Thread: Quilt Cleaning Cigarette Smoke Odor -- NEED ADVICE!!!

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

Originally Posted by irishrose

Use 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.

Originally Posted by irishrose

Use 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.

Maybe wait until it is a little warmer out and you can hang it to dry on a line in the shade. We get shade part of the afternoon and I hang my quilts out then and let them flop in the breeze - they smell so good too. Edie

is it too fragile to wash?
i would wash it in the washer- with detergent and white vinegar-
if you want to dry it laying flat---fresh air would not hurt! one of the recommended ways it to lay out a sheet on the lawn- place the quilt on the sheet-then place another sheet over the top of it- to protect it from birds ect
after a while go out & check it- turn it over-
i actually use my hammock= which is a large double one- that way the air flows under & over it- but laying on the lawn- or deck= what ever is doable too- the fresh air certainly makes them nice
vinegar is good for removing odors & softening- mild detergent to help remove the (oily nicotine residue) in the fibers. it is generally not recommended to dry clean them- and often if you take them to a cleaners they do not dry clean them-since they are cotton- they toss them into a large industrial washer- then a dryer- and charge you for cleaning.

You can cover up the odor but it will never leave the fabric. It will get less noticeable if aired for a long time hanging outside so the wind can go through it.

Vanilla may work. I know if you add vanilla to paint the paint smell isn't very strong while you are painting.