BLARGH. How to get cigarette tar-smell out of a G1?

[Dusky]

So I bought a relatively grubby LOOKING pony off eBay and thought 'Hey, I have time, I will clean her up for my swap partner since she wants that one!', and sure enough the seller sends her to me, in her own lil' box, all neatly wrapped, fast delivery...

She stinks of tar, not smoke, tar. It's that nasty, acrid, crawls-up-your-nose bite of cigarette residue that comes from the house of a heavy or chain smoker.

Firstly: ARGH I can't give her to my swapper like that! I'm already getting a spare of this pony in case I can't fix this one.
Secondly: Even if I keep her I am NOT putting her on a shelf like this.
Thirdly: The real kicker? Her eyes, symbols, blush, body condition and hair are otherwise gorgeous. She just smellls bad!

She's currently in a plastic bag with some dry rice to soak out the remains of her bath without making my room smell awful.

[Majesty]

I would try febreeze.  I don't think it'll hurt your pony to just soak it in febreeze and it should get rid of the cigarette smoke smell.  I hope this helps.  I had bought a pony at my first pony fair that smelled like cigarette smoke. She was in a box with ponies that were in plastic bags.  I think it was either peachy or snuzzle.  Anyway, I just sprayed febreeze on her like crazy and let her air dry and she was fine.

[Icecrystalline]

I'd pop her in bicarb of soda and water mixture, it gets rid of the smell, but I don't know if it affects symbols, it's quite gentle, but I'd test a bait first.... I'd say in a jam jar add 2tsp bicarb to half the jar full of water and stir thoroughly... good luck!

[Dusky]

Thanks guys! Bicarb and Febreeze (gotta love that brand names appear everywhere) added to the shopping list. She's not got a glittery or magic-message symbol so she should be okay. I can't say who she is exactly in case my swapper sees the thread. O.o

[Lygeia]

I've had good luck with baking soda...Arm and Hammer makes the kind in a small cardboard box where you just rip off a portion of the box and the soda is exposed but not loose.  Put the pony and the baking soda box in an air-tight container.  Check on the progress periodically and shake the baking soda box to refresh its "power"   Your pony might need more treatments than just this but it's an easy way to start.  I've gotten heavy cigarette smell out of leather with this method.  Good luck!

[ashes]

That is all good advice.  I do hope you are able to get rid of the smell!

[apanda0622]

I agree with the baking soda.  Put her in a closed and well sealed box with a cup of baking soda and let her sit in there for like a month.

[Stiletto]

Smoke is the WORST pony smell EVER!  I can't imagine the smell of cigarette TAR.  I would probably puke but good luck.  Let us know what worked ... I'm curious ....

[hathorcat]

Be careful with febreeze - some pony hair colour is not colour fast and febreeze is not always the kindest to ponies.

For me its baking soda, kitty litter and fresh air!

For me I have found the best option is to put a pony in a sealed tupperware or other container along with a jam jar lid or similar filled with baking soda. Leave her for a week. Take her out and stand her somewhere with fresh air for a week. Then back in the container with fresh baking soda...back into the fresh air...repeat as many times to get the smell gone.

You can try kitty litter instead of the soda.