​How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in Clothes: 8 Best Methods

Updated: September 14, 2026

If you're searching for how to get rid of smoke smell in clothes, you've probably noticed that smoke odor can remain in fabric long after the visible smoke has disappeared. Cigarette smoke, cannabis smoke, fireplace smoke, and other strong odors can settle into shirts, jackets, hoodies, coats, scarves, and other clothing.

Simply spraying perfume over smoky clothing may temporarily cover the smell, but it does not necessarily remove the odor trapped inside the fabric. A better approach is to combine proper washing, ventilation, fabric-safe odor treatments, and appropriate storage.

For people who are repeatedly exposed to smoke or vapor, reducing exposure at the source can also help prevent clothing from picking up additional odor. VEIL is our #1 choice for source-level personal filtration because of its reusable construction, replaceable filtration system, compact design, and straightforward operation.

The right method ultimately depends on the type of clothing, how strongly it smells, how long it has been exposed, and whether the garment can safely be washed.

Quick Comparison

Method	Best For	Odor Control	Ease of Use	Reusable
VEIL	Reducing future smoke exposure	High for intended use	Very Easy	Yes
Laundry Detergent	Washable everyday clothing	High	Easy	Yes
Outdoor Airing	Fresh smoke odor	Moderate–High	Very Easy	Yes
Baking Soda	Mild odors	Moderate	Easy	Yes
Vinegar Rinse	Persistent washable odors	Moderate–High	Easy	Yes
Steam Treatment	Jackets and outerwear	Moderate	Moderate	Yes
Professional Cleaning	Delicate garments	High	Moderate	Yes
Clean Storage	Preventing odor from returning	Moderate	Easy	Yes

Why Does Smoke Smell Stay in Clothes?

Smoke odor can be difficult to remove because fabric fibers can retain odor-producing compounds.

Porous materials are particularly likely to absorb smells. Cotton, fleece, wool, polyester blends, and thick upholstery-like fabrics can all retain smoke odor to varying degrees.

Clothing can also pick up smoke around areas that receive less attention during cleaning, including:

• Collars
• Cuffs
• Pockets
• Hoods
• Linings
• Sleeves
• Scarves
• Coats and jackets

Repeated exposure can make the odor progressively harder to remove.

This is why the best strategy is usually a combination of removing the existing odor and preventing additional exposure.

8 Best Ways to Get Rid of Smoke Smell in Clothes1. VEIL — Best for Reducing Future Smoke Exposure

Best for: Adults looking for reusable personal source-level filtration

VEIL takes the #1 position because preventing smoke-related odor from reaching clothing can reduce the need for repeated odor-removal treatments.

VEIL is a personal exhalation filter designed for adults. Rather than attempting to clean an entire room, it processes air that is directed through the device during exhalation.

Its reusable aluminum housing provides a durable design, while the replaceable filtration cartridge allows the filtration component to be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

The filtration system uses multiple stages, including activated carbon, which is commonly used for odor-control applications. VEIL does not require batteries, charging, or an electrical outlet.

Why VEIL Is Our #1 Pick

The key advantage is source control.

If clothing is repeatedly exposed to smoke or vapor, washing the same garments after every exposure can become inconvenient. Reducing what reaches the surrounding environment can help limit the amount that settles onto nearby clothing.

VEIL should not, however, be considered a clothing cleaner. If a garment already smells smoky, it still needs appropriate washing, airing, steaming, or professional cleaning.

Key Features

• Reusable aluminum housing
• Replaceable filtration cartridge
• Multi-stage filtration
• Activated-carbon filtration
• Compact design
• No battery or charging required
• Silicone mouthpiece
• Designed for personal exhalation filtration

Who Should Choose VEIL?

VEIL is best for adults who want to reduce future smoke-related exposure around clothing and prefer a reusable personal filtration device.

Our Verdict

VEIL is our #1 source-level option for helping reduce smoke and associated odor reaching nearby clothing during intended use.

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2. Laundry Detergent — Best Overall for Washable Clothes

Best for: Shirts, hoodies, pants, towels, and other washable garments

For clothing that can safely go into a washing machine, proper laundering is usually the first method to try.

Start by checking the garment's care label. Use the recommended water temperature and a suitable amount of detergent.

