How to Get Smell Out of Clothes

Updated on June 11, 2009
S.G. asks from Lakeland, FL
19 answers

My freind gave me 3 bags of clothes for my son.Clothes is in perfect condition.Okay here is the problem. I cant get the smell of cigarate smoke out of the clothes. I have washed them 3x and used oxy detergent did not work.Does any one have any tips on how i can get the smell out?

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So What Happened?

I washed the clothes and hang them outside for a whole day, then washed them again and the smell came out. Thanks everyone for your advice

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D.D.

answers from Punta Gorda on

Put oxyclean in the washer let it fill up with warm water and the clothes and let it sit overnight. Wash in the morning. Good luck.

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M.C.

answers from Tampa on

The sun is an amazing fumigation tool. Try hanging them outside for the day.

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R.K.

answers from Tampa on

Hey I started shopping at this wellness company a year ago and have gone non-toxic and safe with their exclusive brand. So if you want to know what I learned, and it shocked me... I am all too happy to share that info with any concerned Moms. Plus if you are paying for cleaners would you want them to be safe for you and your family too? And they have this really great freshner that you can use in your laundry on your clothes, couch or carpet and it is Completely safe! I am not a sales person for them, I'm just a happy very loyal customer and they allow us to share our 40% discount too, if you want to try them yourself! Happy to help! ____@____.com

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T.D.

answers from Tampa on

Don't know for sure if this will work but it's worth a try...when the clothes are in the rinse cycle, add 1/2 cup of white vinigar. I use 1/4 cup as a fabric softner and it works great, very inexspensive too!

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B.S.

answers from Fort Myers on

baking soda! works great!

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R.W.

answers from Tampa on

For starters you should never dry clothes after washing them if they still stink. I am sure it's to late to tell you this but I can help with the smoke smell.
Put them in the washer, cold water will work, add your detergent, dawn dish soap and some vinegar/white/or apple cider will work. Let them soak for about 30 minutes. Then wash as normal. When your washer goes on rinse cycle add Snuggle or Downy to the water-a little more than you normall would. That should take care of the smell. If they still smell a little hang them outside. Fresh air can take the stink out of about anything.
My daughter used to stay overnight with a friend and come home with everything she took stinking like smoke and I never had a problem with getting the smell out.
Good Luck!

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T.B.

answers from Naples on

HI S., its funny you just wrote about this, because I just had a similar situation. We don't smoke, but we stayed with some friends out of town for a week and they smoke in their house. When we got back home, all of our clothes plus the kids clothes were engulfed with smoke. I did exactly what you did and used the oxy detergent plus other detergent. It didn't get it out at all. The second time, I used what a friend suggested called Wow Green, it's an all natural enzyme detergent and I have to say Wow, b/c all the smell came out and they have such a fresh sent. I love the stuff and now I am using it all the time. I would be happy to let you use it or send you some. -T.

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L.C.

answers from Tampa on

S.,

How frustrating. Here are my suggestions. Overall not much different from what has been posted.

1. Sunshine for 1 day- beware sun will fade colors
2. Rinse the clothes with vinegar- which is good neutralizer & natural fabric softner
3. Febreze- I think one of the national brands has it in the fabric softner (Downey?)- it would be on the label. Although I don't like Febreze- or the fact that companies don't have to list all of the ingredients it does work.

Keep us posted on what works & what doesn't

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E.M.

answers from Tampa on

you can try washing them with very hot water and put a cup or two of white vinger in with te clothes. good luck!!

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S.B.

answers from Tampa on

maybe add white vinigar to the wash

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G.M.

answers from Sarasota on

Try washing with one cup of white vinegar. Put outside in the sun.

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A.J.

answers from Tampa on

Try using vinegar instead of fabric softner. Vinegar takes all the soap and odors out of your clothing.

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R.

answers from Tampa on

I was thinking the same things the previous ladies posted. Here is an article that does suggest baking soda and even coffee grounds if necessary. Check it out. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/810047/how_to_ge...

Good luck!

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B.S.

answers from Tampa on

Very simple- wash with detergent and 2 cups of baking soda and when the rinse cycle hits, dump 2-3 cups of vinegar into the rinse water. Don't worry, your clothes will not smell like vinegar. Also try the blue Suavatel fabric softener. It's cheap but works great and smells awesome!

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K.G.

answers from Tampa on

Try soaking them in the washer with a few cups of vinegar in the water- that may do it!

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K.T.

answers from Tampa on

You may want to try soaking in Lemon Juice.

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A.T.

answers from Lakeland on

Try washing them with a little baking soda. A.

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G.F.

answers from Sarasota on

I've heard White Distilled Vinegar works but a strong solution like a 1/2 gal/2qts. to the whole filled wash basin. Agitate to mix then add clothes and let presoak 30 min spin dry and then wash as you would with your detergent.
Hope this helps! :)

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S.C.

answers from Tampa on

I have never tried this, but it seems logical. Maybe put a cup or two of lemon juice in the wash. In restaurants, chefs use lemmon juice to wash their hands after touching fish (my husband use to do it).

The only other alternative is tomatoe juice, but that wouldn't work! :-)

Good luck!

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