Start by washing with hot water. Add vinegar or baking soda if that doesn’t eradicate the campfire smell. We’ve laid out 7 ways to remove the campfire smell out of clothes. Read on to find out.
Camping can be a world of adventures, but it’s never complete without some good, old campfire: the warmth, crackling flames, jokes with friends and family, and the smell of burning wood help create lasting memories. The annoying part comes later when you have to remove the smoke odor from your clothing. These odors can persist even after you’ve washed the clothes. This article will show you how to remove the campfire smell from clothes.
How To Get Campfire Smell Out Of Clothes
Method 1: Wash With Hot Water
The common practice with most campers is that they simply throw their dirty clothes in the washing machine. If you’re one of the many people who do this, you can testify that it rarely gets the job done. Your washing machine can remove campfire smells effectively if you use hot water and detergent to wash it. A more effective method is to soak your clothes in hot water and detergent for some hours (or till the water gets cold) and then wash. Hot Water thoroughly penetrates the fabric and removes any stench lingering in it.
Note: See the manufacturer’s guide to know if your cloth wouldn’t shrink with hot water.
Method 2: Add One Cup Of Vinegar
If your garments aren’t compatible with hot water, adding vinegar will help. Here are the steps involved:
- Step 1: Mix one full cup of vinegar with enough detergent
- Step 2: Add some warm water
- Step 3: Put your clothes in the mixture
- Step 4: Soak for one or two hours
- Step 5: Wash by hand
- Step 6: Transfer to a washer for a regular wash (don’t use vinegar this time)
If you follow these procedures, the smokey smell should be gone afterward. The vinegar contains acetic acid and breaks down odors that detergents alone can’t.
Method 3: Add Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is another chemical known for its cleaning and odor-removing prowess. You can use it to remove campfire odor from your clothes. Here are the two techniques to go about it:
First Technique
Step 1: Get a cup of baking soda.
Step 2: Mix with detergent and water in a bath or bucket.
Step 3: Soak your clothes in it.
Step 4: Wash after an hour or two.
Second Technique
Step 1: Get a big plastic bag to contain all the affected clothes.
Step 2: Add a cup or two of baking soda.
Step 3: Put your clothes inside
Step 4: Shake the bag thoroughly, and ensure the baking soda touches every cloth.
Step 5: Leave it overnight.
Step 6: Wash and dry the following morning.
Note: Due to baking soda’s high pH, never use it on woolen or silk fabrics.
Method 4: Use Odor-removing Sprays/Liquids
There are many odor-removing sprays out there. Purchase any of the common brands and spray onto on your clothes. Then wash and dry. To make a DIY odor-removing spray at home, here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Get some water, vinegar, essential oil, and a spray bottle
Step 2: Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar into the spray bottle
Step 3: Add essential oil and mix well
Step 4: Use this to spray your cloth thoroughly
Note: For better results, wash with warm water after spraying.
Method 5: Use Enzyme Cleaners
These multipurpose cleaners aren’t just good for removing stains but also for eradicating odors. They can put up a good fight against stubborn campfire smells. You’ll need two things for this method – hot water and an enzyme cleaner. Here’s what to do next:
Step 1: Mix the hot water and enzyme cleaner thoroughly.
Step 2: Soak your clothes in the mixture for about 2 hours.
Step 3: Remove, rinse and dry.
Method 6: Use Alcohol To Remove Campfire Smell
If you can’t access pure alcohol (ethanol), you can use liquor, vodka, or spirits. Once you have your alcohol ready, take the following steps:
Step 1: Prepare a pot of hot or warm water.
Step 2: Mix the alcohol and water in a ratio of 4:1.
Step 3: Soak your garments for one or two hours in the mixture.
Step 4: Rinse and sundry.
Note: Wash them with detergent before drying if your clothes emit a liquor smell after rinsing.
Method 7: Use Lemon Juice
Using lemon juice is a cheap method to remove the campfire smell from your clothes. The citric acid found in lemon juice effectively eliminates unwanted scents. You’ll need hot water, a spray bottle, and some lemons (about 2 or 3) for this method. Here are the steps involved:
Step 1: Squeeze the lemon into the spray bottle.
Step 2: Add warm water and shake.
Step 3: Spray your clothes with it.
Step 4: Dry the clothes in the sun afterward.
Note: This method should only come as a secondary measure after you must have tried removing the campfire smell without success by washing.
FAQs About Removing Campfire Smell Out of Clothes
How long does the scent of a campfire linger on your clothes?
The scent of a campfire might linger on your clothes for 3-4 hours. However, if left untreated, it might last for several days.
How Do You Get The Smell Of A Campfire Out Of Your Hair?
Mix one part baking soda with three parts water to make a paste. In a hot shower, massage it into damp hair. Allow 3 minutes for it to work, then rinse it away. Your hair should be free of campfire smell.
What Causes The Smoke Smell In My Clothes?
The odor of a campfire tends to linger on clothes even after the fire has died out because microscopic smoke particles would have entered and stuck to them until they are properly removed.
