I'm an idiot

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

You really don't need to tell me just how big of an idiot I am. I know.
I went away for the weekend and left a candle burning (I know).
I've come home to a flat full of smoke and a lovely charcoal shelf on my bookcase. I have a black wall and ceiling and I am very VERY lucky.
How do I get rid of the acrid smell. Can I or will everything soft have to go?
Thanks. I'm an idiot.

[Tilly2]

That's a nice thing to say, gness. We all make mistakes and some of us are lucky
enough to learn from them.

[gness]

Still learning here Tilly. How about you.:-)

[tonyav]

Well I will admit to still learning ( and sometimes the hard way ).

[gness]

Still Tony, much more fun than being perfect.

[tonyav]

Shhhh, Don't tell everyone, I have an image to uphold you know lol.

[Frank97]

No , not an idiot at all, going to sleep with a lit candle on a plate on the bed, then waking up with the quilt on fire is being an idiot!

[micmak]

Many many years ago I put a paraffin heater in the bedroom for an hour before bedtime. The wick burnt out (or something) At bedtime when I opened the door all I could see was black smoke. I couldn't see the window to get them open. Everything in that room was ruined. Even things in the drawers, wardrobe etc. It took weeks of wall washing and painting to make it look half way presentable.

[Tilly2]

We ruined a lovely Stag mahogany dressing table by leaving a candle burning on a dish. We've never done it since.

[pastafreak]

This works really well to get rid of odours. It costs as little as £1.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Thank you once again everybody. You're too kind.
I've just finished the cleanup, apart from sugarsoaping, and the leather placemat thing has worked a treat. It looks really good and completely hides the damage!
The smell seems to be subsiding. I am a lucky lucky girl.