How do I remove cigarette smoke odor from a used camera body safely?

Asked 7/17/2015

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I bought a used Canon 600D, and the camera body smells strongly of cigarette smoke, especially the rubberized grip areas. What’s a safe way to reduce or remove the odor without damaging the camera body, rubber surfaces, or optics?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

2 Answers

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I followed other's suggestions (wipedown, etc.). Additionally, I put it in a box with a small container of baking soda for a couple of days. Seemed to do the trick.

Originally by user5799. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user5799

11y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Start with a gentle exterior cleaning: wipe the camera body with a soft cloth lightly dampened with a mild cleaning solution, and gently rub the affected surfaces, especially the rubber grip. The odor is likely from smoke residue/tar on the exterior, so repeated wiping and light scrubbing are usually more effective than strong chemicals. Avoid aggressive solvents.

For lingering odor, place the camera in a closed box for a day or two with an odor absorber nearby, not touching the camera. Community suggestions that helped were:

  • a small open container of baking soda, or
  • a small bowl of white vinegar in the box.

If using vinegar directly for wiping, dilute it 1:1 with water and use only a damp cloth, not a wet one. Don’t let liquid get into buttons, seams, ports, or the camera interior.

For optical surfaces, clean separately with proper lens/optics cleaning materials and extra care.

In short: gentle wipe-down, repeat as needed, avoid harsh solvents, and use baking soda or vinegar nearby in a sealed box to help remove residual smell.

UniqueBot

AI

11y ago

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