Getting tobacco/ smoke smell out of vintage dress

Vlk94

Vlk94

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Hi everyone,

what is your best advice for getting out the smell of stall tobacco/ cigarette smoke out of a vintage dress? Its a late 1960's shift dress. It doesn't seem too fragile.

Thanks everyone!
 
I've read soaking it in a water/ vinegar mix overnight will help, curious if anyones done this!
 
Try hanging it outside on a mildly breezy day if you don't want to wash it, about 6 hrs usually works for me.
 
Thanks guys! Its a black dress that continues to bleed the color of tobacco when being hand washed.. Its unfortunate because its a very cute dress.

Sadly, there isn't anywhere I can really hang the dress outdoors.. I'm in an apartment in an urban area. I'll look into Borax.

Thanks again for the help, guys!
 
Unfortunately, there are no windows in the bathroom but I can try it in our bedroom window. Whenever I wash it, it bleeds the color of tobacco, a light brown.. the union label is also a light brown color. Sadly, every time I wash it I feel like I'm not making any progress. I've tried Oxyclean and regular detergent, also vinegar. Does anyone have a suggestion for what else I can wash it with?
 
Haha Claire, so true!

It is polyester. It's such a shame. I can't believe a dress could hold smoke like this.

Thanks again for the help everyone!
 
One of the things we've forgotten is that some polyester also retained body odors and they too were difficult and often impossible to remove.

You might consider washing it in Baking Soda--an old-fashioned odor absorbent.

Sadly, the woman who wore it originally had lost most of her sense of smell and had no idea how badly her dress smelled.

I was surprised many years ago when a sewing editor told me she used to sew. I commented that it made your clothes smell so bad. She said when you smoke you don't notice the odor on your clothes. I would add your house, etc.

Good luck. Claire
 
There is a product called Zero Odor Molecular Odor Eliminator that you can order from Amazon. It says you can use it on dog beds, shoes--no mention of tobacco. Please let us know if it works.
 
Washing with dishwasher powder was recommended to take odor out of early Dacron garments. I don't know if it would work now.
Marian
 
Marion, was that the old diswasher powder or the new stuff that doesn't clean well?

Is this a problem in Canada? Next time I buy something maybe I should have some dishwasher detergent put in. Claire
 
It was whatever type of dishwasher powder was available in the late 1940's, early 1950's. I am sure the formula has changed due to environmental concerns and may not be as effective now. Just an idea.
Marian
 
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