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Is it even possible? (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 1/26/12 2:26 PM ET
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.
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Is there anything that might help? I don't know if the quilt is washable -- it seemed a bit rude to ask.
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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
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
Posted on: 1/26/12 2:46 PM ET
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.
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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.
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Elaina
SewDucky.com
334.5 yards in stash...and still counting >.<
SewDucky.com
334.5 yards in stash...and still counting >.<
Posted on: 1/26/12 3:39 PM ET
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.
Posted on: 1/26/12 3:46 PM ET
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.
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If it has never been washed before and has cotton batting, it will get that antiqued crinkle look.
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Elizabeth
Posted on: 1/26/12 4:19 PM ET
In reply to Vintage Joan
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 --
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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 --
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Currently working on a boys quilt. Sized 40 x 40 inches. It has chickens, chicken eggs, cows, fish, sea life, afield with water, Dachshunds, mini sailboats, and many colorful other fabrics. The blocks are a 4 x 4 finished size, so many of them are needed.
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.
Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.
Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
Posted on: 1/26/12 5:34 PM ET
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 --
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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 --
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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
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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
People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be, not what you nag them to be. ~ Scudder N. Parker
Posted on: 1/26/12 8:51 PM ET
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.
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.
Posted on: 1/27/12 7:24 AM ET
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.
I often find gramma stashes at garage/antique sales, fun vintage
fabrics that have been stored a long time.
Posted on: 1/27/12 11:54 AM ET
In reply to gramma b
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 :)
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Nora :)
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Nora :)
Posted on: 1/27/12 12:46 PM ET
In reply to gramma b
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.
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Currently working on a boys quilt. Sized 40 x 40 inches. It has chickens, chicken eggs, cows, fish, sea life, afield with water, Dachshunds, mini sailboats, and many colorful other fabrics. The blocks are a 4 x 4 finished size, so many of them are needed.
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.
Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
This my 4th quilt in 7 months.
Bernina 630, Bernina embroidery module, Pfaff 2036, Bernina 1200DA serger, Unique Sewing Cabinet 450L
Gardening info: zone 8 standard map and zone 6 Sunset map
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