I was given a few pairs of black leather shoes from a family friend who maybe wore them once. Unfortunately, she is a heavy indoor smoker and the leather is absolutely saturated with with the smoky smell. I have no idea how to get the smell out of these, and they’re good quality shoes – Nine West, Chinese Laundry, Aerosoles, etc.
Anyone have any tried and true methods that don’t involve taking them to a professional cleaner?
I have not had this same situation, although I have a leather jacket that smells smokey after I go to a bar. I just hang it up in the garage to air out. That’s a little different than day after day heavy smoke.
You might try dusting the insides with baking soda (not baking powder), leave them out next to a small open dish of vinegar, and airing out outdoors in good weather.
No tried and true solution, though.
Put the shoes into a plastic bag with a dish of baking powder or other odor-absorbing substance (they sell quite a few different kinds these days) and let them sit for a few days. It would be even better to put some into two thin socks (or old pair of pantyhose) and stick them into the shoes.
That is the absolute safest way to remove the odor without potential damage to the shoes.