4 steps to get smoke smell out of clothes:

1. 1. Soak the smoky clothes in baking soda and water
2. 2. Machine-wash the clothes with enzyme-based laundry detergent
3. 3. Add a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle
4. 4. Air dry the clothes outside, ideally in direct sunlight

Whether you hang around a crowd of smokers or you’re the one puffing away, the smell of smoke can cling to your clothes like a desperate ex. Fabrics, especially natural fibers like silk, cotton, and wool, have tiny spaces between the fibers.

Smoke particles are small enough to squeeze into those spaces, and as a result, they stay trapped in the fabric for days or even weeks.

Smoke smell is stubborn, but with the right technique, you can easily eliminate the evidence of any smoke session. In this article, you’ll learn how to get smoke smell out of your clothes, whether the culprit is cigarettes, cigars, weed, or a campfire.

Pro tip: Always check the care label on your garment before trying any new cleaning methods.

How to Get Smoke Out of Clothes

Here are step-by-step instructions for getting that smoky odor out of your clothes, whether the source is cigarettes, cigars, or Mary Jane. The faster you act, the easier it’ll be to eliminate that stubborn smell.

1. Soak the Clothes in Baking Soda and Water

Before washing the clothes, you’ll want to pre-soak them in a solution of water and baking soda, which is excellent at naturally neutralizing odors.

Fill your sink or a large basin with one cup of baking soda and enough lukewarm water to submerge the clothes. Let your smoky clothes soak in this solution for at least an hour, but ideally overnight for the best results.

2. Machine-Wash the Clothes with Enzyme-Based Detergent

After the soak session, wash your garment in the washing machine with an enzyme-based laundry detergent pod. Using an enzyme-based formula is especially important when you want to get the smell of marijuana smoke out of your clothes since the enzymes break down the organic compounds responsible for odors.

Speaking of smells, don't settle for generic laundry detergent fragrances like “spring breeze” when you can infuse your clothes with luxury fragrances like Australian Sandalwood, Italian Bergamot, or Siberian Pine. 

Laundry Sauce doesn’t just eliminate odors—it elevates your entire wardrobe.

3. Add Vinegar During the Rinse Cycle

Once your washing machine’s rinse cycle begins, add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the washer drum. Let your clothes soak for about an hour in the vinegar and water solution before completing the wash cycle.

Vinegar’s acidity helps break down alkaline compounds in smoke residue. When smoke particles come into contact with vinegar, the acidic nature of vinegar neutralizes the odorous molecules, reducing their potency.

Don’t worry—your clothes won’t smell like vinegar. The solution is highly diluted, and your washing machine will rinse out any leftover residue.

4. Air Dry the Clothes

We recommend air-drying your clothes to get rid of smoke smells. The heat from your dryer can “bake” any lingering smoke molecules into the fibers of your garment. If possible, hang your clothes outside in direct sunlight to dry. The sun’s UV rays have natural disinfectant properties and can eliminate any lingering smoke smells.

If you’re in a hurry and have to use your dryer, opt for a low-heat or air-only setting.

Pro tip: add a dryer sheet to finish off with a touch of luxurious fragrance. Laundry Sauce has the best-smelling dryer sheets in the game, infused with sophisticated scents like Australian Sandalwood, Indonesian Patchouli, Egyptian Rose, and more.

How to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes Without Washing Them

Whether you’re in a hurry or just too lazy to do your laundry, here are a few ways to get smoke smell out of your clothes without actually washing them. Keep in mind that these tricks probably won’t be as effective as a thorough cleansing with water and laundry detergent—but they can work in a pinch.

1. Hang Them Outside: Let your clothes air out in a well-ventilated area outside. Fresh air and sunlight are nature’s best deodorizers.

2. Sprinkle Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda all over your smoky clothes. Let it work its magic while you catch some Z's. Shake off the powdery residue, and voila! Good as new.

3. Activated Charcoal: Place some activated charcoal in a container with your clothes. It might look like something out of a science experiment, but it can work wonders at sucking up those stubborn smoke smells.

4. Steam Treatment: Hang your clothes in a steamy bathroom for 15-30 minutes, then let them air dry. The steam can help loosen and lift the smoke odors from the fabric. Alternatively, you can use a portable clothes steamer.

5. Odor-Eliminating Sprays: Products like Febreze and other fabric refreshers are sort of like cologne or perfume for your clothes—they don’t eliminate the source of the odor, but they can mask them for a little while.

How Long Does It Take to Get Smoke Smell Out of Clothes?

If you use the baking soda and vinegar method, it usually takes one wash cycle to get smoke smell out of your clothes. However, depending on the intensity of the smoke smell and the type of fabric, you might need to repeat the process to completely neutralize the odor.

Get the Sauce to Get Rid of the Smoke

Let’s be honest: The lame scents from generic laundry detergents aren’t much of an upgrade from the smell of smoke. That neon blue goop might clean your clothes, but it leaves them smelling basic AF.

That’s why we created Laundry Sauce: the world’s best-smelling laundry detergent pods.

Each pod is concentrated with 4x more cleaning power than traditional liquid laundry detergent and enriched with bio-enzymes to tackle tough stains and musty odors. But we went a step further and infused them with sophisticated fragrances containing essential oils and highly renewable ingredients.

Whether you want to be transported to the Amalfi Coast or the Land Down Under, there’s a fragrance for you.