Quilt Cleaning Cigarette Smoke Odor -- NEED ADVICE!!!
04-29-2012, 06:48 PM
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,535
I would try airing it for a while first. In the garage if you have a nice one. If not you could put it out on the clothesline on a nice day and if you are worried about the sun, put a clean white sheet over it.
04-29-2012, 07:41 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 357
I wonder if Simple Green would work. I know it works on getting skunk smell off dogs and coats,and it can't be any more harsh than oxyclean or vinegar. It usually takes two washings to get the smell out. Good luck and let us know what does work for you. There is nothing worse than cigerette smoke, except maybe skunk smell. LOL
04-29-2012, 08:14 PM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,812
If nothing suggested here on the Board helps, have you thought about contacting Servicemaster? A phone call may put you in touch with a product and/or procedure that is delicate enough for your quilt. Servicemaster has disaster restoration services for fires, etc. Maybe they could suggest something. Good luck. For me, there isn't much worse than cigarette smoke in fabrics. I can't be anywhere near anything that has cigarette smoke on it. Need an inhaler pronto.
04-29-2012, 10:18 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Allen Park, MI
Posts: 408
I've found that a trip through the washing machine with your regular detergent usually does the trick very nicely. Alos, Febreze has a laundy additive - I've not used it on a quilt - but it gets the stink out of men's work and boy's gym socks very well. LOL. You don't add much so I wouldn't be too worried about it hurting the quilt - maybe an extra rinse if you are.
04-30-2012, 01:42 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Queensland, Australia
Posts: 684
I had a brilliant tip from a fellow quilter. I smoked until recently, and all my quilts stank!!! Add Bi-Carb Soda to the wash, it really does get rid of the odour. Otherwise follow the tip below that I replied on 
Good Luck
Good LuckUse your regular detergent and wash it on delicate. Turn the washer off and let it soak for a while before it agitates. You may want drain off that water and wash it in fresh water if the smell is really bad. I'd be careful of too many additives, though some white vinegar might be okay. I would spin it on normal to remove as much water as possible, then dry it in the dryer until damp, then lay it out. I wash a 50 year old quilt totally handmade that way.
04-30-2012, 06:02 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
My mother gave me a hand-made quilt 15 years ago. It has been stored in plastic and is in excellent condition except that it has a heavy nicotine/cigarette smell.
I need to decide between airing it out, machine washing cold on delicate cycle, hand washing in cold water with mild detergent and then laying it out on towels or blankets, or taking it to a dry cleaner.
I'm afraid to lay it out in the sun in case that might damage it. And I do not know if dry cleaners would care for it properly or be able to get the smell out.
Thanks in advance for any advice or help you can offer.
I need to decide between airing it out, machine washing cold on delicate cycle, hand washing in cold water with mild detergent and then laying it out on towels or blankets, or taking it to a dry cleaner.
I'm afraid to lay it out in the sun in case that might damage it. And I do not know if dry cleaners would care for it properly or be able to get the smell out.
Thanks in advance for any advice or help you can offer.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ThayerRags
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
20
09-01-2014 01:06 PM
CircleSquare
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
8
06-10-2011 12:44 PM
kay carlson
Main
29
08-17-2009 10:03 AM
