bunbytes

A friend of mine lost her house to a fire (neighbor's fire works) and they lost almost everything. The few items, including a piece or two of furniture wreaked of smoke. They rented an ozone machine and placed it and the smelly items in a sealed room. Worked like a charm. If you still have that smell after washing, perhaps you can find a company that does this on small items. I doubt it would be very costly.

jaciqltznok

if it has been stored in plastic, and smells of cigarette smoke, it is NOT perfect...there is damage you can not see with the naked eye, but it is there!

Check out this site! http://www.quilthistory.com/
But fresh air and sunlight are the best and easiest way to remove the odors. Just lie outside with a sheet over the top to keep the sun off of it!

Outta My Gourd

I have successfully removed cigarette odor from fabric with Febreeze and ammonia. My father in law was a heavy smoker and every time we visited our hair and clothing just reeked, ick! He also had a log home and Febreeze removed 20 years of cigarette odor from the very porous walls.

With Febreeze, I hung my quilt from the clothesline and sprayed both sides then let it air for several hours. A second application may be necessary. I haven't had any troubel with Febreeze staining or discoloring anything, but you might wish to test it on a small section before doign the entire quilt.

The other method that's been successful is to throw a half cup of ammonia into the washing machine with the fabric. I'd be terrified to try this on an antique quilt, but for fabric I get at yard sales (and have not yet formed a personal attachment) this works. This also works if your husband and sons went fishing and wiped their stinky hands on their jeans.

Best of luck!

CarrieC

I've had some luck with curtains in this condition. I washed them with white vinegar, rinsed them with vinegar and then hung them up with air circulating. I repeated this several times until I was satisfied - PS after I got rid of the nicotine I washed them with soap and water like normal to get rid of the vinegar smell.

kelsunshine

If you put it in the dryer without washing first I would suggest using an air/fluff setting only not heat.

Caryn

if it is in very good condition then there is nothing wrong with putting quilt in washing machine with a little oxyclean...let it soak for about thirty minutes, spin and drain. then run normal wash cycle with no detergent and then when finished put it in the clothes dryer unless you are afraid of it shrinking badly. i make and sell quilts and most of what i make have alot of handwork etc... before the quilt is sold, i do a good wash and dry of the quilt-it is like a final test to see if what i produce will hold up. i do use a color catcher in the wash load just in case of colors running. this should take out cigarette/cigar smoke smell as well as discoloration from the smoke...also, do not ever store a quilt in plastic...use a cotton pillowcase or two and refold quilt every now and then.

GlitzyMe

My mother had a Bates George Washington bedspread that had never been used. It was in the original box wrapped in tissue paper for over 40 years. She gave it to me (still in the box) a couple years ago and when I opened it, the tobacco stench was horrible. Into the front loading washer it went with detergent. I put it thru one complete cycle then started the washer again and added a hefty dose of white vinegar. Twice. Then I washed it again with detergent and dried it. Finally got the smell out. I did not put it in the dryer until I couldn't detect any odor at all when it was wet. I had the thought that if I dried it before I was sure, the odor would be locked in. I had asked her for this bedspread back in the early 70s but she was one of those people who had to 'own' even tho they don't take care of things. It's lovely now and takes it's turn on our bed.

lakekids

Here is another tip. I tried this with a suitcase that my athlete daughter used when she was gone to a week long vollebyall camp. Needless to say all sweaty gym clothes were thrown in the suitcase and then she did not immediately unpack an wash when she came home. So the suitcase had a funky gym oder. I took a clean wash cloth and soaked it in Febreze and place in the suit case and closed it. When I opened the suitcase to use a few weeks later, it smell fresh.

You could try something like this by placing the quilt and a wash cloth soaked in febreze into a basket or box and see what happens. I probably wouldn't put it in a container that is air tight (rubbermaid or zip lock bag) because the dampness on from the Febreze might develop into mildew.

helenquilt

Sending a quilt to the dry cleaners is saying goodby. They always have and excuse why it disappeared.

collady

Don't ever dry clean a quilt! The chemicals that are used in dry cleaning may not be totally removed, and they can damage the fabrics over time. Also once something has been dry cleaned, it should not be home washed. Just wash it with your regular detergent and white vinegar. I have a quilt that is over 100 years old and washed it that way years ago. It survived.