How to Get the Cigarette Smell Out of Pillows

Cigarette smoke odor can be persistent.

There are a few common deodorizing techniques that, when combined, will get rid of that persistent cigarette odor and get your pillows smelling fresh and clean again.

1. Place the pillow in a bag, and pour baking soda over the pillow. About 1 cup will do the trick, but there's really no such thing as too much baking soda in this case.

2. Shake the bag vigorously to help the baking soda permeate the pillow. Unless the outer layer of fabric on your pillow is quite porous, don't be shocked if you're left with a large amount of baking soda left in the bottom of the bag. Shift the bag so the pillow is sitting on the baking soda.

3. Allow the pillow to remain in the bag overnight. You do not have to seal the bag. In the morning, take the pillow outside, and shake the baking soda out of it.

4. Hang the pillow from a clothesline outside during a sunny, breezy day. The warm air will circulate through the pillow and blow out the cigarette smell.

5. Place the pillow in your dryer with two or three of your favorite dryer sheets. Set the dryer to a non-heated setting. Run the pillow through one or two drying cycles. When you are finished, the pillow will be odor-free. If the smell lingers, repeat the entire process until the smell is completely gone.

Tip

You can also use deodorizing sprays, or make one yourself using 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Use a commercial or homemade spray before you hang the pillow outside.