As the nights draw in, many of us enjoy the warmth and camaraderie of a bonfire. But that cosy evening often comes with a stubborn downside: the pervasive smell of wood smoke that clings to your clothing long after the flames have died down.
This lingering odour can be incredibly difficult to shift with a normal wash, leaving your jumpers and coats smelling like a fireplace. Fortunately, a laundry expert has shared some surprisingly simple changes to your washing routine that can effectively banish the smell for good.
The Most Crucial First Step
Heather Nixon, Sustainability and Regulatory Manager at eco-cleaning brand Bio-D, has revealed her top tips for tackling smoky garments. Her first piece of advice is absolutely vital for success.
"If you have a piece of clothing that stinks of wood smoke, the most crucial thing is to wash it separately from your other garments," advises Nixon. This step serves a dual purpose: it prevents the smoky odour from cross-contaminating your clean laundry and allows for a more intensive, focused wash on the affected items.
Adjust Your Wash Temperature and Detergent
Once you've isolated the smoky clothes, the next step is to crank up the heat. Clothes carrying a bonfire scent should be washed at a higher temperature, provided the care label on the garment permits it.
"I'd typically recommend choosing a warmer washing machine cycle - if safe according to your item's care label," Heather advised. "Choosing a warmer temperature when washing can help loosen the smoke particles that have attached onto the material fibres and more effectively remove the lingering smell."
Your choice of detergent can also make a significant difference. Using a fragranced laundry liquid and fabric conditioner can be beneficial, especially if they contain certain essential oils.
"I'd also recommend using a fragranced laundry liquid and fabric conditioner if possible," Heather added. "Products fragranced with lavender oil, for example, have natural odour neutralising qualities."
The Final Step for a Fresh Finish
Even after a thorough wash, some odours might persist. For this, Heather suggests a natural finishing touch: air-drying your clothes outdoors.
"Air-drying clothes that smell of smoke after washing can help to lift any remaining odours," she advised. "Choose a dry but breezy day to help speed up the drying process whilst removing the smell of smoke."
This combination of separating clothes, washing at a warmer temperature with a fragranced detergent, and finishing with an air-dry outdoors provides a powerful, multi-pronged attack on even the most stubborn bonfire smells.
