Tips for Removing Cigar Smell From Your Clothing, Car and Home
Eliminating cigar smoke smell doesn’t require drastic measures. While fresh air and time are effective, we often need quicker solutions due to the presence of family, pets, and roommates. Here are the best methods to remove smoke odor from your hair, belongings, and home so you can enjoy an occasional cigar without any hassle.
Is Cigar Smoke Stinking Up Your Stuff?
The smell of smoke is caused by the incomplete combustion of tobacco, which produces water, oils, and ash. Ash, consisting of non-combustible minerals like magnesium and potassium, clings to clothes, furniture, and car upholstery similarly to how grease sticks when cooking.
Tips For Eliminating the Smoke Smell
After enjoying a good cigar, you don’t want to carry the smell around. Unlike cigarette smoke, which clings persistently, cigar odor dissipates more easily. Here’s how to speed up the process:
Clothing
Avoid tossing smoky clothing into the hamper with other clothes. Instead, follow these steps:
- Air out garments overnight in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
- Soak clothes in warm water with 1 cup of baking soda overnight.
- Wash according to care instructions.
- Add 1 cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle.
- Air-dry garments in sunlight.
- Use a fabric refresher if the smell lingers.
For Suits & Professional Attire
- Hang garments in fresh air (preferably outside).
- Brush with a horsehair or boar bristle garment brush.
- Steam the front and back.
- Repeat brushing and steaming.
- Hang in a fresh-air environment.
Baking Soda Method
- Spread garments on a flat surface.
- Sprinkle with baking soda.
- Let sit for 24 to 48 hours.
- Shake off loose baking soda outside.
- Gently vacuum remaining particles.
- Repeat if necessary.
Hair
For short hair, fresh air and a shower suffice. For long hair, try these methods:
- Citric Solution: Spray a mix of citrus peel zest and water onto hair.
- Baking Soda Solution: Massage a mix of baking soda and water into hair, leave for three minutes, then rinse.
- Dry Shampoo: Spray into roots, massage in, and let it absorb the odor.
Removing Cigar Smell from Your Home
Proper ventilation is key. If an HVAC system isn’t feasible, consider these alternatives:
Cigar-Friendly Furniture and Surfaces
Choose hardwood floors, leather, wood, or vinyl seating, and avoid curtains and fluffy pillows.
Exhaust Fan
An exhaust fan in the window can effectively pull smoke out of the room.
Air Purifiers
High-quality air purifiers from brands like Rabbit Air and Dyson trap allergens, gases, bacteria, and smoke in HEPA filters, keeping your home fresh.
How to Remove Smoke Smell from Car Upholstery and Carpet
Removing smoke odor from upholstery and carpet requires a different approach than treating leather. Here’s how to effectively eliminate the smell from your car using baking soda and a vacuum:
- Vacuum Thoroughly: Begin by vacuuming the carpet and upholstery thoroughly. Pay extra attention to under the seats and in crevices where old ash might be hiding.
- Apply Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda generously over the upholstery and carpet. Let it sit for a while, as baking soda neutralizes odors and captures unpleasant scents.
- Vacuum Again: After the baking soda has had time to absorb the odors, vacuum it up. If the smell persists, sprinkle small amounts of baking soda again. Additionally, you can leave an open box of baking soda in your car overnight to absorb lingering smells.
Additional Methods for Removing Smoke Smell from Your Car
Besides baking soda, there are several other effective ways to keep your car smelling fresh:
- Air Out Your Vehicle: On a clear, breezy day, leave your car windows down to allow fresh air to circulate.
- Use Dryer Sheets: Wipe down your seats and interior with dryer sheets for a fresh scent.
- Coffee Grounds: Place a small bowl of coffee grounds in the car to absorb the smoke smell.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Boil a few cinnamon sticks, then place them in a travel mug to cool. This can help clean the air in your vehicle.
- Citrus Peels: Keep open citrus peels (lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruit) in your car to naturally cleanse the smoke smell.
- An air-purifying bag of activated charcoal, like Moso Natural, is effective. These bags absorb moisture, regulate humidity, and trap smoke and other odors.
Using these methods will help ensure your car remains fresh and free from the lingering smell of smoke.
Spray Methods for Quick Odor Elimination
When time is short, try these sprays:
Febreze
Febreze traps odor-causing particles with cyclodextrin. Spritz it on smoky surfaces or clothes to bind odor molecules.
ReFresh Odor Eliminator
Citrus-based ReFresh neutralizes stale smoke odors with various fresh scents available.
Zep Smoke Odor Eliminator
Zep offers a long-lasting, professional-strength solution for a crisp, clean smell.
By following these methods, you can enjoy your cigars without the lingering smoke smell affecting your surroundings.
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