How to get campfire smell out of clothes is something I’ve had to figure out after a camping trip.
I remember one weekend, I came back from a forest bonfire with my jacket and jeans reeking.
The regular wash did nothing, like the smell was tattooed into the fibres.
It’s not just the scent either; it brings that stuffy, smoky feeling with it.
Over time, I’ve learnt a handful of reliable ways to get the odour out completely.
And trust me, it’s doable without throwing everything into the wash ten times.
How to get campfire smell out of clothes without washing
It might sound impossible, but sometimes you don’t have access to a washing machine, like on road trips or while camping.
I’ve handled it using these tricks that work surprisingly well.
Hang clothes in fresh air: Let the clothes breathe outside for a full day if possible. Sunlight will naturally remove the odour.
Use vodka spray: Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of plain vodka and water. Lightly mist your clothes and hang them to dry.
Activated charcoal cubes: Seal your smoky clothes in a container with charcoal cubes. They pull in the odour like a magnet overnight.
This is great when you’re in between washes or don’t want to damage delicates.
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How to get campfire smell out of clothes quickly
I’ve panicked more than once, especially before work or a dinner out. When you don’t have time, try this fast fix:
Vinegar-infused steam: Add white vinegar to a clothes steamer’s water tank, then run it slowly over the garment. It breaks down odour particles quickly.
Dryer refresh: Toss clothes in the dryer with clean tennis balls and a eucalyptus-scented dryer sheet. Ten minutes on low works wonders.
Lemon water spritz: Mix fresh lemon juice and water in a spray bottle, then mist the fabric and let it dry near a window. Smells like citrus, not campfire.
Step-by-step guide to remove campfire smell from clothes
Here’s the process I follow after heavy exposure:
- Air them out immediately. Hang outdoors for 12–24 hours.
- Soak in vinegar or an alternate mix. 1 cup vinegar in warm water or your chosen soak.
- Wash with odour-neutralising detergent. Add 1/2 cup baking soda or a targeted booster.
- Use an extra rinse cycle. It helps eliminate lingering particles.
- Air dry in sunlight. Sun naturally deodorises and refreshes fabric.
- Store properly. Use breathable bags and natural scent pouches to prevent odour from settling again.
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How to get campfire smell out of a puffer jacket
It is tricky because you can’t just soak it or blast it in a hot dryer without ruining the insulation.
I’ve had this exact problem after a winter bonfire. Here’s what worked:
Steam treatment: Hang the jacket in the bathroom and run a hot shower with a bowl of white vinegar on the floor. The steam and vinegar remove odour gently.
Cornstarch shake-up: Sprinkle cornstarch inside the sleeves and outer shell, and let it sit overnight before brushing it off. It absorbs the smell without hurting the feel.
Dryer fluff method: Place it in the dryer on air fluff with wool dryer balls and a clean towel. Keeps the loft intact while pushing out odour.
How to get campfire smell out of a jacket
It depends on the fabric. Leather, fleece, or windbreakers all need different approaches.
I’ve messed up a good coat by treating it like a hoodie—don’t make my mistake.
Fleece or cotton jackets: mix equal parts water and apple juice and soak for 30 minutes. Wash as usual—sweet, acidic juice cuts through stubborn scent.
Leather jackets: Wipe gently with a cloth dampened in black tea. The tannins pull odour and condition the leather.
Windbreakers or nylon: Mist with diluted hydrogen peroxide in a 1:5 ratio with water and air dry. It refreshes synthetic fibres without bleach.
How to get the campfire smell out of a coat
I’ve had this issue with a wool trench after a beach bonfire. Washing was off the table, and hanging it outside didn’t cut it.
Try these tips; they’re especially useful when your coat’s too fragile or expensive.
Try rice deodorising pockets: fill a few socks or small cloth bags with uncooked white rice and a few drops of clove oil. Tuck these into the sleeves and pockets, then seal the coat inside a large garment bag or suitcase for 24–48 hours.
Use cold air to neutralise smoke: fold your coat loosely, seal it in a plastic bag, and pop it in the freezer overnight. The cold breaks down the smoke compounds, and the fabric comes out smelling neutral.
For velvet or faux fur coats, lay them flat and lightly dust the inside and collar area with arrowroot powder. Let it sit for an hour, then shake or brush it off. It pulls out any oily smoke residue without damaging delicate fabrics.
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How to get campfire smell out of hair
It was a disaster for me once before work. I washed it twice, and it still smelled like a campfire. Here’s what finally worked.
Apple cider vinegar rinse: After shampooing, mix 1 tablespoon of ACV with 1 cup of water and pour it over your hair. Let it sit for a minute before rinsing.
