wee kitchen. However, it requires a much longer burn time in the lounge. If I had some spare cash I'd try out the expensive ones but for now I'm experimenting on the cheapo's like the Prices range.

[Lascaux]

http://www.ozoneequipment.co.uk/corona-ozone-generator.htm

that looks pretty decent, but not much cheaper than the high end csonkas.

its a shame the csonkas dont give their ozone output in gm's\mg's

just been reading a few articles related to excess ozone and respiratory problems... hilarious if the clear ozone air is actually more damaging than residual smoke

[moidoid]

Hi Moidoid. I'm very surprised the Czonka isn't doing the trick. Is it deffo working properly? It should smell strongly of coppery-metallic-lightning when you sniff the vents.... IYKWIM :)
I have two running all weekend in the living room and you'd never know I'd been smoking at all?!?!

It does give off that smell but seems to turn itself off after a little while and that's that. Maybe I should have gone for a heftier version but I'm not spending that sort of money on something that might not work.

I have the white battery one.

[daverave999]

I'd just typed 'ozone' into ebay and was looking at the prices from China, though there are some UK suppliers too.

The most powerful home model Csonka make gives out 500 mg/hr but from what I read that is way too much for the home, assuming your house is the same size as mine. I've ordered a car one for about 3 quid ;) so assuming it's not complete junk, I'll see if this ozone business is all it's cracked up to be.

[Lascaux]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-600mg-Ozone-Generator-Water-Air-Sterilizer-Ozonizer_W0QQitemZ290403084904QQcmdZViewItemQQptZU K_HGKitchen_SmallApp_RL?hash=item439d5f6a68

says its 600mg...but £40 :o

also
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ozone-Generator-Air-Dryer-Timer-Redox-Aquarium_W0QQitemZ250581750508QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item3a57d612ec
might grab that one, says 200mg or 500mg output

[Simon-JG-hr]

I see the tobacco one has orange in it which I've found with other types of odourisers to be especialyy effective against tobacco whiffs so I'll definitely be giving it a go.I agree with you there, orange/citrus seems to be very good whenever I've tried it against the smoke (twice).

[Stevieboy]

The pair I have are the round grapefruit shaped one and the police-siren version. Both switch off after a few minutes then wait a few minutes them come back on. I picked both up on eBay for about £35 each!!! Try adding Csonka as a favourite search and ebay will email you any time one is listed....that's how I won both of mine :)



It does give off that smell but seems to turn itself off after a little while and that's that. Maybe I should have gone for a heftier version but I'm not spending that sort of money on something that might not work.

I have the white battery one.

[EugeneSax]

The first air purifier I had was just a filter - forget those.

I don't imagine the battery-powered Csonka would be terribly effective. I used to have to leave my grapefuit sized one on overnight to clear our modestly-sized living room, althougn we do have a lot of plants in here & I suspect they have a negating effect on the ozone. As previously mentioned csonka's definitely seem more effective if you have something to cause air movement as well such as an open window or fan.

And as for a car csonka - that should work well if your smoking den's about the same size as a car's interior!

Prices candles do require a bit of burning to work - I light them at the same time as my cigar & keep them burning for 1/4-1/2 hour afterwards*. With the open window & fan heater this is very effective. My wife returned this evening just after I had laid my RP robusto to rest & appart from the usual "phew" as she entered the room - was happy sit in here & blow out the candle after only a few minutes.

[* does depend on the strength of the cigar. I had an RASSC at the weekend in an upatrairs room & blew the candle out soon after finishing the cigar so I could return to the living room. The room was still a bit whiffy the following day, but 30 mins of candle cleared it]

[bryanj9]

The only way i know how to get rid of the stale smoke is to light a fresh one up and worry about it in the am

[daverave999]

I tried my new candle for the last couple of nights and I'm not sure what to make of it so far.

Two problems:
The first being that I smoked in the porch that already stinks of cigar smoke, so I have no baseline to go from. It wasn't any worse though, but it's not something that bothers me so I've not looked (with my nose-you come up with a better expression) for before.
Second, having the orangey smell around was strange with the cigar. I stopped noticing after a while, but it might not be the best idea if we smoke cigars for the aroma and taste. This may get relegated to warding off cigarette smoke instead.

[El Yanqui]

I'm lucky that my wife isn't horribly opposed to tobacco smoke and grew up in Spain where smoking was ubiquituous. However, she is starting to get annoyed with my cigar smoke at times. I'm loathe to light a scented candle while I smoke as the last thing I'd want to taste while enjoying a Bolivar is 'Mountain Raspberry' or some such. I do like the idea of the baking soda and will give that a try.

[daverave999]

Anybody end up getting an ozone generator from ebay?

Upon receipt of my car one I realised it was mainly an ioniser. :doh: Even worse, it won't stay in the fag lighter socket in a Rover 25. Works fine in a Megane though...

[Pandyboy]

The Mrs had loads of Yankee candles, they seem to be loved by women, if I light one of these up in the conservatory when I smoke it seems to stop any lingering odour.

They are expensive but last for 150 hours so you can get plenty of use out of them.

[moppy]

What seems to work well for me is leaving windows open while smoking and making sure I smoke in a room with a minimal amount of fabrics around. So in my kitchen, with jus tiles and wood, it sticks less than in the lounge.

Also, I light up a few candles before I start to smoke. I have one of those candle stand things which have a reservoir for oils to burn on top from the candle heat, and I fill that up with some citrus smelling oils. Being in the kitchen I also turn on the extractor fan. Even with all these precautions though the smell lingers for 2 days atleast.

[Son of Cigarsmoke]

JOSTICKS! The cheap hippy style incence sticks do the trick!

[ChrisMClark]

I have an oil burner with Ylang-Ylang oil I pilfered from my wife...work quite well. It's easy that or a Nat Geo Nevada Desert flower plug in set on max; that sorts the cave out overnight, or at worse by the following lunchtime.