Whether it’s by smoking or being in an area filled with smoke like a campfire, your clothes will eventually smell like it too. It’s even worse if its smells like cigarettes. Cleaning smoke-scented clothes are way easier than you think. In this article, I will show you how to get the smoke smell out of your clothes.
How to get smoke smell out of clothes
Wash with Baking soda
Place the cigarette-smelling clothes inside the washer and add the best laundry detergent you have. Then add 1 cup of baking soda inside the washer onto the clothes., then wash them normally. After washing them place them inside the dryer for 60 minutes.
Air out your clothes
This is one of the best and easiest ways to get the smoke smell out of your clothes. All you have to do is hang the clothes outside so that they can air dry for a couple of hours. Doing this will get rid of the smoke smell of the garments.
Soak them
This is yet another easy method in this article. The first thing you need to do is get a bucket filled with warm water and add liquid detergent to it. Then place the cigarette-smelling clothes inside the bucket of water and let them smoke for 1-2 hours. After the time has passed place them inside the washer and wash them normally.
Wash them with vinegar
This is very similar to the baking soda method, but instead of using baking soda, you are going to use vinegar. Place the garments inside the washer and add 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar into the water (not directly onto the clothes). Then add some laundry detergent into the washer and wash using warm water.
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Wash with lemon extract
This might seem weird but it’s a great way of getting rid of nasty smoke odors out of almost any clothing. Just squeeze some lemons into a cup until you have around 1/4-1 cup of lemon juice. Now pour the lemon juice into the washer with the clothes inside of it and wash on a regular cycle. The lemon juice will even get rid of any other bad odors that were coming from the clothes.
Use Dryer sheets and fabric softener
Place the clothes inside the washer and add 2 cups of fabric softener. After washing them place them in the dryer and use around 4 dryer sheets. This will definitely get rid of the smoke odor that was in your clothes and also makes them smell ten times better than before.
Steam the Clothes Before Washing
Before tossing smoky clothes into the washer, hang them in the bathroom while running a hot shower or use a handheld steamer. The steam helps loosen smoke particles trapped in the fibers so they wash out more easily. This is especially helpful for thick fabrics like hoodies, winter coats, and denim.
2. Use a Vodka Mist to Neutralize Odor
Mix plain vodka (not flavored) with equal parts water and lightly mist the clothing. Vodka evaporates quickly and breaks down odor-causing compounds without leaving a scent behind. Let the item air dry completely before washing or wearing. This works great for clothing you can’t wash immediately.
Add a Few Coffee Filters Inside Pockets
Pockets hold onto smoke more than people realize. Slide 1–2 unused coffee filters inside each pocket before letting clothing air out. The filters absorb trapped odor from tight areas that washing sometimes misses.
Freeze Delicate Items Overnight
For delicate garments that can’t be washed frequently, place them inside a sealed bag and freeze them overnight. The cold helps break down and neutralize the bacteria that hold onto smoke odor. Follow up by airing the item out in a warm room.
Hang Clothing in the Sun for 20 Minutes, Then Shade-Dry
Direct sunlight naturally breaks down odor molecules — but too much sun can fade clothes. A smart method is to let clothes sit in direct sun for 15–20 minutes, then move them to a shaded, breezy spot to finish airing out. This gives you the deodorizing benefits of sun without color damage.
Conclusion
Getting smoke smell out of clothes is completely manageable when you use a mix of smart techniques that neutralize odors rather than just masking them. With methods like steaming, vodka misting, pocket deodorizing, freezing, and sun-air cycling, you have multiple ways to restore freshness to your clothing no matter how strong the smoke odor is. By combining the tips from the original article with these new strategies, you can confidently remove even the toughest smoke smells and keep your wardrobe smelling clean and fresh.
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