Cucumber puree mask: Blend cucumber and a bit of aloe vera. Apply it to your scalp and leave it on for 10 minutes. Cool and soothing, and it pulls out odour.
Mint tea rinse: Brew mint tea, cool it down, and use it as a final rinse. It’s surprisingly effective and smells amazing.
How to get campfire smell out of hair without washing
It is something I’ve needed after bonfires, before or early morning meetings. Here’s how I manage:
Coffee ground rub: Rub a small pinch of used coffee grounds into your hands, then smooth through the ends. It masks odour naturally and leaves a subtle, earthy scent.
Essential oil mist: Mix rosemary or geranium oil with rose water and spritz lightly through your hair. Brush out after 5–10 minutes.
Silk scarf trap: Wrap your hair in a clean silk scarf lined with crushed dried herbs like sage or thyme. Leave it for an hour, and it soaks up the smell.
How to get rid of the campfire smell in the house
It is crucial that when smoke from your clothes spreads through the whole space.
I’ve had my entire living room smell like a fire pit for days. Here’s how I reset the air:
Simmer orange and cinnamon: Boil orange slices with cinnamon sticks on the stove for 30–60 minutes.
Put out a bowl of oats: dry oats naturally pull odour from small rooms, just toss them afterwards.
Scented rock salt jars: Fill glass jars with coarse salt and a few drops of vanilla. The salt absorbs smoke; the vanilla masks it.
Open windows and use cross-breeze: Place a fan across from an open window to push the stale air out and pull fresh air in.
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How to keep your clothes smelling fresh in the wardrobe
It helps you avoid that smoky scent from returning or lingering after storage. Here’s what works for me:
Tuck in dried citrus peels: Let them dry fully first, then place them inside breathable cotton pouches.
Switch to cedar hangers: they repel insects and smell like the forest, in a good way.
Hang clothing with scented beeswax bars nearby: These slowly release fresh scents and help prevent moisture buildup.
Use pillowcases for storage: Store smoke-prone clothes in cotton pillowcases instead of plastic covers so they can breathe.
Home Remedies to Get Campfire Smell Out of Clothes
Here are home remedies I’ve tested when dealing with that stubborn campfire stench in clothes.
1. Bay Leaf Sachets to get campfire smell out of clothes
Crush a few dry bay leaves and place them in a muslin bag. Tuck it into your smoky garment overnight.
The natural oils in bay leaves absorb odour and leave a clean, herbal scent.
2. Fresh Pine Needles Wrap
Wrap your smoky clothes in a thin sheet and sandwich them between fresh pine needles overnight.
Pine acts like a natural deodoriser and leaves your clothes smelling crisp and woodsy instead of burnt.
3. Rose Petal Infusion Jar
Line a large glass jar with dried rose petals, roll your smoky scarf or tee inside, and seal it shut for 24 hours.
The petals draw in odour while adding a floral touch.
4. Tomato Juice Mist
Dilute unsalted tomato juice with water, mist lightly over the garment, then let it air dry.
It cuts through smoke oils just like it neutralises skunk spray—surprisingly effective.
5. Chalk Absorption Trick
Place plain white chalk sticks in pockets or wrap them in cheesecloth near the garment.
Chalk absorbs odour molecules silently, great for delicate items you can’t wash often.
6. Baking Cocoa Rub to get campfire smell out of clothes
Sprinkle unsweetened baking cocoa on the inside of smoky clothes, especially underarms or collars.
Let it sit for an hour before brushing off. It absorbs odour and leaves zero scent behind.
7. Fresh Bread Smother Method
Wrap clothes loosely in a towel with a few slices of fresh white bread nearby.
Bread pulls ambient smoke odour from tight spaces; it’s old-school but works surprisingly well in suitcases or drawers.
8. Eucalyptus Branch Steam Tent
Create a steam tent in your bathroom with real eucalyptus branches.
Hang your clothes, run hot water, and let the natural vapour deodorise the fabric. It’s like giving your clothes a spa day.
9. Clay Powder Sachets
Fill breathable sachets with bentonite clay powder and tuck them into pockets or storage bins.
Clay is a powerful odour absorber, perfect for heavier fabrics or coats that trap smoke deeply.
10. Apple Juice Soak to get campfire smell out of clothes
Soak your cotton or fleece clothes in a mix of water and apple juice.
The mild acidity gently breaks down smoke particles without harming fabric or leaving a sour smell.
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Final thoughts: How to get campfire smell out of clothes
Getting that campfire smell out of clothes doesn’t have to be a losing battle.
The key is knowing which method fits your fabric, your urgency, and your available tools.
Whether you’re trying to get rid of it fast without washing or want to deep clean after a trip, there’s always a way.
Just don’t throw your clothes back in the drawer and hope for the best, tackle the smell head-on, and your wardrobe.
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