How To Get Smoke Smells Out of Clothes Without Washing
While a spritz of vodka doesn’t compare to a full wash or soak, it’s helpful if you need to get smoke smells out of fabric that can’t be washed, while you’re on the go, or as a quick fix before resorting to the above methods.
This trick is an old standby for quickly getting odors out of items that need to retain their structure, such as hats, bags, upholstery, or costumes, and it’s safe on colorfast silk, woolens, cotton, and synthetics.
Because vodka typically contains about 40% ethyl alcohol, it can help lift smoke particles from fabrics to be evaporated with the alcohol. It can also kill odor-causing bacteria from sweat or body oils, similar to isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Vodka evaporates quickly, so items are not saturated with liquid for more than a few minutes.
Although vodka has an odor when first applied, it dissipates as it dries and won’t leave you smelling like a martini. It works particularly well on natural fibers like silk, but synthetics may require several applications.
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Method:
- Pour some vodka into a spray bottle and spritz the affected item to about 40% saturation. The fabric should feel slightly damp to the touch, not soaking wet.
- Let it dry, and repeat if necessary.
This article was edited by Katie Okamoto and Megan Beauchamp.
