How to get cigarette smell out of hair, fabrics?

In My Humble Opinion
21

Thank you to everybody who responded, especially Stranger, for a very informative post! I will spend some time outside and lay some of the clothes out as well. I’ll also add vinegar with the next wash for both hair and clothes. (couldn’hoit!)

More in a few days.

22

It has always seemed to me that using them together only cancels out the useful properties of each. Either:

  • you need an alkaline, in which case vinegar will neutralize it, or
  • you need an acid, in which case baking soda will neutralize it, or
  • you need an abrasive, in which case vinegar will dissolve it.

The reaction leaves you with carbon dioxide, water and tiny amounts of sodium acetate. So unless the latter is going to fix your problem, you are just watching pretty bubbles. If what you need is actually sodium acetate, it is still going to be too dilute to achieve anything. You should just buy some powdered.

23

Forgot to add:
A couple of people have asked about sensitivity to the smell. It may well be true that I am hyper-sensitive to smell, and this one in particular. My Dad smoked, and I smoked for 20 years. I quit about 17 years ago.

There’s no question that I had no idea how bad it smelled when I lived with it. Even as a smoker, I never smoked inside my home or car. And I always smoked menthols thinking that this somehow made things better.

Now, I just don’t want to be around that smell. But, you know, puppies in need. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

24

Try Zero Odor Odor Eliminator. I bought a bottle from Amazon for musty smells in some furniture. It took all odor away and it never came back. I’ve used it in the kitchen for cooking odors too. It works immediately. I love the stuff and always have it on hand. They have a pet version also but I think they’re basically the same thing.

25

Spritz with vodka. apparently it is common in theatre circles to spray costumes with vodka when washing is difficult. Should work on your pillow as well.
Personally, I never had an issue of smelling cigarettes after I showered and washed my hair and clothes. I remember the days when smoking was allowed indoors and always had to shower when coming home frpom a club.

26

When my mom passed away we bought an ozone generator and gave things a good solid dose in the garage. The situation was extreme, so for the best effect her stuff had to be washed then ozoned.

They are pretty inexpensive and work great on mildew and smoke smells. Just make sure you get the pets, plants, and people out of the space before you give it a 12 hour dose of ozone.

I use it to destinkify my basement every once in a while now. I used it to defunkify an upstairs walk-in closet.