SewMomma66

I have a friend who lost her mother in November. She decided it was time to let go of her moms quilting stash. So for $100 I received a closet full of fabric. Literally from ceiling to floor and front to rear full of fabric in every color. Also, a large quilt frame and notions galore. A great deal.

The problem: mom was a smoker. I have run my first load of fabric through my washer three times now and still have the faint aroma of cigarette smoke. Any recommendations?

earthwalker

Could try putting in a bag with liberal dose of bicarbonate of soda - close it up and after a day or so shake it all out and air outside (that's for the stuff you've already washed).

Try cheap white vinegar in the rinse cycle....gets rid of most odours.

Quiltforme

I had to use tide with fabreeze and then use a fabric sheet to get the smoke smell from a ebay seller who swore up and down it came from a smoke free home. The fabreez did something to stop the smell

sammygirlqt

I have used a bit of ammonia and lots of soap to wash clothes and fabric I have purchased at rummage sales. After washing, I dry them outside. I believe Fabree would help also but the fresh air is the best (like all day). What a deal you got so hope you have some luck.

dunster

I read on another forum that cigarette smoke becomes part of the fiber and can't be removed. There is a product called Vamoose that claims to get rid of it. Good luck.

MissSandra

hang it out on a cloth line.

NauDeeGal

washing with baking soda, borax, and vinegar with your regular detergent or oxy clean will take the smell out. will also help for mildew or musty smells from storing fabrics in damp places. plus if you can hang outside to dry helps too.

OHSue

I find that oxy clean is pretty good at getting smells out of clothing like socks. But when my towels get smelly I use ammonia, I got that as a tip from our county extension service, at that time we used it to get a smell out of our rug. I worked on the rug, too.

quilttiludrop

Borax is good at removing odors too.

TonnieLoree

Might sound strange, but loosely load a lawn/leaf bag with the fabric and place a bowl of deactivated charcoal (like you buy for an aquarium) into the bag and let it set over night. I did this with a freezer that had some rotting fish left in it (not mine). It removed the odor in about 2 days.