Not long ago I posted requesting advice on finding a longarm quilter to complete a couple quilt tops. Among the advice I received was "make sure they are a non-smoker". I didn't follow that advice. Well, I got my quilts back today and even the carton they were in reeked of cigarette smoke. The quilting job is OK, DH says I'm too picky, but I'm not sure I'll use this lady again. Depends on how hard it is to get the smell out. If it ever stops raining, I'll hang them over the railing on the deck and let the sunshine do it's part. I'll have to keep looking! And asking questions next time.

Throwing them in the wash should take the smell out. I have to wash everything a family member sends us because of the smoke smell, and it always works.

Someone else on this board posted something about getting the smell out of fabric.

Should I remember correctly they used ammoniak. I don't know how or where you could buy it.

But many replied to it and they had success. May be it works for you.

Someone else on this board posted something about getting the smell out of fabric.

Should I remember correctly they used ammonia. I don't know how or where you could buy it.

But many replied to it and they had success. May be it works for you.

Here is the link
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-7493-1.htm

When heavy smoke is in the batting, hanging it over the fence most likely won't do the trick.

I inherited lots of fabric from a smoker. I washed in strong detergent and put a couple of cups of vinegar in the rinse water and softner sheets in the dryer.. Not sure which one did the trick but no smell.

I don't think smokers realize how pervasive the smell is. I often stand behind smokers in grocery lines and I'm shocked they can't seem to tell how bad they smell. Did I read correctly somewhere that smoking deadens the taste and smell receptors in a person? I guess it doesn't matter.Use white vinegar in your wash cycle.I sure hope it works.

Sunlight can deteriorate fabric and fade dyes very quickly.

The sure-fire solution for odors like tobacco, mildew or pet stains is ammonia.

I use it in the laundry because it strips detergent residue and skin oils and leaves fabrics completely fresh and clean. I use about a half a cup in a load, although for really strong odors, I might use up to two cups.

I use it in a carpet steam cleaner and it stinks to high heaven for ten or twenty minutes, but it cleans oily stains (coffee spills and skin oils) and disinfects and leaves everything clean without perfumes. :)

I will remember these hints. Especially the ammonia in the wash, my hubby has very oily skin and his shirt necks are a bear to get clean particularity the necklines.

as a former smoker for many years I can say, no they do not realize how strong and offensive the smell is, when you quit you are amazed at how much more taste food has and I seem to have a keener sense of smell, it also makes your hair yellow! now when I get around a smoker I really feel guilty about my poor little kids and everybody else I tried to kill! glad I finally wised up.
anyway, the quilts could probably use a good washing and that WILL take out the smell