Thinkpads Forum

so i bought a used T40 not too long ago and there's horrible cigarette smell that i can smell right off the lid. i'vetried wiping it down with febreeze and everything, and the smell is still there. any suggestions?

Wow. That's terrible.

Set the system in a closed space with an open box of baking soda?

Worth a shot. Try something that absorbs orders, instead of covers them up.

if there's smoke residue inside, then you might need to take the thing apart some and clean it-or take it in somewhere for a clean.

i had a system some years back that actually had corroded some inside from the chemicals in smoke residue (or so i was told).

I'm not sure what Febreeze is but I always clean my laptop with pure alcohol (you can buy it from any pharmacy), the case, screen - everything. May be you could try alcohol on the keyboard.

thanks for the suggestions everyone, ill get on it asap.

Cigarette smell is probably the toughest smell to get out. Just cleaning outside the case won't solve it. I am sure the chemical / smell is all embedded every possible surface inside the components of your computer.

Also using the baking soda in an enclosed space will only absorb the smell that is coming out, it will be same as leaving your computer in an open space. So it won't remove the odor producing chemicals inside.

If it is possible and if you know how to, I would disassemble the entire computer and clean out whatever you can with rubbing alcohol or acetone.

The spaces under each key of the keyboard would have accumulated residues since it had large surface area where smoke residues would have accumulated.

I don't know how you would clean up the systemboard with all the electronics. You don't want to get any kind of fluid there. May be can of air spray may help a little.

Don't you just wish you can just put it in a washing machine and dryer to get it cleaned nicely?

Actually, i've done that with some of my computer components. Just the keyboard off my desktop so far.

It was dusty and grimy from years or use (I only like the older style keyboards that do NOT have a windows key), so I took all the keys off, took it apart, and put all the components in the dishwasher (non-heated air dry).

I let the pieces dry fully, and put it back together. Good as new!

I've always cleaned my keyboards by using compressed air. Sometimes, when the keyboard is really overdue for a cleaning, I'll use the compressed air to knock off the loose dirt then I'll use a damp rag soaked in Windex. After that, I wait for it to dry then get the dirt that collected to the keys off with compressed air.

If you use compressed air on the keyboard at least once a week, although you won't get all the dirt under the keys, you'll at least keep it from collecting permanently onto them.

Reviving another old thread but, I bought an R30 off ebay and the keyboard smells like 10 men stuck in a sauna for days!!! I have removed all keys and white plastic hinges. Then there is thin rubber material that has the cones from the keys molded on it. This is the part that reeks of sweat. I have washed it with a mildly soaped dish cloth but still smells. I like the baking soda idea but agree that it will not remove the odor, only absorb what is released. Any other suggestions???
I would rather not replace the keyboard as it is in very good shape.

[EDIT #1] I just rubbed the material down with alcohol and still smelly!

I hate it when you get stinky hardware

On a photo you can't see if the hardware stinks

You could always take up smoking...

Another factor to consider: the smell will eventually go away on its own, IF your computer doesn't make things worse. But tobacco is extremely addictive, and your ThinkPad may be unable to stop. It could be sneaking smokes on the sly, when you're not looking. Some telltale signs include a yellowish stain on the keyboard, jumpy Trackpoint motion, new programs written in Caml, and browsers mysteriously changing their homepage to marlboro.com.

If you think your ThinkPad may be smoking, there are several things you can do. Begin running an anti-smoking program regularly (I've heard bad things about Norton Anti-Smoking, though), and keep it updated for new brands and blends. If you have voice-recognition software, TALK to your computer about smoking. And if worst comes to worst, you can apply the patch (if your computer is still under warranty, Lenovo will send it to you on CD).

And finally, whatever you do, don't run any file-sharing software. Most computers pick up smoking from their peers and only keep smoking to "fit in."

Good luck!

I'll keep my eye out for those good-for-nothing peers, but I think its sneaking out to do some side jobs without me knowing. It stinks of sweat and not smoke.

As for more tries, I wiped it down with vinegar. And still it over powers with sweat smell.

Try one of these Glad air fresheners (bottle with a wick).
Take the keyboard off and put it and the freshener in a large plastic bag for a day or 2. Worst case, your keyboard smells of freshener, which is a lot more palatable than smelly armpits or socks....