Households across the UK are being urged to follow a 30 minute laundry rule from November.
Bonfire Night is now less than a week away which means fireworks displays will start to be held up and down the country from early November to mark the occasion. While the displays are fun to watch, they do come with the unpleasant after effect of leaving a lingering smell of smoke in all of your clothes. Often, a normal wash isn’t quite enough to get rid of the strong odour so laundry experts are urging households to pre-treat clothes before throwing them in the washing machine in November to banish that pungent smoky smell.
According to laundry experts, a simple home remedy is the answer to removing the smell of smoke from clothes, and all you need is some baking soda.
Baking soda is a natural product that is effective at removing odours as it neutralises smells, rather than masking them like scented fabric conditioners.
Experts at Snif explain: “Baking soda isn’t just for baking — it’s also a great product to use to deodorise your laundry. The bad odour coming from your clothes may be coming from bacteria, and some laundry detergents aren’t powerful enough to break down stubborn bacteria and need a little assistance.
“Baking soda gives detergent a boost in the odour-fighting department. It works by regulating the water’s pH level in your washer, keeping it from becoming too acidic.”
The natural ingredient can be added directly to your washing machine along with your regular detergent to de-odourise clothes as they wash, but for more stubborn smells, like bonfire smoke, experts recommend pre-soaking clothes in a solution of hot water and baking soda for 30 minutes before washing in the machine.
Adam Norris, Senior Product Manager for Laundry at Hotpoint, said: “When your clothes have absorbed smoky smells, it’s best to avoid putting them straight into the washing machine. Clothes which have lingering smells of bonfire smoke need to be pre-treated.
“Baking soda and white vinegar are great at-home remedies for absorbing odours before machine washing – and can be picked up at your local supermarket for just a few pounds.
“You can also use detergents designed to tackle strong smells if you have them on hand, as these work well for breaking down smoke particles. Just make sure you always check the care labels on your clothes first.
“If you choose to use baking soda, sprinkle a small amount directly onto the clothes that you are pre-treating, focusing on areas like sleeves and underarms, which often absorb more smoke. Wait 30 minutes for the solution to absorb the odour, then place the clothing in your washing machine. Just make sure you always check the care labels on your clothes first.”
Once your clothes have soaked in the solution for 30 minutes, experts advise selecting a warmer temperature on your washing machine and an extended cycle to ensure the smoky odours are banished.
Norris added: “Smoke particles tend to be oily. Using warm water helps break these particles down more effectively than cold water. It’s best to select the warmest water temperature that’s safe for the fabric, as indicated on the care labels, to protect your clothes.
“It’s also a good idea to use an extended wash cycle when removing the smell of bonfire smoke. The extra time allows your washing machine to thoroughly work through the fabric and eliminate smoke odours more effectively than a standard cycle.”