5 Simple Ways for How to Get Campfire Smell Out of Clothes

One of the first things many people do when they return from a camping trip is to throw a load of clothes into the washer. Usually, the warm water and soap are enough to render the clothing campfire free, but not always. You might still smell smoke, even after thoroughly washing your clothing. If you find yourself wondering how to get the campfire smell out of clothes, keep reading. 

Does Campfire Smell Ruin Clothes?

Campfire smoke can ruin clothing if you repeatedly expose the clothing to smoke without adequately washing them in between. It can be so bad that they may never smell the same again. 

For example, if you have a sweatshirt that you always keep handy for chilly campfire nights and it rarely gets washed, a few weeks’ exposure with random washings in between could ruin the top. The smell can become so embedded into the fibers that it becomes a permanent part of it.   

How Long Does Campfire Smell Last in Clothes?

How long the campfire smell lingers on clothing varies considerably based on the condition. If you wear a jacket near the campfire and then shove it into the back of a closet without washing it, the smell will likely still linger, even months later when you pull it back out again. 

Pro Tip: Make doing laundry in your RV easy with these 5 Best Small Washing Machines for RV Living

5 Ways to Get Campfire Smells out of Your Clothing

If the thought of your clothes retaining the campfire smell repulses you, you’re in luck. There are a few tricks you can try to get the odor out of your clothing. Before you toss your favorite shirt because it smells like last weekend’s campfire, try one of these methods to extinguish the odor. 

#1. Add Vinegar to the Mix

Vinegar can work wonders for removing smells. Simply dump a cup of vinegar into your washing machine along with your regular soap, and not only will your clothes smell better, but they could feel better too. Vinegar can also replace fabric softeners, helping to reduce the number of unnecessary chemicals in your washer. 

#2. Throw in Some Baking Soda

If you don’t have vinegar on hand, or it didn’t work, try baking soda. In the same way that the sodium bicarbonate in baking soda can absorb odors from your refrigerator, it can also get campfire smoke smell out of your clothing. 

Try soaking your smoky clothes in a baking soda mixture overnight before washing them. For every gallon of water you use, mix in 1 cup of baking soda. For an extra punch, after soaking in the baking soda solution, give vinegar another try in the wash cycle.  

#3. Use Hot Water

Don’t underestimate the power of hot water, which has a way of permeating fabrics and pulling out the stench. Use this method alone or utilize it with the vinegar and baking soda tricks. Soaking your clothes in hot water before washing can increase its effectiveness. Keep in mind that hot water can shrink your clothing, depending on the material.

#4. Use a Bio-Enzymatic Treatment

While the most common uses of Bio-Enzymatic treatments include carpets and RV tanks, they can also work well to get campfire smell out of clothes. You can use these treatments on any washable surface, including fabrics. The proteins work their way into every crevice and fiber, breaking down both stains and odors until they’re entirely gone. You can commonly use them to get pet odors out of carpets–anything that can work that miracle can sure help with campfire smells! 

#5. Let the Sun Do the Work

It’s amazing what the sun can do; it’s such a powerful tool! Not only can you use it to harness the energy, but you can also utilize it to get rid of stains and odors. Placing your freshly laundered clothes (still wet) in direct sunlight can help draw out the campfire smell. This also works on stained children’s clothing, knocking out two problems at once. As an added benefit, you’ll save on your electric bill (if washing at home). 

Keep in Mind: Clean, smoke-free smelling laundry is just one way to stay comfortable in your RV. Find out more about: How to Stay Comfortable When You’re Always on the Move.

Have the Campfire Without the Smell with Propane Fire Pits

For some, the smell of a campfire is a pleasant smell that can bring on feelings of nostalgia. For others, a campfire smell can bring on a migraine and trouble breathing. If you’re the latter, you might consider ditching a traditional campfire and utilize a propane fire pit. Using a propane fire pit eliminates campfire smells as there’s no smoke. A bonus to using propane is that you can typically use them even in a fire ban. 

It can be frustrating to carry the campfire smell with you long after the fire has been put out. Are you someone who enjoys the lingering smell of a campfire, or do you prefer to leave it in the fire pit? 

What are your go-to laundry hacks? Drop a comment below!

Read More From The Mortons:

• How to Stay Comfortable When You’re Always on the Move
• What’s So Great About RV Composting Toilets?
• How To Do RV Laundry On The Road
• 5 Best Small Washing Machines for RV Living
• What Is a Dry Flush Toilet?

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