Want to learn how to get smoke smell out of clothes? You’ve clicked on the right article.
Smoke odor in clothes is a common problem for smokers and non-smokers alike. Clothes can smell like smoke after attending a concert, enjoying s’mores around a fire pit, standing too close to cigarette smoke, or for a variety of other reasons.
Many people try different methods to clean or eliminate the smell from their clothes. In all cases, results vary depending on how long the garment was exposed to smoke. Continue reading for some easy methods on how to get smoke smell out of clothes and get your clothes smelling as fresh as ever!
Method 1: Dry Cleaning
Some people prefer to take their smoke-smelling clothes to a dry cleaner, as it’s sometimes the easiest and most effective way to remove any lingering odors. If taken as soon as the smell is noticed, most dry cleaners can remove all smells from clothes quite quickly with little effort.
Furthermore, the environmentally friendly option of Green Dry Cleaning refers to any alternative dry cleaning method that does not involve the use of harsh chemicals, which can increase the longevity of your garments. However, if the smoke smell has been in the garment for too long or if the odor is particularly strong, these methods may not work at all or may require more than one dry clean attempt.
Furthermore, some people are sensitive or allergic to chemicals used by commercial cleaners in traditional dry cleaning procedures, which makes dry cleaning an inappropriate choice for them. However, the Green more environmentally friendly option may still be an alternative. And then there’s the issue of cost. Without having to pay for dry cleaning, there are many other easy ways you can remove odors from your clothes.
Method 2: Washing Machine
The second method on how to get smoke smell out of clothes is using the good ol’ washing machine. There may not be a need to send your clothes away to an expensive dry cleaner. Take garments that smell like smoke and run them through a normal wash cycle with the rest of your laundry. Use standard detergent and avoid washing with cold water.
Warm, or even hot water, helps lift dirt and grime from fabric fibers. You can expand on this method by adding some household products to the wash to further assist with the process. Although these methods may require more time than other approaches, they’re definitely worth trying if you don’t mind doing a little extra work at home!
Adding Baking Soda or Distilled White Vinegar
You can add one cup of baking soda or distilled white vinegar to each load. Adding a cup of baking soda or vinegar to the washing machine helps break down oils in fabrics caused by smoking.
Adding Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is acidic and has enzymes that break down the oils left on your clothes by cigarette smoke. All you need to do is mix equal parts detergent and lemon juice. Then start the washing machine like normal and let the lemon take care of the smoke odor.
Adding Vodka Alcohol
If you can’t find vinegar or baking soda lying around, alcohol is another way to tackle the smoke smells. You can use an inexpensive bottle of vodka or even rubbing alcohol. Add half a cup to the washing machine before beginning the new load.
Method 3: Hang to Dry and Sunlight
If you didn’t get your garment to a dry cleaner in time or if the smell is still there even after trying a wash or two, there may be something else worth trying before giving up completely on your favorite clothes. Take smoke-smelling clothes outside where they can receive plenty of sunshine and fresh air.
This will help rid them of odors without using harsh chemicals or materials that may irritate sensitive skin or harm fabrics. However, this method typically takes at least a few hours or even a few days for best results, so plan accordingly!
Method 4: Cleaning With Essential Oils
Using essential oils for cleaning is a great way to naturally clean and deodorize clothes, shoes, or even furniture. Essential oils are also widely recognized for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This makes them the perfect cleaner to use when removing cigarette smell or other smoke smell from clothes!
Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Soak the garments in the mixture overnight, then hang it outside in a well-ventilated area to air dry. Reapply this process daily until you notice an improvement in how your clothes smell.
Another way to use essential oils is by adding them to the washing machine with the smoky clothes. Just add a couple of drops. You can either use regular detergent as well or just the oils.
Method 5: Steam
Steam is an excellent way to remove smells from clothes because it uses water and heat—two things that help break down oils left by cigarette smoke (and other odors.) You can invest in a handheld garment steamer if you want to try this method, or any iron with a steaming function will work. Fill the iron with distilled water, and iron your smoky clothes.
Method 6: Odor Eliminating Spray
There are many different ways to get smoke smell out of clothes, but one that is often overlooked is odor-eliminating spray. These sprays can be purchased from most grocery stores or you can even concoct your own. To make your own, just add equal parts of vinegar and water to a spray bottle.
Odor eliminator sprays work by using strong chemicals like ammonia, formaldehyde, and ethanol to break down the components in the air, which cause bad odors. These products come ready to use with a variety of scents for consumers who want their home or clothing items to smell fresh again without all the hassle.
Method 7: Coffee Grounds
By following these steps, you can effectively use coffee grounds to eliminate smoke smell from your clothes, leaving them smelling clean and fresh.
- Prepare the Clothes: Gather the smoky clothes that need to be treated. Ensure they are clean and dry before proceeding with the coffee ground method.
- Get Fresh Coffee Grounds: Obtain a sufficient amount of fresh coffee grounds. You can use either unused coffee grounds or those that have been recently brewed and dried. The aroma of coffee helps to neutralize and absorb the smoke odor from the clothes.
- Select a Large Plastic Bag: Choose a clean and large plastic bag that can accommodate all the clothes you want to treat. Make sure it’s big enough to allow movement of the clothes and the coffee grounds.
- Combine Clothes and Coffee Grounds: Place the smoky clothes inside the large plastic bag. Then, pour the fresh coffee grounds into a bowl and place it inside the bag with the clothes. The coffee grounds will act as a natural deodorizer, absorbing the smoke odor from the fabric.
- Seal the Bag: Once the clothes and coffee grounds are inside, seal the plastic bag tightly. This will ensure that the coffee grounds can effectively work on removing the smoke smell from the clothes.
- Allow Time for Absorption: Leave the sealed bag undisturbed for a couple of days. During this time, the coffee grounds will absorb the smoke odor from the clothes, leaving them smelling fresher.
- Remove Clothes and Wash: After a couple of days have passed, open the bag and remove the clothes. Shake off any excess coffee grounds from the clothes. Then, proceed to wash the clothes using your regular laundry detergent and follow the care instructions on the clothing labels.
- Dry the Clothes: Once washed, air dry the clothes either by hanging them outdoors in the sun or indoors in a well-ventilated area. Ensure the clothes are completely dry before storing them away.
How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes: Conclusion
Sometimes, the best solution how to get smoke smell out of clothes is simply to use multiple methods at once! For instance, if simply hanging the garments outside doesn’t work, try putting them in your washing machine and adding a couple of drops of essential oils with the detergent.
Getting rid of smoke smell from clothing can be a tricky task, but it’s not impossible. In this blog from PuroClean, you’ve learned a few tricks to help remove that smoky smell without necessarily resorting to using harsh chemicals or spending money on expensive dry cleaning services. Using these natural methods is better for your clothes in more ways than one.
If you’re looking for tips to restore clothing after a house fire, follow our guide. Also, for tobacco smoke odor removal in homes, take a look at this article.
Call PuroClean for Your Smoke Damage Restoration Needs!
Smoke can cause damage to your clothing, property, and health. Using a washing machine or even fresh air can help eliminate the stink from smoky clothes, but what about the rest? PuroClean’s professionals are experts at smoke damage restoration. Our certified technicians are available 24/7. Call us today at 1-800-775-7876 and get connected to your local office!
