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hanging clothes outside on a line to remove smoky smell

How to Easily Remove Campfire Smoke Smell Out of Your Clothes

If you’re a fan of camping, then you know there’s nothing quite like sitting around a campfire at night. I know  I always enjoy relaxing by the fire and roasting some marshmallows. However, one downside of campfires is that the smell of smoke can linger on your clothes long after the fire has died down.

If you’re looking for ways how to get smoke smell out of clothes, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll give you a few tips on how to effectively remove campfire smoke from your clothing.

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Removing that heavy, smoky scent from clothes may seem impossible, so Wendy Saladyga, Persil stain expert and senior manager of technical performance at Persil ProClean created a list of tips and tricks to remove smoke odor from clothes and get them smelling clean and fresh again.

So, if you’re ready to learn how to get rid of that pesky campfire smell, then let the campfires commence!

family sitting in front of smoky campfire and tent

1. Wash your clothes as soon as possible.

This is probably the most obvious tip, but it’s also the most important. The sooner you wash your clothes after being exposed to smoke, the better. If you let the smoke odor particles sit on your clothing for too long, they’ll become embedded in the fabric and will be much harder to remove.

So, as soon as you get back from your camping trip, toss your smoky clothes into the wash. Even if they’re not dirty, it’s still a good idea to give them a rinse to remove any lingering smoke particles.

Tip: Store smoky clothes in an airtight container.

If you can’t wash your smoky clothes right away, then be sure to store them in an airtight container. This will prevent the smoke particles from spreading to other clothes and will make them easier to wash later on.

Related: Get tips on how to wash down jackets. 

2. Choose a strong liquid detergent. 

When you’re washing smoky clothes, it’s important to use a strong liquid laundry detergent, such as Persil ProClean Odor Fighter, to combat the heavy smoke odor. This will help to break up the smoke molecules and remove them from your clothing more effectively.

If you don’t have any liquid detergent on hand, you can also use white vinegar. Just add a cup of vinegar to your wash cycle along with your regular detergent. The vinegar will help to neutralize the smoke odor and leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean.

smoky clothes soaking in Persil Pro Clean Odor Eliminator

3. Add baking soda to your laundry.

Another great way to remove campfire smoke from clothing is to add baking soda to your laundry. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber, so it will help to eliminate the smoke smell from your clothes.

Just add a cup of baking soda to your washing machine along with your detergent. You can also sprinkle some baking soda directly onto your smoky clothes before putting them in the wash.

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4. Wash the item in hot water.

When washing smoky clothes, be sure to wash the item in the highest heat setting that is recommended according to the care instructions on the label. This will help to kill any bacteria that may be causing the smoke odor.

5. Smell the clothes after washing

After the wash has ended, smell the clothing to check if there are any lingering odors and ensure the smoke odor has gone. If not, wash again with the same liquid detergent. If necessary, you can also add a cup of white vinegar or baking soda to the second wash cycle.

If the smell isn’t gone before drying, you can lock in the odor by tumble drying on low heat. So, it’s best to re-wash the clothing if the smoke odor is still present.

6. Dry your clothes outdoors.

If possible, try to dry your smoky clothes outdoors. The fresh air will help to remove any lingering smoke odor from your clothing.

If you can’t dry your clothes outside, you can dry them in a dryer on the lowest heat setting. Be sure to remove the clothes from the dryer as soon as they’re done to prevent the smoke odor from becoming trapped in the fabric. For added freshness, you can also add a dryer sheet to the dryer. A few drops of essential oils can also be added to the dryer sheet for a pleasant scent.

hanging clothes outside on a line to remove smoky smell

7. Store your clothes in an airtight container.

Once your smoky clothes are clean and fresh-smelling, be sure to store them in an airtight container while camping. This will prevent the smoke odor from coming back and will keep your clothes smelling great.

8. Use a smoke odor eliminator.

If you’re still struggling to remove the smoke smell from your clothes, then you may want to try using a smoke odor eliminator, such as FunkAway Smoke Odor Eliminator. These products are designed specifically to remove smoke odors from clothing and other fabrics.

Just follow the instructions on the product label and be sure to ventilate the area while you’re using it.

9. For stubborn smells, soak your clothes in vinegar.

If you’re really struggling to remove the smokey odor from your clothes, then you can try soaking them in vinegar. Just fill a sink or tub with warm water and add a cup of white vinegar. Soak your smoky clothes in the solution for 30 minutes, then wash them as usual.

The vinegar will help to neutralize the smoke odor and leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean.

10. Try dry cleaning.

If all else fails, then you may need to try dry cleaning your smoky clothes. This is usually the best way to remove stubborn smoke odors from clothing.

Just be sure to tell the dry cleaner that your clothes are smoky so they can take the appropriate measures to clean them properly.

Now that you know how to remove campfire smoke from your clothes, you can enjoy your camping trip without worry. I’ve shared the best ways  to remove the smoke smell from clothes, so you can be sure your clothes will come out smelling fresh and clean.

I hope this article was helpful. At a minimum, just be sure to wash your smoky clothes as soon as possible and use a strong liquid detergent to get rid of the tough smoke odor.  With these tips, you’ll have no problem keeping your clothes smelling fresh and clean. If you have any other questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading! 

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Written by:
Nicky Omohundro
Published on:
August 29, 2022
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Categories: Family

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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Hello, my name is Nicky, founder of Little Family Adventure. I'm a vivacious mother of three who wants to assist you in having "No Child Left Inside." With one teenager still at home and two young adults successfully out navigating the world, I'm out exploring the world and traveling with and sometimes without them to provide you with fresh food ideas, travel destinations, and family-friendly activities. Allow me to help you discover your own Little Family Adventure!

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