smoke smell on scraps
 

Does anyone know a way to get smoke smell out of fabric without washing it? I have some scraps of fabric that are too small to wash easily.
Thanks for any suggestions.

Put them in a plastic bag with a bar of either Dial or Safeguard deodorant soap. It may take a couple of weeks or more but I guarantee it works.

putting them out in the sunshine- turning them every so often- fresh air & sunshine will certainly help- baking soda in a bag with them will also absorb the smell- may take a little time- i would use a brown paper sack- not plastic
will get rid of enough to make them usable- then you can wash the finished item and remove the smoke residue. smoke tends to be oily- a good washing will be necessary but you can diminish the smell enough to work with them

You could put them in a container with some newspaper and activated charcoal. Also, there is a product called "Gonzo" that I got from Bed Bath and Beyond. It's on Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Volcanic-Odor-...ef=pd_sim_hg_5 It seems kind of costly initially, but you put it out in the sun for a few hours to reactivate it repeatedly.

A lingerie bag for washing delicates might be your best bet. Maybe add a little vinegar to the wash.

If you put the fabric in the sun it might fade.

You can put them in a plastic bag along with some Odor Eaters brand shoe insoles -- the ones that contain charcoal. It might take 2 weeks, but it will work.

Thank you for the suggestions.
I have some of the 4" scraps toasting in the sun on the deck right now. I don't want to wait until I have sewn them into a quilt since many of the pieces are just going into my stash. I can't put them in with the rest of my fabric since I am afraid everything will end up smelling like smoke.
i am welcome to more ideas and I will keep you posted if I find a solution.

For the larger pieces, you can soak them in a basin of warm water and mild detergent, then just gently lift, rinse, air dry. More or less wash them, as you would a piece of delicate lace.

What about a lingerie bag? You could put the scraps in a lingerie bag and toss it in the wash, then dry them in the sun.

I don't think you want cotton fabrics toasting in the sun! Direct sunlight fades the dyes really fast. It is enough to air them out in the shade.

Same reply as always--------Oxy-Clean, Oxy-Clean, Oxy-Clean, Oxy-Clean, Oxy-Clean, Oxy-Clean,

try puuting them in a bag in the freezer for a couple of days

Ok
Here is a funny story to go with your funny picture:
My husband just came running in saying" it is raining fabric (darndest thing) "
My hubby, daughter, and I just gathered them all from the yard. My daughter had to fish 3 squares out of the pool with the net and clean one out of the filter!
I think the smell is gone, though.

[QUOTE=sew4nin;5343682]Ok
Here is a funny story to go with your funny picture:
My husband just came running in saying" it is raining fabric (darndest thing) "
My hubby, daughter, and I just gathered them all from the yard. My daughter had to fish 3 squares out of the pool with the net and clean one out of the filter!
I think the smell is gone, though.[/QUOTE
I never would have suggested a dip in the pool but at least the smell is gone. Rinse out the pool chemicals and dry them and they should be good to go.:D

smoke smell on scraps
 

You might try spraying them with Fabreze -- while this is not a commercial -- the stuff really does work. Another thing that may work: Soak some cotton balls in PURE vanilla, put in a lingerie bag and tumble in the dryer!

Vanilla (the pure stuff) is pretty good in getting rid of odors!

Jeanette Frantz

Maybe you could spray them with a little Fabreze. If that doesn't work, I have tied them up in a pillow case and laundered. You'll have to iron. But, at least they will smell good.

One can wash small scraps - it's not THAT big of a deal to do so -

Depends on how badly you want to keep them and how much the smoke smell bothers you - - -

Wash them in a basin or sink
Drain
Rinse
Drain
Rinse
Drain
Air dry - either on a rack or spread them out on a towel
They will probably need to be pressed

Not that much harder than washing pantyhose in the sink.

I am happy to report that my fabric smells fresh now. I am not sure if it was the sun or the fresh air, but the smell is gone. I even ironed a few pieces and still couldn't smell anything. I think it might have been the fresh air, because everything I left under the gazebo (shade) smells fine too. It almost seems too easy.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.

get you a couple of lingerie bags from the dollar store to put your squares in next time. at 4" you can surely wash those in a lingerie bag, no squeezing and set them outside to dry. if it was cigarette smoke there will still be a residue on the fabric even though you can no longer smell the smoke.

I am often donated scraps of fabric and I wash it all using one of those netted bags. This way it's not a problem doing so especially if pieces are on the smaller side.