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    How to ‘Tackle Those Smoke Smells’ Just in Time for Bonfire Night

    Bonfire Night whilst entertaining can leave your clothes stinking of smoke and regular washing may not always be enough to get rid of it.

    Bonfire Night whilst entertaining can leave your clothes stinking of smoke and regular washing may not always be enough to get rid of it.

    Katy Roberts, washing machine expert provided some of her top tips to tackling smoky clothes. She explained:

    Pre-treat with baking soda

    “Before you pop your clothes into the washing machine, douse the lot with baking soda as this agent is excellent at absorbing odours like smoke. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly onto your clothes and pay special attention to areas that absorb the most smoke, like armpits or sleeves.

    “If you’re short on time, place your clothes into a plastic bag with baking soda and shake this about as the motion will help the mix work its way into the fabric. Leave this for around half an hour then pop your clothes into your washing machine!”

    Use the right settings

    “Tackling those smoke smells can be tricky particularly if you’re not using the right temperature or time. Smoke particles are often oily and hot water can help break down these oils better than cold water. Be mindful to check the care labels on your clothes and select the hottest cycle recommended to your fabric.

    You can also get ahead by using an extended wash cycle as this will help your washing machine penetrate through the fabric and remove the smoke odour. The extra time you give your clothes can work wonders and will reduce the chance you’ll need to run back-to-back washes.”

    Air dry or tumble dry where possible

    “Drying your clothes outdoors can help remove any lingering odours of smoke. Fresh air and sunlight naturally eliminate odours and can help enhance the freshness of your clothes.

    “The problem is November rain, and since we can’t guarantee the weather, using your tumble dryer is a viable alternative. Next time you’re loading the dryer, try popping in a dryer ball with a few drops of essential oil to give your clothes an extra kick of freshness.”

    Leave your clothes overnight

    “If your clothes still stink of smoke after the initial wash, try soaking them in water along with baking soda and leave them overnight. The extra soak in baking soda will allow the agent to get stuck into the fabric and tackle even the most stubborn of smells.

    “Pop your outfit back into the washing machine the morning after and watch as your clothes come out better than ever.”

    Things to avoid

    “A little-known problem occurs if you leave your clothes in the washing machine after the wash is complete. Leaving your clothes there allows moisture and lingering odours, like smoke, to set in quickly. Be mindful to remove your clothes as soon as the cycle’s complete to avoid this from happening."

    “Similarly, avoid adding too much detergent to your wash as this can often have the opposite intended effect. Excess detergent can cling to smoke particles and end up making the smell worse! For this reason, stick to the recommended amount on the labels and remove this worry."

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