Jean45

I always felt that wherever there was cigarette/any kind of smoke smell, there is residue. Do I want to work with fabric with residue on it? I know, some of us don't wash new fabric and there is the sizing, etc but knowing there is smoke residue....I would rather not, but that is just my personal preference.

Wanabee Quiltin

I always use plain old charcoal, the kind for a BBQ. I had a basement flood once and everything smelled terrible afterward. We used about 3 big bags of charcoal sealed in the room for about 1 week and the odor came right out of the wood furniture. Put the fabric laying around the room and put the charcoal in there and seal up the room for a week or so, the odors should be gone.

IBQUILTIN

If you put it in bags, be sure to unfold everything and lay it in loosely. Otherwise you may not reach the center of the pieces. Try one of those new stick on Fabreeze pods stuck to the plastic bag. And good luck to you with it

onaemtnest

Totally with BellaBoo here... The tar has permeated the fibers and the only way to truly rid it of the smoke is washing. Unfortunately you've purchased in essence dirty fabric and it may take more than one wash to get the fabric cleaned, vinegar, oxy clean are going to be your best friends in your quest to get the fabric clean.

I still think you probably have gotten a GREAT deal but it's going to take effort on your part before you want to put it with your stash.

Our guild stopped accepting donations from smokers too.

bhanes

A friend of mine opens the fabric and hangs in a closet with open containers of vodka. She says it works great.

linda faye

Some wonderful advice already given you.

Hanging washed fabrics (or even perhaps unwashed?) on a clothes in the sunshine would help too. I am a believer in fresh air and sunshine.

Let us know how you fare with this challenge.

CAS49OR

Johnny Cat litter is supposed to work if you can store the fabric in a sealed box with it. Deactivated charcoal, baking soda, newspaper, etc. They are all supposed to work, but I've bought fabric at an estate sale that I regretted because it just would not get the odor out. The same with a whole box of crochet cotton I bought. Now, I'm going to sell it at my own yard sale!

I soak cloth in vinegar and baking soda mix with a drop of dish soap, then rinse and air dry.

I used my new washer to soak new charm packs and a layer cake, vinegar in the soak, then seperated each piece before I put it in the dryer. Hours of work, and ended up having to press 165 pieces of fabric. I will not buy charm packs again.

CAS49OR

I have read that you can spritz the fabric with Vodka too.

rexie

I have a friend that said she washes away odors with vinegar.

germanquilter

I think washing it all is probably your best bet but it might never come out completely. I never ever buy anything unless it comes from a smoke-free home (that includes cars and furniture); I have a very sensitive nose and smell smoke residue even after it has been cleaned.