Okay gang, I need your help! At the moment I’m in the process of quilting this little baby that Rhonda had pieced for Siblings Together:
When she sent it over, she warned me that she’d put it together while she was still smoking, although she has since stopped (WTG Rhonda) so it might be a bit smoke smelling. Now when I took it out of the envelope I gave it a bit of a sniff, but it seemed to be pretty much okay, and it’s been sitting kind of airing now for about 3 months.
Fast forward to this morning when I went to press it before I basted it – whoa, seriously stinky smoke smell when I applied iron to fabric :o(
So my question to you guys is this – will a normal wash get rid of this smell? Does it need something more industrial strength? If so what?
Oxyclean or a vinegar/soap soak? Not sure, but I might zigzag the edges and handwash before I keep going. I'd be really frustrated if I quilted the lot and still couldn't get the smell out.
I'm an ex smoker and my clothes came clean with a regular persil & comfort wash when I gave up with no trace. 🙂
How about a dash of Vanish powder in with your usual washing powder? Or maybe some (white) vinegar in the softener drawer? Or shut it in a box (with a tight-fitting lid) with lots and lots of bicarb and leave for a week? I hope you can sort it, it's a wonderful quilt.
P.S. Congratulations to Rhonda becoming an ex-smoker!
I'd quilt it as normal and then wash it when it's all done. In the days when you came out of pubs reeking of smoke, the smell always came out of them with an ordinary wash.
Sorry to say I'm a smoker and all my clothes come out smelling lovely with washing powder and conditioner so it should be enough, you could also add some bicarbonate of soda to the wash.
I'd quilt it, bind it, then wash it, it'll be fine 🙂
After its complete I would wash in your regular laundry soap and use fabric softener in the rinse cycle. I think it will be just fine.
Hugs
My daughter's godmother smokes and sometimes clothes she sends smell of smoke. After washing, I haven't noticed the smell.
Put it on radiator for a few hours"
Well what they say – I am no expert, but would hope the washing would do the trick, maybe a febreeze between 2 washes if still in doubt after one go?
To be honest I have no idea but thankfully others have, good luck (and let us know the results)
For a long time, I've bought fabric & clothes at thrift stores. The best thing to get any smell out of fabric is to soak for several hours in 3 parts water, 1 part white vinegar. I usually throw everything in the washer (making sure its all covered) and leave it soak overnight. Then in the morning I empty the washer, run a rinse cycle, then a normal wash cycle with regular detergent. This has gotten out every smell issue EVER, for me.
Susan
I shall give that a try, thanks :o)
Seriously, a normal wash will get that out.
Good luck! Not had that problem so nothing to add!
I don't smoke, but I am sure an ordinary good wash would do it. Then hang it in the sun to dry.
Hugs
Eek, I'm glad everyone else had good advice!
Wash it as normal and then line dry. The fresh air will be the best thing to get the smell out.
Nothing to add really as I also think a normal wash should work. But yeah, ironing really does exacerbate smoky smells I have found too.
I always chuck a scoop of soda crystals in with a smelly wash (festered boys rugby kits!), but I don't know it that will affect the colours. So use it as a last resort!!
I have not had any problem with my other quilts. One wash and the smell is gone. I haven't had to soak them at all. Same thing with my clothes and curtains. One wash and the smell was gone. It is just a matter of suffering while sewing it. I have found Febreeze to be a lifesaver while working with it.
You've already had lots of good advice but if you don't want to wash it before quilting it but don't want to have to suffer the smell whilst you quilt it I'd hang it out on the line for the day (we actually have suitable weather at the moment! !!!) And then after you've finished it wash it as you normally would to get rid of any lingering whiffs. (I've found lenor with a touch of febreeze brilliant smell wise)
sprinkle with bicarb? it works on smelly tupperware boxes anyway!
If you wash it, see if you can hang it in the sun to dry. The smell should come out in the wash but the sun has its own way of freshening things up…