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Removing cigarette smell from fabrics Is it even possible?
Vintage Joan Intermediate ON CANADA Member since 2007 Posts: 7969	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/26/12 2:26 PM A friend of mine gave me a homemade quilt she wasn't using anymore -- not fancy, but it's nice and warm, and I plan to use it as my cool-weather cover-up in the living room. But my friend is a smoker, so there's a cigarette smell to it... I'm not sure it's even possible to get this smell out. I still have books and cloth items from my childhood home that smell like "my mother's house" (i.e. like cigarette smoke). Is there anything that might help? I don't know if the quilt is washable -- it seemed a bit rude to ask. ------ my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Image: Berthe Morisot, Young Woman Leaning on Her Elbows, 1894
Sew Ducky Beginner TN USA Member since 2006 Posts: 910	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/26/12 2:46 PM I, and my DH, smoke, and I place a half cup of vinegar into the washing machine when I wash clothes. Not only does it get residue from soap and nicotine out, but the clothes smell (to other people) smoke free. I do not know about quilts, since I don't do it. I know I wash my clothes like that and it hasn't hurt them. YMMV. ------ Elaina SewDucky.com
fabrictherapy   Advanced GA USA Member since 2010 Posts: 111	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/26/12 3:39 PM I have a longarm, and have received quilt tops from a very dear friend who lives in a house with her hubby who smokes. Get a thick garbage bag, 2 bars of Irish Spring Soap, put the quilt in there and the 2 bars of soap and tie it shut *dont use the drawstrings*. Let it sit for about 2 weeks and it will remove the smoke smell. Febreeze will only cover the odor, this will remove it completely.
elizajo   Intermediate LA USA Member since 2005 Posts: 1108	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/26/12 3:46 PM I wash the quilt on my bed every week due to allergies and golden retriever fur floating around. I use regular liquid detergent, unscented with no additives. I use vinegar or softener to remove hard water deposits. If it has never been washed before and has cotton batting, it will get that antiqued crinkle look. ------ Elizabeth
Learn To Sew   Advanced Beginner WA USA Member since 2005 Posts: 5247	Login to reply to this post In reply to Vintage Joan Like this post Date: 1/26/12 4:19 PM Possibly washing it in Nature's Miracle should help. It helps a lot of other things. I use it for the dogs when they have accidents, or get sick. Especially on the bedspread. Gets rid of the smell. I think you might have to do it a few times, but it should be gone for good. Vinager might also do the trick. I just do not know. Ask if the quilt is washable. It most likely is. It might shrink if the fabric is not preshrunk. I do not know if a dry cleaner can get the smoke smell out or not. Is the fabric Yellowed from smoke or does it just smell bad? -- Edited on 1/26/12 4:20 PM -- ------ I enjoy quilting as it calms my mind Bernina 630 / no embroidery module Pfaff 2036 Babylock Molly Bernina 1200DA serger
Vintage Joan Intermediate ON CANADA Member since 2007 Posts: 7969	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/26/12 5:34 PM Thanks, everyone!! These replies are all very helpful. I suppose I could ask her, "Is it washable, just in case I spill coffee on it or something?" so that it doesn't come off sounding like I'm dissing it, or her. I may need to stop posting things about this friend at some point, lol... she's an enthusiastic "returning" sewer, so it's only a matter of time before she finds her way over here. -- Edited on 1/26/12 5:35 PM -- ------ my shield and my very great reward (Gen. 15:1) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Image: Berthe Morisot, Young Woman Leaning on Her Elbows, 1894
Canadian Jane Advanced Beginner AB CANADA Member since 2010 Posts: 584	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/26/12 8:51 PM I would ask her if it is washable - if it is, try the vinegar. If that doesn't work I believe Norwex makes a product that helps get smells out of things. If you can't wash it - maybe get it dry cleaned. My Mom was a mega-powerhouse smoker. When she died I took a blanket she had that reminded me of our last visit together. I had to wash it about 10 times before the smell left. Never did try the vinegar though or the Norwex.
gramma b Advanced USA Member since 2008 Posts: 1418	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/27/12 7:24 AM Does this work for musty fabrics too? I often find gramma stashes at garage/antique sales, fun vintage fabrics that have been stored a long time.
no7262 Beginner NJ USA Member since 2009 Posts: 1270	Login to reply to this post In reply to gramma b Like this post Date: 1/27/12 11:54 AM It also works on musty smells. Did you ever leave the wash in the washer a little too long in the summer? Just do a rinse with white vinegar it removes the smell Works like a charm! Nora :) ------ Nora :)
Learn To Sew   Advanced Beginner WA USA Member since 2005 Posts: 5247	Login to reply to this post In reply to gramma b Like this post Date: 1/27/12 12:46 PM I find quilting fabrics at garage sales now and then and they have that "stored a long time" smell to them. Never thought about vinegar in the washer and many washes. ------ I enjoy quilting as it calms my mind Bernina 630 / no embroidery module Pfaff 2036 Babylock Molly Bernina 1200DA serger

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