How to Get Smoke Smells Out of Clothes

So, if you’re wondering how to get smoke scent out of clothes, think of a sponge. In these scenarios, fabrics act like sponges, soaking up lingering odors. Eliminating these odors can be challenging without proper care, but this guide will help you with all the details to remove that unpleasant odor.

The Importance of Acting Quickly to Remove These Odors

Acting swiftly to remove smoke odors from clothes can prevent them from becoming deeply embedded. 

Fresh smoke smells are easier to tackle than stale ones because they require less intensive cleaning than long-standing odors. With prompt action, you can preserve your garments' quality and ensure that smells don’t linger.

How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes - At-Home Methods 

Discover effective strategies you can use at home to eliminate stubborn smoke odors from your clothes.

Airing Out Clothes

Airing out clothes is a straightforward and effective method. Take the affected garments outside and hang them on a clothesline or over a railing in a well-ventilated area. The natural airflow and exposure to sunlight work together to help dissipate the smoke smell over time.

Place the clothes near a fan indoors for faster results to increase air circulation. This method works well for garments not heavily soiled or stained with smoke residue. Depending on the intensity of the smoke smell, it may take several hours or even overnight.

Airing out is particularly beneficial for delicate fabrics that may not effectively withstand washing or drying cycles. Regularly rotating the garments can ensure all sides receive adequate airflow and promote thorough odor removal.

Vinegar or Baking Soda in the Washing Cycle

Vinegar and baking soda are household staples known for their odor-neutralizing properties. These two ingredients are effective in removing smoke smells from clothes.

Vinegar: Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. Vinegar's acidic nature helps break down odor-causing compounds and leaves clothes smelling fresh. For heavily smoke-affected garments, you can also soak them in a similar water and vinegar mixture before washing.

Baking Soda: Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer. You can sprinkle it directly into the drum of your washing machine with your regular detergent. It absorbs odors and helps lift them from the fabric fibers.

Both methods are gentle on fabrics and suitable for several clothing types that have absorbed light to moderate smoke odors.

Applying Scent Boosters

Scent boosters, such as dryer sheets or fabric softener pods infused with fragrances, effectively mask and neutralize smoke odors. The best part is that they can impart a fresh scent to clothes. These products work by releasing fragrance molecules during the drying process. They can adhere to fabric fibers and help counteract lingering odors.

Add scent boosters to the dryer along with your damp clothes, or use them in the washing machine during the rinse cycle. The heat from the dryer activates the scent boosters.

Choose scent boosters specifically formulated to combat odors for optimal results. They are useful for garments that require a quick refresh or for items with smoke smells that are rarely washed.