World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of January 3, 2000:
Our question this week comes from Tina Horn
How do you remove the smell of cigarettes from a vintage quilt top?
Tommie Conner :
I had two quilt tops that had a terrible musty smell and I believe some smoking smell also, as my parents were smokers, and it came from their place. I folded the quilt top and put fabric softner sheets inbetween several of the folds and into a closed zip lock bag. After a couple of weeks the smell was gone. It seemed to work and the tops are now quilts.
franny :
The best way is to lay it outside on a
white sheet, covered with a white sheet
on a cool, breezy day. It is best if you
can gently wash it first with orvus soap. Or you can use the sprays that remove odors if all else fails.
Lucy Schroepfer :
Soak in Vinegar- Wash/Rinse--Gently as you would any vintage qult top
Carol :
I would try putting the top in a plastic container with some dry soda (Arm & Hammer) I would also include some news Paper. The paper does absorbe order. Put on the container top and let it stay for a week or so.
Carmen :
I use the following method for removing bad odors: put a bag of volcanic rock (sold as car or closet freshener) and the item in a plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and leave both items in it for about a month. The volcanic rock will absorb the bad odors. If you use this method, you may want to put a piece of muslin between the volcanic rock bag and your quilt top.
Carolyn :
I would NOT use Febreze as it has "bleached"
some of my fabrics.
PGallaway@Webtv.net :
Airing thoroughly out of doors, weather permitting obviously. It can take more than just one airing to do the job particularly if the quilt top has spent quite a bit of time in a cigarette-smoke filled environment. Be persistent though and keep at it, and the smell will eventually go completely away.
Gina Graves :
Well, my recommendation would be to contact a company who specializes in getting rid of smoke smells. I work for a company in my home town that takes care of contents from house fires. Also try a good dry cleaner who is able to get the smoke smell out of clothing. Make sure they have lots of experience doing this. I hope this helps!!!
Eleanor :
Try the new Fabreze spray, but on a small spot at first. I think it is completely safe, then hang outside to air on an overcast day.
Edna Pilcher :
Airing the quilt outdoors usually helps. Hang it over something sturdy in a spot out of direct sunshine. If this doesn't help, wrap in tissue paper, then in newspaper. The black-and-white pages will absorb odors. The tissue paper will keep ink from getting on the fabric. Leave it a few days and the odor should be gone.
lynette :
You might try making a fairly large bag of tulle, putting the top in it, and putting it in the dryer on the air only - no heat - setting.
M. Palmer :
I've heard that if you place dryer sheets in old books, the smell goes away. Does this work with quilts,too? Actually, I air my quilts outside on the grass -- not in direct sunlight. Half an hour to an hour usually freshens them up.
Quilter@usa.com :
Fresh air (not sunlight) is the only "cure" I know!
Linda B :
How about using Arm & Hammer (Brand Name) for smoking?Place some in a container and enclose with quilt. Should absorb the smoke smell. A small dish around the house helps.
Ann Edwards :
For the record the best and almost the only way to rid the quilt of cig smake is to air the quilt, The other suggestion because it is a top only is to very gently wash it in Zero or another delicate soap and water
World Wide Quilting Page * Question of the Week