You’ve returned from your relaxing weekend campfire! However, a little sniff reveals some musty smells emerging from your hair or body.
The smoke from the fire can seep hair, a hoodie, or even your favorite pair of jeans as you sit around a raging campfire with your family and friends. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done to prevent it in the first place.
However, there are several simple techniques to get rid of the musty smell after a bonfire. Follow the below methods for getting rid of the campfire smell from your hair and clothes.
How to Get Campfire Smell Out of Clothes
Now, one of the most concerning issues would be getting rid of the campfire smell of clothes. Here are 4 simple ways you can do this.
1. Adding vinegar with regular detergent
Vinegar is an excellent deodorizer. Put a cup of vinegar in the washing machine with your detergent. And thus, your garments will not only smell better, but they may also feel better. Vinegar can also be used instead of fabric softeners, reducing the number of chemicals in your washing machine.
2. Using baking soda while cleaning
If vinegar isn’t available or doesn’t work, you can also try baking soda. Baking soda’s sodium bicarbonate may absorb aromas, and it can even remove the smell of campfire smoke from your garments.
3. Using hot water to soak garments
Don’t doubt the ability of hot water to permeate materials and remove odors. This procedure can be used alone or in conjunction with the previous 2 methods. It’s good to soak your garments in warm water before cleaning them.
4. Using a bio-enzymatic treatment
While RV tanks and carpets are two of the most typical applications for Bio-Enzymatic treatments, they can also be used to remove the smell of a campfire off clothing. Any washable material, including fabrics, can benefit from these treatments.
The enzymes force their way through crevices and fiber, completely removing stains and odors. They’re widely used to remove pet odors from carpets–and anything that can accomplish that feat can certainly assist with campfire odors!
How to Get Rid of Campfire Smell in Hair
Lastly, if you have enough water available to wash your hair, you can get rid of the campfire smell by following these 3 simple steps:
1. Spraying citrus
This revitalizing spray will not only offer you a lift. But it will deodorize your smoky tresses.
- First, fill a spray bottle with water.
- After that, squeeze the lemon, lime, or orange peel into the water.
- Allow the water to absorb the citrus flavors for 25-30 minutes.
- Then spray it evenly on your hair.
- As your hair dries, the citric acid will eliminate odor.
2. Cocktail mixture hair treatment
- In a spray bottle, combine equal parts of water and vodka.
- Coat your hair completely with the mixture from all angles.
- It should take around 20-30 minutes for the smoke to fade.
- And when this happens, the smoky scent will go as well.
3. Apple cider vinegar spray treatment
Finally, combine 1 part shampoo and 1 part apple cider vinegar in a mixing bowl. Rinse it thoroughly after washing your hair with it. It will have a strong vinegar scent. But it will wash out and leave your hair shiny.
How to Get Rid of Campfire Smell from Hair without Washing
The first thing to figure out whether you have access to water or not. If not, that means you cannot wash right away. In such a situation, follow the below steps:
1. Using dry shampoo
Although dry shampoo has been popular for ages, it’s made a comeback in recent years again. It saves you water, time, and money when you use it. It can also help you avoid stinking from a campfire after a nice weekend camping trip.
Simply follow the directions on the package to use dry shampoo on hair and enjoy clean, scented hair until you can go back to running water.
2. Sunlight and fresh air exposure
It doesn’t get any easier than this! Allow your hair to breathe by going outside into the fresh air. If your hair is long or curly, spread out your hair to let the fresh air in so that the smokey odor can escape. Within an hour or so, you’ll notice a difference.
3. Use dryer shit to rub your hair
Dryer sheets are no longer limited to clothes. Bring a handful in a small baggie with you on your camping trip and use them to freshen up your campfire-smelling hair. Your hair will be free of frizz and wavy with the dryer sheet’s capacity to control static!
Learn More: Best Places to Find Cheap Firewood for Camping
Conclusion
Campfires might conjure pleasant memories of the past. However, the smoky stench can wear you down after a while. The scent of a bonfire can evoke thoughts of nostalgia in certain people.
For some, the scent of a bonfire can trigger a migraine and difficulty in breathing. If you’re the latter, a gas fire pit may be a better option than a regular campfire. A propane fire pit minimizes campfire odors.
But eventually, it is quite common to catch the smoky campfire smell after a whole day of campfire trip. With our tips, you can easily get rid of the campfire smell from your hair or clothes.
So, follow them not to let the smell ruin the camping experience during weekends and holidays.
FAQ
Will the campfire smell go away?
After the fire has entirely burned out, the scent of a campfire in the air dissipates quickly. However, you might still smell it because it lingers on nearby objects such as your tent, furnishings, clothing, and hair.
How long does it take for the campfire smell to go away?
Campfires are frequently held outside. As a result, when the fire goes out, you will need to allow the air to fade out the smell within 20 to 25 minutes.
How do you get rid of campfire smell without washing your hair?
Removing the campfire smell from hair without washing may seem complicated. But there are 3 ways you can do it, which are:
- Use dry shampoo.
- Use a dryer sheet.
- Letting the air and sunlight work their magic.


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