The smell of cigarettes can be unpleasant to be around, and even more displeasing when it clings to your clothing long after the smoke has cleared. Many people — whether they smoke themselves or are simply around smokers — find themselves desperately seeking how to get the cigarette smell out of clothes.
The good news is that this stubborn odor isn’t permanent. All it takes is the right techniques to break down and remove the lingering particles. This guide will teach you how to remove lingering cigarette smells from your clothes and offer practical guidance to prevent this issue in the future.
Why Do My Clothes Smell Like Cigarettes?
Have you ever taken a smoke break or been near someone smoking a cigarette, only to walk away and realize the smell has clung to your clothes? This commonly happens because the particles released in the air from cigarette smoke can settle and permeate into fabric and other porous surfaces.
Depending on the level of exposure, cigarette smoke can linger on clothing for between days or weeks when left unwashed. More porous natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, are more likely to absorb bothersome smells than synthetic materials. Thoroughly cleaning smelly clothes with the appropriate cleaners ASAP can prevent odors from remaining embedded in their fibers.
How to Remove Cigarette Smell from Clothes
Getting rid of cigarette smell on clothes is easier than you may think. You likely have most, if not all, the supplies you need in your kitchen and laundry room. Before following these four methods, it’s a good idea to air out your pungent clothing for an extended period and shake off any visible soot or residue. Once you’ve completed that initial step, choose the cleaning method that best meets the level of care your garment needs based on its care instructions.
Baking Soda Soaks
Baking soda is a popular deodorizing household ingredient that helps neutralize acidic odor molecules and absorb lingering smells. Soaking smelly clothes in a bathtub or basin overnight with a cup of baking soda before washing with laundry detergent on a normal cycle is an easy way to remove smoke odors from fabric. Follow this by rinsing the clothes with cold water and repeating the process if the smell persists. Alternatively, you can throw a cup of baking soda in the washing machine with a load of cigarette-smelling clothes on a normal wash cycle for a deodorizing effect.
Vinegar Rinses
Vinegar is another effective deodorizing method. Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle and mist the fabric evenly. Allow your clothes to air dry before remisting them with vinegar spray or tossing them in a washing machine. You may need to run additional rinse cycles with warm water to fully remove any lingering vinegar smells.
Laundry Scent Boosters
Laundry scent boosters are designed to enhance the freshness of your clothes by releasing long-lasting fragrance throughout the wash cycle. Pairing a scent booster with your regular detergent can effectively deodorize your clothing, replacing the smell of smoke with more pleasant scents.
Odor-Eliminating Sprays
Fabric deodorizer sprays are an additional store-bought method for addressing smoke odors. Instead of using them in the washing machine like scent boosters, these sprays are intended to be applied directly to the fabric until it is slightly damp, and then left to air dry.
These sprays can be ideal for pieces that are dry-clean only or cannot be put in a washing machine. When choosing an odor-eliminating spray, ensure you select one with deodorizing ingredients that fight odors rather than masking them.
Tips for Preventing or Limiting Cigarette Smell
The most effective way to handle cigarette odors is to prevent them from developing in the first place. By building a few simple habits into your routine, you can dramatically reduce the amount of smoke that settles on your clothing.
Maintain Smoke-Free Areas
Keeping areas in the places you normally hang out free of smoke helps keep airborne particles from embedding themselves in fabrics, which greatly reduces the amount of odor your clothing absorbs. By keeping certain areas off-limits for smoking, you create cleaner spaces where your clothes aren’t exposed to lingering smoke. This simple boundary makes it much easier to keep your wardrobe fresh and odor-free.
Smoke in Ventilated Areas
When you choose to smoke a cigarette, do so in a well-ventilated location. The best way to achieve this is to only smoke outside, where the airflow can help remove the cigarette smell from clothes and other porous surfaces before it settles.
Launder Clothing Regularly
Cigarette smell is more likely to remain on clothing that is not washed right after exposure to smoke. Regularly doing laundry helps prevent odor particles from settling deeper into the fabric, making them much easier to remove. Staying consistent with wash routines keeps both everyday garments and occasional-use items smelling clean and fresh.
Choose Smoke-Free Alternatives
For adults who still want to take part in the satisfaction of nicotine without drawing attention or producing smoke, nicotine pouches can offer an enjoyable alternative. These pouches come in a variety of flavors and strengths, allowing you to choose the intensity of your experience. FRE pouches are a tobacco-leaf-free, smokeless option that offers more discretion than cigarettes and can be taken on the go in handy tins. You can find FRE pouches in stores or order online in most states and counties.
Try FRE Pouches for a Smokeless Experience
If you are a nicotine user who dislikes the lingering smell of cigarette odor, you’re not alone. Today, FRE offers a new way for adults to enjoy nicotine that’s easy and discreet to use.
FRE is 100% smoke-free — which means no residue or odor. You just get simple, controlled satisfaction. Experience a modern way to enjoy nicotine that won’t cling to your clothes or your lifestyle. Shop FRE online or find a retailer near you today.
