Are you forced to ask a colleague who smokes for a ride to work? Did you just inherit a trunk of clothes from a smoking aunt? You have now become numb to the smell of cigarette smoke, but your new girlfriend still hasn't? Removing the smell of smoke from clothes may seem like an impossible task, however there are some methods that are worth trying before giving up forever.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Eliminate the Smoke Odor from Clothes with a Wash
Step 1. Have the washing machine fill with water
Use the highest temperature expected on the clothing label.
Step 2. Add a cup of white vinegar
The acidity of the product helps to break down the smoke and tar molecules that cause the unpleasant odor.
For greater effectiveness, you can also add a cup of baking soda to the solution
Step 3. Immerse the clothes in the solution and leave them to soak for at least an hour
If you don't have the option to fill the washing machine with water for a pre-soak (for example in the case of a front loading machine), use a large basin, sink or tub, then transfer the clothes to the washing machine to wash them. Alternatively, simply add some vinegar and baking soda during the wash, using a pre-wash program (if the washing machine provides it)
Step 4. Add the detergent and proceed with the normal wash
Smell the clothes at the end of the cycle: if they still smell bad, repeat the process.
Step 5. Dry them in the open air, if possible
If you wish, spray them first with an odor-eliminating spray. If you use the dryer, add one or more antistatic sheets.
Step 6. Check that the washing machine has not become impregnated with the smell of smoke
You may need to clean it up, especially if it is new and high-performing. Follow the instructions specific to your washing machine, or repeat the recommended process without inserting the clothes.
Method 2 of 4: Eliminate Odor by Bagging Clothes
Step 1. Place your clothes in a very large plastic zip lock bag, or use one that you can tie or tape
Step 2. Insert antistatic sheets for the dryer inside the bag
Use one for every 1-2 items of clothing.
Some sheets, especially scented ones, can stain clothes if left in contact for an extended period of time. Consider using a bag large enough to be able to place the sheets inside without touching your clothes
Step 3. Seal the bag, wait then replace the sheets if necessary
Check the odor level daily and change the antistatic sheets at least every two days: the longer you wait, the longer the process.
Step 4. Try adding baking soda to the bag instead of antistatic sheets, or use both
Baking soda is a great odor absorber, which is why some people put an open box of it in the refrigerator.
- Use a spoonful for every 1-2 items of clothing.
- Add a spoonful to the inside of the bag, then shake it to distribute it evenly.
- Shake the bag every two days - preferably outdoors - to remove excess bicarbonate, then add more.
Step 5. Wash your clothes normally, or consult the washing steps in this article
You can remove excess baking soda if you wish, although it can be helpful to leave it on your clothes while washing.
Method 3 of 4: Air the Clothes
Step 1. Hang them outside
It may seem like a trivial piece of advice, but sometimes the simpler method is just the one for you. Let the outdoors and the weather do their job.
- Use a clothesline if you have one, or lay your clothes on a railing or on the back of a chair.
- It is sufficient that the climate is dry, even if the ideal is a sunny day, with a light breeze.
Step 2. Hang your clothes inside
In case the climate is not suitable, find an isolated interior space - the cellar, the attic, the garage or even the porch - in which to hang them.
The more you leave them lying in the air (inside or outside), the better the result
Step 3. Spray your clothes
Consider using an odor-eliminating spray suitable for fabrics, before exposing them to the open air.
- First, test a small, hidden piece of fabric to make sure the spray doesn't leave any stains.
- It may be useful to try specific sprays for the smell of smoke. You can find a large selection of them in stores and online.
- Some odor-eliminating sprays have a double function, that is, they can be used both as sprays and as additives in the washing machine. Check the product sheet.
Method 4 of 4: Try Other Methods to Eliminate the Smoke Odor
Step 1. Consider several options for bagging
Some people prefer to use other remedies inside a sealed bag, such as newspaper rolls, coffee grounds in fabric bags, activated charcoal or cedar shavings. Try different combinations until you find the one you like best.
Step 2. Experiment with other washing methods
You can also try using ammonia and / or sodium borate in the wash cycle. Follow the instructions on the product and be careful, especially if there are children in the house, as these products contain dangerous chemicals.
In case you are particularly creative, know that some people claim that adding a scoop of mouthwash or a can of Coke during washing can help remove the smell of smoke
Step 3. Try using a specific detergent for horse blankets
There are specific detergents that can also be used safely for clothes. If they are able to eliminate the smell of stable and horse, they should also be effective for that of cigarettes.
Step 4. Use a professional cleaner
If it is a question of clothes that can only be dry cleaned and hanging them in the air or closing them in a bag was not enough, you have no other choice.
A good professional cleaner should have several options for cleaning clothes that smell of smoke. Take a tour of the shops in your area in search of the one that's right for you
Step 5. Carefully consider whether to use an ozone generator
If you have a lot of clothes that smell of smoke (for example because you just inherited a smoker's clothing), be aware that some people recommend hanging them for a couple of days in a closed room where an ozone generator is placed. Remember to always follow the instructions for the machinery in question.
If you opt for this method, be very cautious: ozone is harmful to health and there is insufficient scientific evidence to confirm the detergent and disinfectant properties declared by the manufacturers of these machinery. Nonetheless, it has been shown that an ozone generator is able to eliminate the smell of smoke from second-hand clothing
Warnings
- There is growing concern that "third-hand smoke" - that is, the residue that settles on clothing and elsewhere - can cause damage to health. So you may have more important reasons for applying these methods than simply eliminating the bad smell.
- The most effective way to prevent your clothes from smelling of smoke is to avoid cigarettes, and the best way to do this is to not smoke - that is, not to start at all.
