Whether you've been around a campfire, attended a smoky event, or encountered secondhand smoke, that lingering odor on your clothes can be unpleasant. Fortunately, there are effective methods to eliminate smoke smells and refresh your garments.
What Causes Smoke Smell to Linger On Clothes?
A campfire may smell great when you’re roasting marshmallows, but why does that smoky scent stick around? When you're exposed to smoke from sources like cigarettes, campfires, or fireplaces, these smoke particles are released into the air. As you move around in smoky environments, these particles can settle onto your clothing, attaching themselves to the fibers.
The reason smoke smell tends to linger on clothes is due to the nature of the fabric and the size of the smoke particles. Fabrics, especially natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk, have a complex structure with tiny spaces between the fibers. The smoke particles are small enough to fit into these spaces and get embedded within the fabric. Unlike the air, which can freely circulate and disperse smoke particles, clothes create a more confined environment. As a result, the smoke particles remain trapped within the fabric, even after the smoky event has ended.
How to Get Smoke Smell Out Of Clothes
1. Air Our Your Clothes
Hang your clothes outside in a well-ventilated area. Fresh air and sunlight can help dissipate smoke odors. Leave them out for several hours, preferably midday when the sun is strongest. This is best when you're camping or far away from your washing machine.
2. Dry Clean
If your garment is labeled dry-clean only, we recommend bringing them strait to your nearest professional dry cleaner.
3. Wash in Your Washing Machine
Presoak: Presoaking your fabric in water with a little detergent or vinegar can help dislodge the smoke particles embedded in fabric, which will help get the smell out more easily.
Wash On High Temperature: Next, wash your clothes on the highest temperature that is safe for your garments. Consult the care label on your items - it will tell you which temperature to use.
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Use an enzyme-based detergent: We love Dropps Odor + Stain Laundry Detergent or Free & Clear Laundry Detergent if you prefer fragrance-free.
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Use one of these tried-and-true natural odor-neutralizers:
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Baking Soda: Add a half cup of baking soda in the wash alongside your detergent.
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White Vinegar: Add a cup of vinegar to the wash alongside your detergent.
- Oxi Booster: The bubbling action of an oxygen bleach can help dislodge stubborn stains and odors. We love these Oxi Booster pods because they're easy to drop-in the machine and have an extra boost of enzymes for cleaning away stains and odors.
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Air Dry: Once you've washed your garments, air-dry, preferable outside in direct sunlight. You can also use the dryer with a dryer sheet or Wool Dryer Balls.
Still Can't Get the Smoke Out?
If you tried all the the washing techniques and your garments still smell of smoke, you should inspect the garment for any visible stains that may be contributing to the smoke smell. Pretreat and repeat the washing steps accordingly. If the odor still lingers, you should consult a professional laundry service or dry cleaner before discarding your item.