If washing didn't remove that smoke smell, it may not come out. You can try putting it outside in the sun during a stretch of good weather, but I'm not that hopeful.

Ditto Moonie and use a cup of white vinegar for the rinse cycle -- just as you would fabric softener.

Yuck.....the spread survived a washing so I'd say the advice so far should help. You could try using Febreeze. I actually used it years ago when we stayed at a casino hotel in Vegas...there was no dedicated non-smoking section so all rooms were smelly. I used Febreeze liberally on the carpet and within 2 days, the smell was noticeably diminished. You may have to go through multiple applications and really saturate it because I'm sure the nicotine has really permeated the spread but it may work.

Since it's an oversized load I would add 2 cups of vinegar in the wash. I would do a presoak first and drain the water. Hanging outside to air dry should help.

Did you wash it in a front load HE machine? I'd rewash using a good detergent like Persil or Tide add borax. Be sure to rinse well. Is it worth taking it to the laundramat again for this reason? I forget the size? Will it not fit in your home machine? Thing about water temp at a laundramat is hot is probably not hot but than again unless you have an older washer or a front loader with a good heater you probably won't get hot at home either.

If it was me...and if it was worth fighting for...I'd wash it again in Persil and add borax...I'd than run it thru a complete cycle again....adding nothing. Hang it outside all day after machine drying. But if it isn't 100% cotton, Linen or silk its probably not worth the time or cost expecially if its a man made material.

Hopefully I'm not stepping on toes but the only thing vinegar is good for in the laundry is to neutralize carbonates...and only if enough is used. I'll try to explain. ...professional laundries use what's called a sour to neutralize carbonates..Why...because carbonates can cause a lovely shade of yellow once its hit with heat from a dryer or iron. A sour does not remove residue it neutralizes it preventing damage. Many people think it softens and in a way it does...not like ffabric softener but rather because if used in the rinse it neutralizes the carbonate residue which in turn gives textiles a smoother feel. But again enough needs to be used...what I'm saying is vinegar is acidic and acts like a professional sour.

Theres much talk on line expecially on the mommy blogs about the benefits of vinegar in laundry such as it will disinfect/sanitize. ..I say its a load of bull...think about it...IF vinegar was a laundry sanitizer wouldn't hosputals use it instead of the harsh chlorine...and it WOULD carry the seal of disinfection from the EPA...and trust me manufactures of vinegar would love to be able to slap that seal on their vinegar because sales would go thru the roof.

Forgot to mention...do not use fabric softener as it leaves a coating that can trap the odor.

Good points you make, mamapinky!

For smelly workout clothes many swear by adding ammonia to the wash.

I know it's a rental unit for 9 months of the year but still, I myself wouldn't try to get by with used bedding or furniture.

Our washing machine has a cycle that approaches boiling (190 Degrees) but I sometimes take yucky stuff to a laundromat. While not approaching the very high temps my washer with its 220 V internal heater can produce, the hot water at the laundromat runs out considerably hotter than the temperature I have my hot water set to at home.

Elmer your fortunate to have a laundramat that actually has hot water. but doubtful the washer has a heater at least I've never heard of a laundramat with washers with heaters...so once that small amount of water runs into the machine the cold machine with room temp textiles how long do you think the water is still hot. Probably not long enough to give the textiles any more than a warm wash.

My machine only heats to about 158/160 I envy you your Miele Elmer.

If I hadn't loved the tropical floral, I'd have passed on this, even at $26 for a $400 king, all cotton, quilted spread. Now that I've tried the laundromat's big front load washer (with Persil and a vinegar rinse) -- and their extra hot dryer setting -- I'm in for $36. No big deal, but I'd love to

Has anyone used kitty litter or a commercial odor remover to remove tobacco smoke odor from fabric? I can pitch this or save it and try again.

I wonder if a few boxes of generic baking soda sprinkled all over it might do.

If it was me I think I would try newspapers in the bag and leave it in there for a while. Or maybe even charcoal briquettes

It can be saved!

OdoBan

the hot water at the laundromat runs out considerably hotter than the temperature I have my hot water set to at home.

Because I have a grand baby coming and going, I have my hot water heater set where the water is hot but not hot enough to scald or burn, just as a safety precaution.

Her parents recently bought her a tube of non fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with flashing lights on it and I think the last time she was here she brushed her teeth over a dozen times. I was always there but I just feel better knowing that she can't scald herself at the sink.

Try to find a washing machine that fills with water, not one of those water saving front loaders. You want to saturate the spread well with water and your cleaning solutions for the best results and you want enough volume of your water to dissipate the odor and dilute it in the water.

Do add borax, it is an excellent odor remover.

I agree with the 'add Borax' suggestions. Another additive that works well to remove odors is washing soda. Also, hang outdoors on a line if possible.

Rusty

Yeah, i would follow Mamapinky's instructions.

sheilajoyce, you could throw it into a swimming pool too. Without using a chemical at a sufficient concentration to react with and remove whatever is embedded with the smell, the amount of water won't matter. I hope you're not suggesting indirectly that top loaders wash better than properly used front loaders.

Not sure if this will work, but my parents did this to salvage some of my mom’s needlepoints after a fire in their house to remove the smoke smell.

Lay the comforter flat, and sprinkle baking soda over the surface (will have to flip over and do same to other side). Leave for a while (a few days, a week, or???) , and then vacuum off the baking soda.

