How to Get a Smoke Smell out of Fabric Handbags

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 1, 2021

Handbags are a popular accessory, which are often carried everywhere you go. If you find yourself in a smoke-filled room, that odor can make it's way into your handbag, and be difficult to get rid of. The trick is to get the smell of smoke out of your handbag without damaging the fabric.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing Your Handbag

1
Fill a sink or tub with cool water. Warm water can shrink or damage the fabric of your handbag. Fill the sink or tub with enough water to fully submerge your bag. Leave room to work the fabric with your hands.^{[1]
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2
Use a laundry soap which is created for delicate fabrics. Soap with bleach will fade the colors in your bag. Harsh chemicals wear on the fabric. Delicate soaps are created to protect your fabrics from damage and fading.^{[2]
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- Dr. Bronners and Woolite are a couple of examples of soaps to use with delicate fabrics.
- Use about a tablespoon of detergent and mix it around in the water before adding your bag to make sure the soap is dispersed in the water.^{[3]
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- Check for a care instructions label inside your handbag. This will give you information on what kind of soap to use on your particular fabric, as well as warnings if you should not wet the fabric.
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3
Submerge your bag in the soapy water. Make sure that every pocket of your handbag is empty, then push the entire bag under the water until it is fully submerged.
- If you are worried about the effect the soap may have on your fabric, test it on a small part of your bag before submerging the bag in water. Choose a portion which is least visible, like the inside or bottom of the bag.
4
Work the water and detergent into the handbag. Using your hands, gently knead the bag for several minutes to work the water and detergent into every part of the bag. Let the bag rest in the water for another several minutes to soak up the detergent.^{[4]
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5
Rinse your bag with clean, cool water. Completely drain the sink or tub, then rinse it clean to be rid of all of the detergent and dirty water. Refill the tub with cool water and swish it around to rinse it completely.^{[5]
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- Repeat this process several times until you feel all of the detergent has been rinsed from the bag and it does not look or feel soapy.
6
Dry your handbag by releasing water and lying it flat on a towel. Lift the bag out of the water after the final rinse. Gently squeeze out as much excess water as you safely can without damaging the bag. Reshape your bag and lie it on a clean towel until it is dry.^{[6]
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- Try rolling your bag in a clean towel to remove more of the excess water after squeezing it out. Use another clean, dry towel to lie the bag flat and allow it to finish drying on its own.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Neutralizing the Odor

1
Find a bag or container which is larger than your handbag. You will want enough room in this container to fit your bag and leave extra space for air and movement.^{[7]
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- Try a large paper or plastic bag, or a large storage container.
- Be sure that you can seal the container with your handbag inside.
2
Add an odor absorbing material to the container. There are a couple of items useful for absorbing odor, which can be found in your home. Choose one which works best for your needs and add it to the container to take the odor out of your bag. You will want to dispose of this material after you use it.^{[8]
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- Unused, ground coffee is great at absorbing odors and does not need to be shaken onto your bag. Simply place a bowl of coffee grounds in a paper bag with your handbag. You can wrap the grounds in a coffee filter to keep the grounds from getting into your bag.
- Place half a cup of baking soda in the container with your bag and shake it until your handbag is covered with baking soda.
3
Leave your bag overnight in a closed container with the odor absorbing material. Be sure to give the odor eater time to absorb the smoke smell from your handbag. This will take at least one night to clear the smell of smoke out of your bag.^{[9]
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- If the smell of smoke persists, replace the coffee or baking soda with a fresh batch and leave it for another night.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Airing Out Your Handbag

1
Find a place where you have good air flow. The best option for airing the smoke smell out of your handbag is hanging it outside. If this is not an option, you can create air flow using a fan.^{[10]
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2
Hang a rope or string in an airy space. If you already have a clothesline, you can use that. You may need to create a clothesline by stringing a sturdy rope between two secure items. Tie the rope with a secure knot to avoid slipping once you add the weight of your bag.
3
Attach your bag to the rope using clothespins. Clothespins are your best option for hanging the bag without damaging the fabric. Hang the bag as flat as possible to allow the most surface area to catch the air flow.^{[11]
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4
Leave the bag in the air overnight. You will want to give the bag at least a day to fully air out the smell of smoke. If the smell still remains after the first day, consider trying to increase the air flow with a fan, and leave it to air out for another day.^{[12]
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Warnings

Chemicals, improperly applied, can ruin the purse. Test the fabric in an inconspicuous place before you apply chemicals.

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