How To Get Smoke Smell Out Of Clothes, From The Fire Station To The Firing Range
Share
Short answer: To get smoke smell out of clothes, shake them out and wash them as soon as possible, add a laundry deodorizer like the Arrest My Vest Laundry Booster alongside your detergent, and check the smell before you put anything in the dryer. Rewash anything that still smells smoky. For jackets, bags, and gear that can't go in the washer, use an odor eliminating spray.
Smoke has a way of following you home. It might come from a structure fire, a training burn, a day at the range, or just a night around the campfire. You toss everything in the wash, and the next morning your clothes still smell like the day before. Smoke odor is one of the toughest smells to get out of fabric, but the right routine makes a real difference.
Why Does Smoke Smell Cling To Clothes?
Smoke is made up of tiny particles and oils that settle into fabric fibers and hold on. Thick fabrics like hoodies, canvas, and fleece trap even more of it. A standard wash with detergent can remove the surface dirt and still leave the odor behind.
How Do You Get Smoke Smell Out Of Clothes In The Wash?
These steps work for station wear, range clothes, hunting layers, and everyday clothes that picked up smoke.
- Take the clothes outside and shake them out to release loose particles before washing.
- Wash them as soon as you can, because smoke odor gets harder to remove the longer it sits.
- Add the Arrest My Vest Laundry Booster with your regular detergent, following the directions on the bottle.
- Check the smell when the wash cycle ends and before anything goes in the dryer.
- Rewash anything that still smells smoky, since heat from the dryer can make odor harder to remove.
The Laundry Booster is a laundry deodorizer that eliminates odor in the wash. Your detergent cleans the fabric, and the Booster takes on the smoke smell that detergent leaves behind.
Can Firefighters Use The Laundry Booster On Turnout Gear?
Turnout gear has its own cleaning requirements, so always follow your department's procedures and the gear manufacturer's instructions. The Laundry Booster is a great fit for everything else a firefighter wears. That includes station uniforms, PT clothes, base layers, and the clothes you wear home after shift.
What About Smoke Smell In Gear You Can't Wash?
Jackets, range bags, hats, boots, and seat covers can trap smoke just as badly as clothing. For those, reach for Arrest My Vest odor eliminating spray. It uses OAM Technology to neutralize odor at the molecular level, and it works instantly on contact. That makes it easy to treat gear right after the range or the fire pit.
Which Laundry Booster Size Is Right For You?
The Laundry Booster comes in a new 16 oz bottle in our Midnight fragrance for $15.99, which makes it easy to try. The 64 oz Laundry Booster is $34.95 and is a better fit if smoke is a regular part of your week. If you want your whole laundry routine covered, our bundles combine the Laundry Booster with our Laundry Detergent Sheets and our odor eliminating spray in one complete laundry kit.
Who Makes Arrest My Vest?
Arrest My Vest was founded by Paul C. Anderson, a chemical engineer with more than 40 years in consumer products, including two decades leading fabric care. First responders and their families have trusted Arrest My Vest with more than one million bottles sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get campfire smoke out of clothes? Shake the clothes out, wash them soon with your detergent and the Laundry Booster, and check the smell before drying. Rewash anything that still smells like smoke.
Should I put smoky clothes in the dryer? Check them first. If the smoke smell is still there after washing, wash them again before you dry them.
Can I use the Laundry Booster on my turnout gear? Follow your department's procedures and the manufacturer's instructions for turnout gear. Use the Laundry Booster on your station wear and everyday clothes.
