Dear Heloise: I read your response regarding smoke-odor elimination, and I am surprised that you did not refer the writer to a dry cleaner who had an ozone machine to remove the smoke odor. The machines work and do a fantastic job of removing all smoke, and then items can be cleaned afterward, either by washing or dry cleaning, based on the fabric.

My best story to emphasize the effectiveness of an ozone machine is that of my sister-in-law and her husband, who purchased a used mobile home. The former owner of some 20-plus years was a heavy smoker, and the home reeked of cigarette smoke. A month before they moved, I placed my ozone machine inside and let it run 24 hours a day until they moved in. And what a surprise to them -- no smoke smell!