I'd hang it outside on a sunny windy day.

I've removed cigarette odor from yarn by leaving it outside for several days.

MamaP is right. Again :-) Hottest water available with Tide or Persil with added Borax. A full day of sunshine and fresh air and it should be good as new.

Moonie and Elizabeth. Thank You for your vote of confidence.

As for the comment about swimming pool and front load vs top load (water hog) I personally believe that there are some situations where a boat load of water can make a significant difference...I suspect a smoke infused comforter is one of those situations. I'm not saying a front loader can't deal with this but its going to require multiple washings. Even a full fill washer will require multiple washings just not as many.

Elmer I'm curious as to why you find it necessary at times to take yucky stuff to a laundramat? A Miele should be able to handle the yuck unless of course its oil/grease/petrol that sort of yuck.

A few years ago I purchased a box of books on ebay that came reeking of smoke- and was able to salvage them, so there may be hope for the bedspread. With the books, I put a layer of baking soda in a seal-able container and fanned the books open, standing them in the sealed container on top of the soda. After a couple of weeks, no more smoke smell. Based on the experience, I'd probably spread the spread out, sprinkle baking soda liberally on it, and start folding it, adding more baking soda to the back as you fold. Then put it in a garbage bag for a week or two and try washing again. Hope you find a good solution :(

I have received quite a few things from a family member in a (heavy) smoking household, including quilts and bedspreads. You may need to wash that bedspread multiple times. As others have mentioned, use a quality detergent. If the smell won't come out, try adding ammonia to the washing machine before throwing the bedspread out. The smell indicates that there is actual cigarette residue in the fabric. There's nothing you can spray or sprinkle on that will get the residue out. Only washing will accomplish that. I agree (re the toploader suggestion) that, sometimes, a boat load of water can make a world of difference.

I've removed smoke odor from books by sealing them in a dark garbage bag with fresh, cheap coffee grounds and placing the whole thing in the hot sun for several days. Don't know if it would work for fabric.

Borax, sunshine & wind = fresh as it will get.

If the borax doesn’t work, do a load of regular detergent and add 1/2 cup of regular ( not the other scents because they aren’t labeled for laundry use) Pinesol. It’s safe for machines. The pine smell will disappear once dry. This also works great for pet beds and blankets.

It might be interesting to read responses to this query at GW's laundry room

chisue...you got a GREAT Bargain on that! I've never put anything into the washing machine and not had it smell "right". I'm no help.

Veggie is absolutely correct. .any time you have textiles with odors you must remove the source of the odor. Veggie also mentioned ammonia which is a great suggestion. And since we're on the subject of ammonia LOL I'll tell you a little secret. If you have a load of whites that happened to get the dreaded dingy...try Tide with bleach powder or Persil pearls, add ammonia, using hot water. Wash on longest cycle or those with a traditional top loader shut machine off for a soak. The ammonia boosts the oxygen bleach as if it's on steroids really helping to restore the whites.

"Elmer I'm curious as to why you find it necessary at times to take yucky stuff to a laundramat? A Miele should be able to handle the yuck unless of course its oil/grease/petrol that sort of yuck"

Just as I wouldn't take my new car to the garden supply store and load the trunk with loose compost or manure, I don't put yucky items (soiled with what you mention and other stuff) into my Miele and prefer to take such things to a laundromat.

Put it in a huge garbage bag, or a tote that will easily hold it. Put some regular or activated charcoal in with it. The charcoal will absorb the smoke. And any other odors that may be clinging to it, along with any bacteria. It also works on refrigerators that have had something spoil in them, or the rotten milk smell from spilled milk on car carpets........ Might take a week or two, and changing the charcoal, but it will come out.

ChiSue, I know you're only in Hawaii for about three months each Winter. How long until you leave to return to Chicago? I'm thinking that these suggestions that take a week or more may not be feasible for you this time.

Bring it to a dry cleaner. They'll probably be able to get the smell out.

Thanks, all! Yes, we are home in Chicagoland now, but I hope I can try some of these great-sounding remedies when we get back to the condo next January. I've double-bagged the spread and put it in Owner Storage. I've told our cleaner to inform me if she starts to smell it, in which case it will have to go 'home' to the Salvation Army for someone else to puzzle over. I wish I'd known that I could try charcoal or baking soda -- they could be *working* while we are gone!

Meanwhile I am using a very nice -- not AS nice -- plain coral spread and shams that I got at Macy's "on sale". ($80).

Brushworks -- Do you know what is the active ingredient in the OdoBan? (Love the Q & A's that ask if you can wash your dog in it! heehee)

Components [OdoBan]Weight Percent
Water (CAS No. 7732-18-5) >90.0
Isopropanol (CAS No. 67-63-0) 4.0
Alkyl (C12-16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (CAS No. 68424-85-1)

I smoked many years ago, and learned some cleaning tips. Before painting, I would wash walls and woodwork with a mixture of a pine cleaner (like Pine Sol) and water. Smoke residue is almost oily (the tar, I think?)...and Pine Sol cuts it where other cleaners will not. I also washed my Oreck air cleaner elements in the same solution, and they really came clean! Maybe you could add Pine Sol to the laundry detergent? Whatever you use, I hope you're successful!

Thanks, albert. I should have asked *how* the active ingredients remove the odor. Do you know?

Chisue,

OdoBan MSDS