How to Get Cigar Smell Out of Clothes – With & Without Washing

Smoking cigars is a highly pleasurable experience, based around relaxation and luxury. Removing the smell of smoke from your clothes afterwards? Not so much.

Cigar smoke is thick and heavy, meaning it can embed itself deep into garments. This makes it difficult to remove and unlikely to come out in a regular wash. Thankfully, there are some techniques you can use to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

In this article, we’ll run you through these techniques and how they differ depending on the fabric. We’ll also guide you toward how you can prevent the smell of cigar smoke from staining your clothes in the future.

How to Get Cigar Smell Out of Clothes Without Washing

The removal of cigar smells from clothes doesn’t always require a full wash. There are a handful of methods to rejuvenate your clothes. These include aeration, steam, odor-absorbing substances, and spray solutions. These methods are best for delicate or dry-clean only items.

Aeration

The simplest method of removing cigar smells from clothes is aeration. Fresh air is a natural deodorizer, as it can pass through small gaps in fabric. When aerating clothes outdoors, be careful to not hang them in direct sunlight for too long. This can cause colors to fade and fabrics to become stiff.

Steam

Handheld steamers are excellent at penetrating fibers and removing odors from clothes. They are simple to use and don’t require you to wait for a day or two to see results. If you don’t have a steamer, you can hang clothes in the bathroom, although results will be slower.

Odor Absorbers

Baking soda and activated charcoal are excellent odor absorbers. Baking soda neutralizes odors through chemical reactions, converting smells into less potent odors. Activated charcoal works slightly differently, instead trapping smells through absorption like a sponge.

You can sprinkle the two substances directly onto the clothes or place them in a sealed bag for two days.

Spray

Mixing white vinegar with water and spraying it over clothes is an effective way of removing odors. If you don’t have vinegar, you can instead mix water with lemon juice or vodka for similar results.

How to Wash Clothes to Remove Cigar Smell Completely

Washing clothes to remove cigar smells requires more preparation than regular washes. Here is a short, step-by-step process for how to get rid of the cigar smell.

1. Pre-soak the clothes

When pre-soaking your clothes, prepare an equal solution of hot water and white vinegar. Soak the clothes in the solution for at least an hour, or overnight if the smells are strong. You can also use one cup of baking soda mixed with hot water. If you opt for baking soda, soak the clothes in the solution overnight.

2. Machine washing

As well as the clothes, add an enzyme-based detergent to the drum. You can also add a cup of baking soda to the drum, or half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. 

Washing with warm water will help to eliminate odor particles. However, you should always take note of the care labels on the garments. You may need to run a second wash before you enter the drying phase.

3. Air drying

It’s important to dry the clothes in fresh air rather than in the dryer to make sure smells don’t linger. Light clothes can be hung in direct sunlight, as UV rays do help eliminate odors. However, they shouldn’t be in direct sunlight for too long, as it can cause fabrics to stiffen. 

If you put the clothes in the dryer straight away, the heat risks setting odor particles into fibers. Only use the dryer once you’re certain the smell has gone.

Best Methods by Fabric Type

Different fabrics require slightly different methods of cleaning. Here is a run through of removing cigar odors from a variety of different fabrics.

Cotton and everyday fabrics

To remove cigar smoke odors from cotton, prepare a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply the paste to the strongest smelling areas of the clothing item and let it sit for half an hour. Then, turn the item inside out before putting it in the washing machine.

Add half a cup of baking soda to the drum, along with a heavy detergent. Washing the clothes in warm water will work better, as heat breaks down molecules.

Dry the clothes in open air and not a dryer. The heat from the dryer will likely cause odor molecules to embed and set into the clothes.

If you don’t have baking soda, consider using a white vinegar and water solution instead.

Wool and suits

For non-washable suits, the key to removing the smell of cigar smoke requires aeration. Hang the suit in a shaded area for one to two days, before using a steamer on the inside and outside of the jacket.

After airing the suit out, place baking soda packets near the suit in a sealed garment bag. These will absorb and neutralize odor-producing molecules.

If your suit is washable, pre-soak it with a water and white vinegar solution for a few hours. Then wash it on a gentle cycle in cool water, adding regular detergent into your washing machine. After washing, hang the suit outside, preferably in direct sunlight.

Leather and jackets

To wash the smell of cigar smoke out of leather and jackets, you’ll need to use odor-absorbing agents. Your options here are either baking soda or activated charcoal. To start with, make sure you hang the clothing item outside for 24 to 48 hours. 

Then, sprinkle a good amount of your absorbing agent over the item and let it sit for up to two days. Brush or vacuum the agent off of the item when this time is up. To complete the cleaning process, wipe the jacket down with a white vinegar and water solution. Then let it dry completely.

Synthetic and performance fabrics

Like most fabrics, synthetic and performance fabrics require airing. This time, the airing needs to take place before the actual wash as well as after. Hang the clothes outside, after turning them inside out, for hours, or for a couple of days.

Then, pre-soak the clothes in a white vinegar or baking soda and water solution. After this, put the clothes in the washing machine with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Wash in a gentle cycle and don’t use fabric softeners, as they can trap odors. If the smell remains after the wash, go through the pre-soak and washing process again. 

Finally, dry the clothes outside and not in a dryer, as that may cause lingering odors to set.

How to Remove Cigar Smell From Coats, Jackets, and Suits

Coats, jackets, and suits are often harder to rid of cigar smoke odor. This is because of the density of the fibers they’re made of, trapping smoke particles deep below the surface. 

As a result, they need extra care when cleaning, particularly when it comes to hanging them up outside. In some cases, it’s best to take the garment to a professional cleaner rather than using home methods.

Hanging methods for air drying

Your jacket should be hung on a sturdy hanger outdoors to maximize airflow. The area you hang the jacket in should be free from moisture, and not overly exposed to sunlight. 

Applying odor-neutralizing agents such as a white vinegar solution will also decrease odors. You can also use a steamer on the hanging jacket, which will open up the fabric, allowing smells to escape.

Professional cleaning

Sometimes, it’s best to leave the cleaning process in the hands of a professional. It’s best to seek help when odors are deeply embedded or home methods just haven’t worked. 

You should consider professional cleaning when the garment is particularly expensive or sentimental. Delicate fabrics such as silk or velvet also respond better to professional treatment.

How to Prevent Cigar Smell from Sticking to Clothes in the Future

With a handful of measures, you can stop cigar smell from sticking to your clothes. These include:

• Choosing an appropriate room: Poor ventilation causes smoke particles to settle rather than dispersing into the air. Smoking in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, will prevent this. 
• Changing your clothes: Changing into a smoking outfit prevents your regular clothes from picking up odors. Smoking jackets are popular, especially those made of velvet or silk. 
• Shower after smoking: Cigar smells will also cling to your hair and skin. Showering after smoking will prevent particles transferring to other outfits you change into.
• Proper cigar storage: Storing your cigars properly will maintain their quality and produce a cleaner burn. As a result, the smoke they produce will be less potent and intense. While this won’t prevent cigar smells from sticking to clothes, it will reduce the intensity of the odors.

Experience the Finest Cigar Smells With Swiss Cuban Cigars

Now you’ve prepared the ventilation in your room and invested in a smoking jacket, it’s time to replenish your cigar collection. At Swiss Cuban Cigars, we have a world-class range of cigars sourced from Cuba and beyond.

We have options suitable for all tastes, preferences, and budgets. So whether you’re looking for a mild torpedo or a full-bodied robusto, we’ve got you covered.

Browse our selection today to find your new favorite cigar.