hive mind: getting cigarette smoke out of fabric

[anotheranon]

Yes, my friends, a fabric questions I can't answer:

My sister is starting the ginormous task of washing my mom's clothes and linens to get the cig stink out. So far she's tried 2 washes with baking soda-based laundry detergent and drying with a scented dryer sheet. Neither of us had any reason to doubt that this would work, but the smell is still there. Even her stuff that got mixed in with Mom's now smells :(

I've found a few online references (http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/laundry/msg0715272815935.html?4, http://ask.yahoo.com/20021212.html, http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/odor-removal/how-to-get-rid-of-cigarette-smoke-smell) and while I'm still researching, I have a few questions:

1) most of the recommendations I've read for removing tobacco smoke from fabrics involve phospate based detergents, vinegar, and/or ammonia. This is great for whites, but will this affect dyed fabrics?

2) my mom is very wash and wear so most of her clothing (as well as linens) are cottons and cotton-poly blends. What about the odd wool or silk items?

3) Is it hopeless to expect that the oversized items we took to the dry cleaners will be in similar shape, and if so, how do you remove the smell from something too large to wash in a home washer/dryer set?

4) Any further recommendations?

This really is one venue where I'm stumped, folks.

Comments

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Well, I can't vouch how well it works on smoke, but vinegar in the first rinse is pretty harmless to colored fabrics. (like normal ones, not hand-dyed stuff).

I use it when my faire stuff is really nasty, and also it's good to throw in the first rinse of things like towels because it removes any buildup of detergent and/or fabric softeners than can make towels less absorbent.

I use a cup or so in the first rinse cycle.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Glad to know that vinegar won't affect dyes, because it's starting to look like the main part of the anti-stink arsenal. Thanks for sending this :)

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

I used vinegar in two of my loads tonight - once of "blank" white clothing I intend to dye, and one of a raw silk comforter and towels - to take some of the gook off.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I haven't had any problems using white vinegar with colored fabrics. It *does* work at getting the smell out, though.

Most silks can be hand washed, or washed on the gentle cycle. Wool should be dry cleaned, especially if it's tailored, like a suit or lined trousers.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Is there any special washing or treatment that is smoke-specific that we should be asking for at the cleaner?

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Um...maybe contact a place that specializes in fire restoration and ask where they send textile items?

[ragdoll.livejournal.com]

When my mom was a heavy smoker, only Febreze would work to get the stink out of my clothes, esp when I was trapped in a car with her for hours on end. Get the heavy duty stuff and spray liberally. It helps a lot, and it doesn't come back.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I had been afraid that Febreze would be dangerous to her cats, but turns out that's an urban legend (http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/febreze.asp).

And thanks for reminding me me - her car is going to need to be deodorized too!

[ragdoll.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear that. We don't have pets so I couldn't swear to it although my former cat had no issue with it when I used it after going out to clubs with the ex.

I think they make Febreze for cars too.

[tommdroid.livejournal.com]

Yes, my friends, a fabric questions I can't answer

*GASP!*

I put the clothes outside, hanging under the roof of the terrass, for a day or two...or a week i necessary, and it usually does the trick. The more windy the weather, the less time required.

But that is only clothes and fabric occasionally exposed to smoke, not items from a heavy smokers home. Paper, like in books, is even worse. I bought a book from a second hand book shop once, and the stink was so bad I only made it half through it....

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

There are some things that we're putting on the back burner - I think the books are among them, sadly :(

We ARE trying the airing out method on the house in general though - spring is about 2 weeks ahead and we opened up the windows for a few hours while I was there.

[kat1392.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, airing things out is probably the best way. Clothes, house, car, etc. It does take awhile that way though. Another thing you might want to try is finding out what hotels use for their smoking rooms.