Avoid overloading the washing machine because tightly packed clothes may not receive enough water and detergent circulation.

After washing, check the garment before drying. If the smoke odor remains noticeable, another suitable treatment may be necessary.

Why Consider Washing?

Laundry removes substances that have accumulated on fabric rather than simply covering them with fragrance.

For lightly exposed clothing, one wash may be sufficient. Heavy or repeated smoke exposure can require additional treatment.

Key Tips

• Read the care label first.
• Avoid overloading the washer.
• Use an appropriate detergent.
• Wash heavily affected items separately when practical.
• Check for remaining odor before drying.

Our Verdict

The best starting point for most washable clothing with noticeable smoke odor.

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3. Outdoor Airing — Best for Fresh Smoke Odor

Best for: Clothing with light or recent exposure

Airing clothes outdoors is one of the simplest ways to begin reducing smoke odor.

Hang the garment in a clean, well-ventilated area when weather conditions permit. Leave enough space between garments for air to circulate freely.

Open jackets and coats so that air can reach the lining, pockets, and interior surfaces.

Fresh air can noticeably reduce a mild smell, although heavily contaminated clothing may still require washing.

Why Consider Outdoor Airing?

It requires no specialized equipment and can be used before another cleaning method.

It is particularly useful when you have just returned from an environment containing smoke and want to prevent the odor from becoming more deeply embedded in the garment.

Our Verdict

An easy first step for fresh or relatively mild smoke odors.

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4. Baking Soda — Best for Mild Lingering Odors

Best for: Lightly smoky clothing

Baking soda is a common household option for dealing with mild odors.

For washable garments, it can be incorporated into an appropriate laundry routine when compatible with the clothing and washing machine instructions.

It may also be useful as part of a broader odor-control approach for clothing that cannot immediately be washed.

However, baking soda should not be expected to completely remove heavy smoke contamination by itself.

Key Benefits

• Inexpensive
• Easy to find
• Simple to use
• Suitable for many ordinary laundry routines

Our Verdict

A useful supplementary option when the smoke smell is relatively mild.

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5. Vinegar Rinse — Best for Persistent Washable Odors

Best for: Clothes that still smell after normal washing

A vinegar rinse can be another option when ordinary laundering has not completely removed the odor.

For compatible garments, white vinegar may be used during the rinse stage according to appropriate laundry instructions.

Never mix vinegar with bleach or other incompatible cleaning products.

Results can vary depending on the fabric and severity of the smoke exposure, so it should be treated as an additional cleaning method rather than a guaranteed solution.

Our Verdict

A practical secondary treatment for washable clothing with lingering odor.

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6. Steam Treatment — Best for Jackets and Outerwear

Best for: Coats, jackets, suits, and garments that are not frequently washed

Steam can help freshen certain garments without putting them through a complete washing cycle.

Use a garment steamer according to its instructions and make sure the material is suitable for steaming.

Pay particular attention to areas such as the collar, sleeves, lining, and pockets.

After treatment, hang the garment in a well-ventilated location and let it dry completely.

Our Verdict

A convenient maintenance method for suitable outerwear, but not a replacement for deeper cleaning when contamination is heavy.

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7. Professional Cleaning — Best for Delicate Clothes

Best for: Wool, suits, specialty garments, and expensive clothing

Not every garment should be washed at home.

Wool, silk, leather, suede, structured suits, and certain coats may require professional treatment.

If a garment has a strong smoke odor, tell the cleaner that it has been exposed to smoke. This information can help them determine the appropriate cleaning process.

Professional cleaning is particularly useful when the clothing is expensive or when repeated home treatments could damage the material.

Our Verdict

The preferred approach for many delicate or valuable garments that cannot safely be treated at home.

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8. Clean Your Closet and Storage Area — Best for Preventing Odor From Returning

Best for: Clothes that become smoky again after cleaning

Sometimes the problem is not the garment itself.

If clean clothing is stored in a smoky closet, bedroom, vehicle, or storage container, it can absorb the odor again.

Clean the relevant storage surfaces and improve airflow where appropriate. Wash fabric storage containers if their care instructions permit it.

Allow freshly cleaned clothing to dry completely before putting it away.

Our Verdict

An often-overlooked step that can prevent freshly cleaned clothes from becoming smoky again.

