sew4nin

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.

Scissor Queen

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.

ckcowl

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

Rose_P

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.

Prism99

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.

sew4nin

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.

Neesie

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.

Tartan

I just had a funny picture of you out in the sun flipping your little scraps over with a spatula. If anyone sees you just say, "it's hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalk and I wanted to see how fabric would do." After your scraps have had a good toasting in the sun, I would put them in a mesh laundry bag and hang them in the garage for a couple of weeks. After that try ironing a small scrap and if the hot iron releases more odor, put them back out in the bag for a while longer.

jlm5419

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.

Prism99

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.