Ways to Eliminate Cigarette Odors from Clothing and Carpets

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 20 to 28 minutes
• Duration: 1 hour to 2 weeks

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: $0-10

Unpleasant smells from stale cigarette and cigar smoke can linger in your clothes and living space. If you’ve been in a smoky environment, it’s important to address the odor in your garments and home promptly. This will help to eliminate the smoke scent and prevent the accumulation of nicotine residue in the long run.

Although everyday household items can help eliminate odors, restoring freshness can take time. Continue reading to discover the most effective methods for removing cigarette and other smoky stains and odors from clothing, carpets, and upholstery.

Requirements You’ll Need

Devices / Instruments

• Basin for soaking or washbasin
• Drying line or laundry rack

Materials

• Sodium bicarbonate
• Refined clear vinegar
• Unscented industrial-strength laundry soap
• Water
• Fabric freshener (optional)

Instructions

Ways to Eliminate Cigarette and Cigar Odors from Clothes

If your washable garments and linens have absorbed smoke odors after just a brief exposure, these techniques are especially effective. However, prolonged exposure may require multiple applications.

Immerse in a mixture of baking soda and water.

To eliminate the smell, immerse washable garments in a sink or washing machine filled with warm water and a cup of baking soda overnight, then proceed with the washing.

Washing Machine Safe

• Once soaked, clean the item following the care label guidelines with a fragrance-free laundry detergent.
• Incorporate 1 cup of distilled white vinegar into the rinse cycle, then pause the cycle. Allow the laundry to soak in the vinegar and water mixture for one hour before finishing the rinse.
• When hand-washing garments, continue with your regular process, but incorporate vinegar into the rinse water.

Air-Dry

Hang the newly laundered garments and linens on a clothesline or drying rack in the sun to dry. If you need to use a clothes dryer, opt for a low heat setting, as high temperatures can cause lingering odors to adhere to the fabric fibers.

Tip

The ultraviolet rays from sunlight can effectively eliminate odors; however, intense sunlight may lead to fading of colors, so it’s advisable to hang darker garments in a shaded area. Additionally, air drying your laundry provides an opportunity for your clothes to freshen up.

Utilize a fabric refresher.

If the scent of smoke persists, consider applying a fabric refresher, available in both scented and unscented options, to help cover the odors. Certain in-wash products or sprays can attach to the odor molecules. When using a spray, it’s best to apply it outdoors and allow the fabric to air out.

Ways to Eliminate Cigarette and Cigar Odors from Carpets and Upholstery

If there’s a regular indoor smoker in your home, completely eliminating the odor of smoke from carpets and upholstery can be quite challenging. However, if the smoke exposure was limited, it is achievable.

• Clear out all ashtrays and throw away the garbage bags.
• Open numerous windows and activate circulating fans to facilitate the flow of fresh air.
• Fill small bowls or cups with undiluted distilled white vinegar and position them in the rooms that need treatment.
• Place any washable curtains, small rugs, cushions, and throw blankets from the impacted area into the washing machine.
• Dust your carpets and area rugs with plain, dry baking soda. Let it sit for approximately an hour before vacuuming it up. Remember to dispose of the vacuum bags or empty the vacuum container after you’re done.

Different Approaches to Eliminate Cigarette Odors

Typically, a single application of these procedures is sufficient to eliminate intense smoke smells. However, if your garments, carpets, or upholstery continue to carry persistent cigarette or smoke-related odors or nicotine marks, go through the steps again. If the issue persists, consider these alternative solutions:

• Lemon juice: Apply lemon juice exclusively to white clothing to eliminate odors. Before proceeding, check a concealed area of the fabric to ensure it won’t be harmed, and avoid using it on colored materials.
• Vodka: Apply undiluted vodka directly onto the fabric to remove unpleasant smells. Be sure to test an inconspicuous area first. Following the application, washing the item will enhance the odor-removing effect. If vodka isn’t available, rubbing alcohol can be used as an alternative.
• Essential oils: Incorporating a few drops of your preferred essential oil, like lemon or lavender, into your laundry can effectively eliminate smoky odors.
• Laundry fragrance enhancers: These are additives available as beads or crystals that infuse a powerful aroma into your garments once they are washed.
• Oxygen bleach: Soak your clothing in oxygen bleach according to the manufacturer’s guidelines prior to washing. Additionally, there are various other odor-eliminating products you might consider using.
• Laundry stripping: Create a homemade laundry stripping solution to refresh and clarify your garments, effectively eliminating smoky smells.
• Activated charcoal: Consider using a commercial odor eliminator designed for upholstery or carpets that incorporates activated charcoal.

Tip

Make sure to identify the fabric type of your upholstery—whether it’s polyester, cotton, linen, velvet, or microfiber—prior to choosing a cleaning technique.

Is it possible for the odors of smoke and cigarettes to be removed from clothing?

Indeed, it is possible to eliminate smoke and cigarette odors from garments, although you might have to repeat the cleaning process and consider using additional products to enhance the odor removal.

What is the duration required for the smell of cigarettes to dissipate from clothes?Typically, a single wash cycle is sufficient to eliminate cigarette smells from garments.What are some effective ways to eliminate the odor of smoke?

Bowls filled with charcoal and distilled white vinegar can effectively eliminate smoke odors in a room. If you have a fabric refresher spray available, you can use it on clothing, upholstery, and carpets to help combat the smoke smell. These sprays work by capturing and masking the odor until you can thoroughly remove the smoky scent.