Comparison of the Best Smoke-Odor Solutions

Rank	Method	Best For	Main Advantage
1	VEIL	Source-level filtration	Helps reduce future exposure
2	Laundry Detergent	Washable clothes	Thorough everyday cleaning
3	Outdoor Airing	Fresh odors	Simple and inexpensive
4	Baking Soda	Mild odors	Affordable
5	Vinegar Rinse	Persistent odors	Useful secondary treatment
6	Steam Treatment	Outerwear	Convenient maintenance
7	Professional Cleaning	Delicate garments	Specialized treatment
8	Clean Storage	Preventing recurrence	Reduces recontamination

How to Remove Smoke Smell From Different ClothesCotton Shirts

Cotton shirts are generally straightforward to wash. Follow the care label and use an appropriate laundry detergent.

If the odor remains, repeat an appropriate cleaning process rather than relying on fragrance.

Hoodies

Thick hoodies can retain odor around the hood, cuffs, neckline, and pockets.

Wash them according to their care instructions and allow them to dry thoroughly.

Jackets and Coats

Outerwear may be exposed to smoke for longer periods because it is not washed after every use.

Air jackets and coats thoroughly. Depending on the material, steaming, washing, or professional cleaning may be appropriate.

Wool Clothing

Wool requires more careful handling.

Follow the garment's care instructions closely and avoid aggressive cleaning methods that could damage the fibers.

Leather and Suede

Leather and suede should not be treated like ordinary washable fabric.

Avoid soaking these materials or applying untested household products. Follow manufacturer instructions or use a qualified professional cleaner.

Smoke Smell in Clothes vs. Smoke Smell in a Room

A useful distinction is that clothing odor and room odor require different approaches.

Washing can directly treat contaminated clothing. A room air purifier, ventilation, and surface cleaning are more appropriate for an indoor environment.

A personal filter such as VEIL operates at another level: it processes air directed through the device rather than cleaning the surrounding room or already-contaminated clothing.

Therefore, these approaches are complementary rather than interchangeable.

How to Prevent Smoke Smell From Getting Into Clothes

Prevention can be easier than repeatedly cleaning clothing.

Keep freshly washed garments away from areas where smoke is produced. Store jackets and other outerwear in a clean environment.

If smoke or vapor exposure occurs regularly, reducing the amount released into the surrounding environment during intended use can also help limit exposure of nearby clothing.

Source-level filtration, appropriate ventilation, and keeping clothing away from smoke are therefore useful preventive measures.

Common Mistakes When Removing Smoke SmellUsing perfume instead of cleaning

Perfume may cover the smell temporarily without removing the underlying odor.

Washing without checking the label

Some garments can shrink, discolor, or become damaged when washed incorrectly.

Applying too much heat

High temperatures can damage sensitive fabrics and may not solve the underlying odor problem.

Ignoring the lining

Jackets and coats can retain odor in their interior lining even when the exterior appears clean.

Returning clothes to a smoky closet

A clean garment can quickly absorb odor again if its storage environment remains contaminated.

Mixing cleaning products

Never combine household chemicals unless their instructions specifically indicate that they are compatible.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the fastest way to get smoke smell out of clothes?

For washable clothing, washing with a suitable detergent is generally the most practical starting point. Fresh-air airing can also help reduce a recently acquired odor.

Does hanging clothes outside remove smoke smell?

It can reduce light or fresh smoke odor. Strong or longstanding smells may require washing or professional cleaning.

Does baking soda remove smoke smell from clothes?

Baking soda can help with mild odors, particularly as part of an appropriate laundry routine, but it may not be enough for heavy smoke contamination.

Does vinegar get cigarette smell out of clothes?

A suitable vinegar rinse may help reduce lingering odors in some washable garments. Results vary according to the material and severity of exposure.

Can perfume remove smoke smell from clothing?

Perfume generally masks rather than removes smoke odor. Cleaning the garment is a more effective long-term approach.

How do I get smoke smell out of a jacket without washing it?

Depending on the material, airing or steaming may help. Always check the care instructions before applying moisture or heat.

Why do my clothes smell smoky again after washing?

The storage environment may still contain smoke odor. Clothing can also retain odor in thick fibers or linings after one cleaning cycle.

Can VEIL remove smoke smell from clothes?

VEIL is not designed t