If you’ve been to a bonfire recently, you’ll know how difficult it can be to get the smell of smoke out of your clothes. Luckily, an expert has shared a simple hack to help
Autumn and winter are the ideal times for a bonfire. However, if you’ve ever spent an evening by the fire, you’ll know how challenging it can be to get rid of the smell of smoke from your clothes.
This odour can be incredibly stubborn and hard to eliminate. Fortunately, it’s not impossible, but you do need a few expert tips to assist you.
Heather Nixon, Bio-D’s sustainability and regulatory manager, has revealed her top tips for removing the smoke smell from clothing – and the first one is vital.
If you have a piece of clothing that stinks of wood smoke, the most crucial thing is to wash it separately from your other garments.
This will prevent cross-contamination with other items, and also allows for a more thorough wash to really remove the odour, reports the Express.
Clothes with a smoky smell should also be washed at a higher temperature.
Heather advised: “I’d typically recommend choosing a warmer washing machine cycle – if safe according to your item’s care label.
“Choosing a warmer temperature when washing can help loosen the smoke particles that have attached onto the material fibres and more effectively remove the lingering smell.”
If you have a scented laundry detergent, this can also be beneficial. Certain fragrances have neutralising properties.
Heather added: “I’d also recommend using a fragranced laundry liquid and fabric conditioner if possible.
Products fragranced with lavender oil for example, which have natural odour neutralising qualities.”
Heather also suggests drying smoky items outdoors if possible.
She advised: “Air-drying clothes that smell of smoke after washing can help to lift any remaining odours.
“Choose a dry but breezy day to help speed up the drying process whilst removing the smell of smoke.”