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How to Get Campfire Smell Out of Clothes: 11 Best Secrets Unlocked

Campfires are one of the most enjoyable activities complementary to the night long treks, bar hopping, or dinner with friends. Yet the stale ashtray stink that follows it, the smell of smoke, flames, and wood-burning can give you a headache. 

Listed below are some easy methods to help you learn how to get campfire smell out of clothes. We have added multiple ways so that anyone can do this task without any trouble.

how to get campfire smell out of clothes

How to Get Campfire Smell Out of Clothes (No Wash Methods)

This step primarily involves a list of methods that do not require washing.

Method 1: Fabric Odour Eliminating Sprays

30-90 mins

  • Deodorant sprays/odor removing sprays for fabric
  • smelly garments

There are some deodorizing spray products and many fabric sprays for odor removal which are available in the market. These can be sprayed on the specific portions on the front and back of the clothes to remove the smell. However, the sprays should have deodorizing characteristics to mask the smell. Be aware of the decoloration factor before using one.

Method 2: Alcohol/ Liquor

  • alcohol/ liquor, warm water
  • spray bottle

Alcohol is a multipurpose tool and a tough one for removing the campfire odor. It works by releasing the smell from the material it has been soaked into when it gets heated up. Mix one-part alcohol spirit and 4 parts of warm water. Put them in a spray bottle and spray a good amount on the affected parts.

Method 3: Lemon juice

  • lemon juice
  • warm water, spray bottle

Lemon juice can be very effective in eliminating the campfire odor. Being acidic, the citrus acid present in it will release the smell from the material giving it a fresh lime scent. Mix around 8 parts of warm water with one part of lemon juice. Put them in a spray bottle and spray a sufficient amount of it on all the portions of your clothes.

Method 4: Steam

  • a water reservoir
  • rubbing alcohol, warm water
  • rack/line

Steam is a good option for removing odors from the clothes which cannot be washed. Using the principle that higher temperatures can help in eliminating the smell, steam is an effective method. Line up the clothes on a rack or hang them up. Then steam slowly and carefully without leaving out any portion.

Method 5: Borax wash

  • borax
  • sleeping bag or plastic bag

Recognized as an amazing smoke neutralizer, it can be an effective solution to remove the stinking smell from your clothes. Put the items in a plastic bag or sleeping bag and sprinkle the borax on them. After you have finished spraying, close it tightly and wait for approximately one week.

How to Get Campfire Smell Out of Clothes (by Washing)

  • Hot water
  • white vinegar/baking soda/lemon juice/bio-enzymes/vodka
  •  stinking clothes, one cup,

If the smell is not strong enough, the non-washing methods are enough to eliminate the smell. If the smell persists

  • Select a hot tub of your desired size and fill it with hot water in a proportion needed as per the ingredient you will use. The warmer the water, the better it is.
  • Load laundry detergent in it.

Some Other Methods To Get Rid Of the Campfire Odor

Then follow one of the methods listed below to get rid of the odor from your clothes due to campfire.

Use of Vinegar

Add one cup of white vinegar to the bath of hot water and detergent. Put your garments in the tub and make sure they are fully submerged. Allow them to soak in vinegar for 3-4 hours. Rinse off the clothes after that.

Use of Baking soda

This step is similar to using white vinegar. Add one cup of baking soda to the solution of warm water and laundry detergent in the bathtub. You can also acquire a plastic bag and put the contents in them. Shake the well so that the ingredients can penetrate the material. Allow them to soak for 3-4 hours. Take the contents out of the bag or bathtub and rinse them well.

Use of Vodka

Being safe on most washable clothes, this is a strong odor remover. Add just half a cup of vodka or rubbing alcohol into the solution of warm water and laundry detergent. Soak your clothes completely in it and allow them to soak for 3-4 hours. Take out your clothes then and wash them off.

Use of Lemon juice

Besides using lemon juice in a spray bottle, you can also add lemon juice to the solution. Famous for doing wonders in washing purposes, you would just require a half cup of lemon juice. Soak the garments in the solution well for a few hours. Rinse them afterward.

Use of Bio-enzyme

Bio-enzymes or enzyme cleaners are specially designed to remove stains, sanitize your clothes, and also to remove odors from them. The steps are similar to the above ones. Just use 10 parts of warm water with one part of the enzyme cleaner in the tub. Completely cover your clothes with the solution and let them soak for a few hours. Rinse them off later.

Campfire Smell
How to Get Campfire Smell Out of Clothes (Best Ways Only)

Get Rid of Campfire Smell Using Sunlight and Fresh Air

  • Hanger/rope
  • smelly or treated clothes
  •  cloth clips

After you have used any of the non-washing methods or the washing method, hang the clothes outside. The fresh air of the open space and ultraviolet rays of the sunlight will effectively relieve your garments from the stinking smell.

You can either use any of the non-washing methods and go straight to step 3 or you can follow all the three steps depending on the intensity of the smell. Now that you have known the steps on how to get campfire smell out of clothes and get them completely rid of the odors, there is no further worry. When are you going to your next campfire?

Rocky D

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