How Do You Get Rid of Smoke Stain and Odor?

Removal of smoke and the residue from clothing is very difficult. Smoke contains large amounts of soot (carbon). One it become deeply imbedded in fabrics it is almost impossible to remove. The success of removal will often be determined by the type of fiber, how hot it was, the type of burning materials, and the residue it left.

The odor residue is often more difficult to remove than the stain. Fabric may actually be scorched even though it does not give that appearance, and it may contain smoke impurities deeply imbedded in the fabric.

Cleaners with a specialty in smoke damaged clothing have a special ozone process for removing smoke odors. However, it is expensive.

Washing in hot water and detergent should remove some of the residue and odor. A warm dryer will also help.

For persistent odors, place calcium carbonate crystals (chalk or chalk powder), activated charcoal, or soda in an open container and store with clothes or sprinkle soda directly on fabric and let stand; then shake or vacuum.

A home product that may work is Febreze, a new spray from Procter & Gamble that is designed to permanently remove garment odors, such as cigarette smoke or pet odors without washing or dry cleaning. P&G also recommends Febreze for household fabrics such as draperies, upholstery, and carpeting.

No endorsement of companies or their products mentioned is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar companies or their products not mentioned.

Submitted by Sharon Stevens, HES Extension, College of Human Environmental Sciences,
University of Missouri-Columbia