How To Get Cigarette Smell Out Of Clothes Efficiently

Updated September 12, 2026

Cigarette smoke can leave a stubborn odor on clothing because smoke residue settles into fabric fibers and may remain even after a normal wash. The best approach is to air out the garment, pretreat it when appropriate, wash it according to the care label, and avoid masking the odor with heavy fragrance.

Quick answer: How do you get cigarette smell out of clothes?

Air the clothing out in a well-ventilated area.
Check the garment care label before treating it.
Wash with a suitable laundry detergent.
For washable fabrics, use baking soda or white vinegar separately if needed.
Inspect the garment before drying and repeat the wash if the smoke odor remains.

Table of Contents

Why Cigarette Smoke Smell Lingers on Clothes

Cigarette smoke contains fine particles and residue that can settle into fabric fibers. Heavy fabrics, jackets, uniforms and clothing repeatedly exposed to smoke may hold the odor longer than lightweight garments.

Sometimes one normal wash is enough. In other cases, the clothing may need to be aired out, pretreated and washed more than once.

Before You Begin

Always check the garment care label before using any stain remover, vinegar, baking soda or other laundry treatment. Delicate fabrics, dry-clean-only garments, wool, silk and items with special finishes may require professional care.

Also avoid combining multiple cleaning products together. Use one treatment at a time and follow the product instructions.

If you are dealing with a different stubborn odor, see our guide on how to get oil smell out of clothes.

What You May Need

Liquid laundry detergent
Baking soda
Distilled white vinegar
A basin, sink or washing machine
A clothesline or drying rack
A well-ventilated area

You do not need to use every item on this list. Choose a treatment that is appropriate for the fabric and follow the garment care label.

How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Clothes Step by Step

Air Out the Clothing
Hang the garment outdoors or in a well-ventilated indoor area before washing. Fresh airflow can help reduce some of the surface odor before the garment goes into the washer.
Check the Care Label
Confirm the recommended water temperature, wash cycle and drying instructions. Do not use a treatment that conflicts with the garment manufacturer’s directions.
Wash With Laundry Detergent
Wash the clothing using a good-quality laundry detergent and the warmest water temperature allowed by the care label. For dark, delicate or synthetic fabrics, follow the specific temperature instructions on the garment.
Use Baking Soda if Needed
For washable fabrics, baking soda can sometimes help with lingering odors. Add it according to your washing machine and detergent instructions rather than applying excessive amounts directly to delicate fabrics.
Try White Vinegar Separately
If the smell remains, white vinegar may be used in a separate wash or rinse on compatible washable fabrics. Do not combine vinegar with chlorine bleach or other cleaning chemicals.
Check the Clothing Before Drying
Smell the garment after washing. If the smoke odor is still noticeable, repeat the treatment before using high dryer heat.
Air-Dry When Practical
Air-drying can help you determine whether the odor is actually gone before exposing the clothing to additional heat.

How to Remove Stubborn Cigarette Smoke Odor

Clothing that has been exposed to cigarette smoke repeatedly may require more than one wash. Instead of adding several products at once, repeat the process gradually.

Air out the garment.
Wash it according to the care label.
Let it dry enough to check the odor.
If needed, repeat the wash using one fabric-safe odor treatment.
Continue only if the garment is responding well and the fabric is not being damaged.

Heavy coats, uniforms, blankets and other bulky fabrics may hold smoke odor longer because the residue can settle deeper into the material.

Can Baking Soda Help Remove Cigarette Smell?

Baking soda is commonly used in laundry to help manage odors. For washable garments, it may be added during washing when the fabric and washing machine instructions allow it.

Avoid relying on baking soda as a substitute for detergent. It works best as a supporting treatment rather than the main cleaning product.

Can White Vinegar Help With Smoke Odor?

Distilled white vinegar may help reduce some lingering odors on washable fabrics. If you choose to use it, follow the washing machine and garment care instructions and use it separately from chlorine bleach.

Because fabric dyes and finishes vary, spot-test any treatment if you are unsure how the garment will react.

What If the Clothes Still Smell After Washing?

If cigarette smell remains after one wash, do not immediately cover it with perfume, fabric spray or heavy scent boosters. Those products may mask the odor temporarily without removing the residue causing it.

Instead:

Air the garment out again.
Wash it a second time if the care label permits.
Use an appropriate odor treatment separately.
Allow the fabric to dry and check it again.
Consider professional cleaning for delicate or valuable garments.

How to Remove Cigarette Smell From Jackets and Heavy Clothes

Jackets, hoodies and other thick garments can retain smoke odor longer because they contain more layers of fabric.

Check the label carefully before washing. If machine washing is allowed, avoid overloading the washer so water and detergent can circulate properly around the garment.

For oversized washable loads, you can also use our bulky items laundry service in Clarksville.

What Not to Do

Do not mix vinegar and chlorine bleach.
Do not mix several cleaning chemicals together.
Do not use treatments that conflict with the garment care label.
Do not rely only on perfume or fabric spray to cover the odor.
Do not use excessive heat on delicate fabrics.
Do not aggressively scrub delicate or coated materials.

How to Prevent Cigarette Smell From Staying in Clothes

Air out smoke-exposed clothing as soon as practical.
Keep clean clothing away from areas where smoking occurs.
Do not store smoke-exposed clothing in a closed closet with clean garments.
Wash affected clothing according to the care label before the odor becomes more persistent.
Clean jackets and heavy outerwear periodically if they are frequently exposed to smoke.

If your clothes also have grease or oily stains, see our guide on how to get grease stains out of clothes.

When to Consider Professional Laundry Help

Professional help may be useful when the odor remains after repeated washing, the garment is delicate, the item is oversized, or you are unsure which treatment is safe for the fabric.

The Dutchman’s Laundry offers drop-off wash and fold in Clarksville, TN along with self-service laundry.

Visit us at 551 Dover Rd, Clarksville, TN. We’re open daily from 5 AM to midnight. You can also contact us to learn more about available laundry services.

The Dutchman’s Laundry, Clarksville, TN Services

FAQ

Will dry cleaning remove cigarette smell?

Professional dry cleaning may help reduce cigarette smoke odor on garments that are not suitable for normal washing. Results depend on the fabric, how long it was exposed to smoke and how deeply the odor has penetrated.

Does vinegar remove cigarette smell from clothes?

Distilled white vinegar may help reduce lingering smoke odor on some washable fabrics. Always check the care label and never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach.

Does baking soda remove cigarette smell from clothes?

Baking soda can help with some laundry odors and may be useful as part of the washing process for compatible fabrics. It should be used alongside proper washing rather than as a replacement for laundry detergent.

How many washes does it take to remove cigarette smoke smell?

Light smoke exposure may improve after one wash, while clothing that has been repeatedly exposed may require several treatments. Check the garment after each wash rather than repeatedly washing it without inspecting the result.

How do you prevent cigarette smell from staying in clothes?

Air clothing out after smoke exposure, keep affected garments separate from clean clothes, and wash them according to the care label before the odor becomes more persistent.

Can cigarette smell stay in clothes after washing?

Yes. Smoke residue can remain in thick or repeatedly exposed fabrics even after a normal wash. A second wash, additional airing or a fabric-safe odor treatment may be needed.