Removing Smoke Odor From Textiles PDF Print E-mail

Smoke odor may remain in clothing, upholstered furniture, carpets and draperies unless they are properly deodorized before cleaning.  Professional assistance is recommended.  Consult professional fire restorers and/or dry cleaners about using "counteractants," chemicals or additives that break up smoke molecules to eliminate odors. The type of counteractant used will vary with the type of material burned in the fire. Counteractants may be professionally applied to furniture, carpets and draperies.

Restorers also may provide them for laundering clothes.  Fire restorers and dry cleaners sometimes use an ozone treatment to break up smoke molecules and eliminate odors. If the process is done in the home, items are put under a tent while an ozone generator is operating. 

Keep in mind that most household deodorizing sprays and disinfectants provide only temporary relief. In addition, deodorizing sprays may interact with smoke odor and create an additional odor.  If you are unable to have clothing or similar textiles professionally treated, try one of the following methods: 

Dissolve one cup of dishwashing detergent—the type used in an
automatic dishwasher—in one gallon of warm water.
Completely submerge the items and let them soak all night in
your washing machine or bathtub. Drain and launder as usual
the next day.
 
For items that can be bleached, mix 4 to 6 tablespoons
trisodium phosphate (available from your hardware store) with
1 cup Lysol or household chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of
water. Add clothes, rinse with clear water and dry.