How to Get Campfire Smoke Smell Out of Clothes

For ordinary campfire smoke, start with fresh air, then wash the garment according to its care label. Check it before drying. If the scent remains, repeat the wash instead of covering it with fragrance. A coat that cannot be washed needs a different route, and clothing exposed to a building fire or wildfire ash needs more caution than a sweatshirt worn beside a backyard fire.

First, decide what kind of smoke reached the clothes

A faint woodsmoke scent after an evening outdoors is usually a laundry problem. Visible ash, soot, heavy smoke exposure, or damage from a house fire is a different situation. Do not use this everyday routine as a substitute for local public health guidance after a wildfire or structural fire. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advises handling soot outdoors with protection and repeating washing if smoke odor remains.

What to do after a campfire

1. Let the garment air out

Hang the piece in moving air before putting it in a closet or laundry basket. If you are still camping, keep smoky day clothes separate from clean night clothes. Columbia Sportswear's campfire care guide recommends outdoor air as a first step, while noting that washing is the more effective remedy when the smell persists.

2. Read the care label before choosing water or detergent

The label determines whether the item belongs in a machine, needs hand washing, or calls for professional care. The US Federal Trade Commission's care label guidance explains why those instructions matter for water temperature and drying. Do not assume a smoky sweater can tolerate a hotter cycle. Check pockets, closures, trims, and any visible ember damage before washing.

3. Wash, then smell before drying

For a washable garment, use an appropriate detergent and the cycle and water temperature allowed by its label. Give the item enough room to move in the washer. If the smell survives one cycle, wash again. The American Cleaning Institute recommends laundering washable smoke affected fabrics and hand washing where appropriate. Let the garment air dry while you assess it. Do not send a still smoky item straight into a hot dryer simply to finish the job faster.

What if the item cannot be washed today?

Air it in a safe, shaded place with good circulation. This may make a lightly smoky jacket more comfortable to wear again, but it is not the same as removing residue through cleaning. For a coat marked for professional cleaning, follow the label and tell the cleaner about the smoke exposure. Avoid spraying perfume over the scent. That adds another smell without addressing the source. Our guide to removing perfume smell from clothes covers fragrance as a separate problem.

When should you stop and get help?

If you see soot, find burned fibers, or suspect exposure to a house fire or wildfire, keep the item separate from ordinary laundry and consult local public health or professional cleaning advice. Do not treat ash covered clothing as an ordinary bonfire souvenir. The American Red Cross advises following garment instructions and testing any proposed treatment when cleaning after a fire.

For everyday pieces, the simplest sequence is air, read the label, wash, inspect, and repeat only if needed. If a sweatshirt needs a regular wash after an outdoor night, see our hoodie washing guide for the garment specific steps.

Explore more practical clothing care in Materials & Care.

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