Removing Smoke Odors and Stains from Fabrics

Smoke seeps through crevices, damaging clothes in closets, drawers and cabinets. Two kinds of smoke damage may occur visible deposits of burned material and odor.

Families whose homes have caught fire are faced with an almost impossible task. Removing smoke odor and stains from the remaining clothes and furniture.

Smoke seeps through crevices, damaging clothes in closets, drawers and cabinets. Two kinds of smoke damage may occur visible deposits of burned material and odor.

To reduce odor after a fire…

You must remove all evidence of charred or burned surfaces. Then, wash surfaces and fabrics well to remove smoke dust particles.

Visible and odorous smoke damage on washable apparel can generally be removed by five launderings. If the items can be bleached, use a laundry detergent in combination with liquid chlorine bleach. Follow directions on packages for the amounts to use for removing stains.

Send non-washable items to the dry cleaners or hang them out to air.

Mask remaining odor with a pleasant perfume or room deodorizer. Pure vanilla extract can help mask smoke odor effectively. Place small portions of vanilla extract in open bowls or dab extract on cotton balls or toweling and place these near air conditioning and refrigerator vents. This will circulate the aroma.

Some dry cleaners have a process that removes smoke odor.

It's called an ozone treatment. Some dry cleaners and cleaning establishments have portable ozone-generation units which they can bring to a home or building to treat the air and all the items in the area. These are generally effective in removing smoke odor.

There are commercial products available to help remove smoke odors and smoke stains. One example is an antibacterial product called OdoBan. Ask for these products where cleaning supplies are sold.

The Georgia Cooperative Extension Service does not endorse any of the products mentioned. There may be other products or procedures that will remove coffee and tea stains equally well. You may check labels or ask for such products where cleaning supplies are sold.

For more information on removing smoke odors and stains from fabrics; contact your local County Extension Office.