If you’ve ever spent a few hours at a bar that has several smokers or time by a campfire during a getaway weekend, you know how quickly smoke can permeate into your clothing and make it smell like an old stinky ashtray. You don’t even have to lift your shirt up to your nose to get a whiff of this unwanted odor. Fortunately, you’re not stuck forever with this nasty smell as there are a few useful tips that you can use to get smoke smell out of clothing.
How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes Without Washing Them
If you’re traveling and have spent time by a campfire, you may not have access to a washing machine and wonder how to get smoke smell out of clothes that you’ve been wearing. Next time this happens to you, try one or more of these tips to get smoke smell out of clothing without washing them:
Tip #1 – Air Your Clothing Out
One of the easiest ways to make your clothing smell better when you don’t have a washing machine is to let it sit out in fresh air. By hanging your garment in an outside area that is well ventilated, it should help get that smoky smell out after it’s had a chance to sit for a few days.
Tip #2 – Try Baking Soda
If you’ve ever looked at a baking soda box, you’ll probably see that one of its uses is to eliminate odors. When using this remedy, place your clothing in a large garbage bag or plastic shopping bag. Next, add about half a cup of baking soda and tightly secure the bag. Shake the clothing together with the baking soda for about 2 minutes so that the baking soda has a chance to cover your clothing. Leave it overnight, which will allow the baking soda to get smoke smell out of clothing that’s been permeated. The next day, open the bag outside and shake the baking soda off of the clothing. This should help get cigarette smell out of clothes as well.
Tip #3 – Use Steam
Steam is another option that can be used when you don’t have a washing machine handy. Check the manufacturer’s label to be sure that steaming is okay for your garment. Take an iron that has a steaming option and fill it with distilled water. Use this on your clothing to get rid of the foul odor. You can also use a 3 to 1 solution of distilled water to rubbing alcohol, which will help eliminate the odor.
Tip #4 – Create an Odor-Eliminating Spray
When you’ve got a smoke smell in your garment, you can also try using an odor-eliminating spray. You’ll find these commercially or you can choose to make your own. To do this, you’ll need to add equal parts of water and vinegar into a spray bottle. Then add 20 or more drops of essential oil into the mixture. Mint or lemon scents are two great choices.
How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes With a Washing Machine
When you have a washing machine available, it’s easier to get cigarette smell out of clothes. Try using one or more of these four tips the next time that you have this problem and need a quick solution:
Tip #1 – Vinegar Solution
Before you wash your clothing, place it in a washbasin or sink and add a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and warm water. You can also try to freshen up your clothing by adding a few drops of essential oils that give off the scent of lemon, orange or lavender. Soak your clothing for one hour and then wash it as directed by the manufacturer.
Tip #2 – Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice can also be effective. Take 1 to 3 lemons and squeeze them until you have a half cup of lemon juice. Add this to your clothing when it begins its first cycle. This should help remove nasty odors such as smoke and other foul scents that are unwanted.
Tip #3 – Vodka
Alcohol can be used as an odor remover when you have unwanted smells that you need to remove from your clothing. Purchase an inexpensive vodka or bottle of rubbing alcohol and pour 1/2 cup into your washing machine when you need to get rid of bad odors such as smoke. Then run your washing machine regularly as you would any other type of load.
Tip #4 – Laundry Scent Boosters
Another tip that you can use when you’re wondering how to get smoke smell out of clothes is to utilize natural or commercial laundry scent boosters. You’ll find these sold commercially in your local grocery store or you can choose to create your own homemade laundry scent boosters from essential oils. To do this, you need to take either one cup of sugar or 1 cup of rock salt and mix it with 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. You can use just about any flavor you’d like, which can range from peppermint or orange to lavender or lemon.
By using one or more of these tips, you should be able to get various smell out of clothes that have become stinky and unwearable. You also have the option of using a professional laundry in Farmington, NM to handle this process. Bring your smoke-filled clothing to Kelly’s Dry Cleaners when you require assistance from an expert.
