Every time you come back from a camping trip, not only is your tent easily dirty, but it also often stinks.
If someone smokes in the tent, the smell of cigarette smoke will stick around in the tent for many days and won’t go away.
If you don’t smoke, the smell will be even more unbearable.
If this happens, don’t panic and toss out that stinky tent just yet.
Fortunately, This guide will show you a few ways to eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke from your tent.
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Why It’s Crucial to Remove Cigarette Smell？
Whether you smoke or not, you should know that smoking is bad for your health. Cigarette smoke can stick to everything it touches. This includes your clothes, your hair, and even your tent. The smell of cigarette smoke can be really strong, and it can make it hard to sleep or relax in your tent.
Not only does cigarette smoke smell bad, but it can also be harmful to your health.
According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including 70 that are known to cause cancer.
When you breathe in cigarette smoke or secondhand smoke (SHS), you’re exposing yourself to these harmful chemicals.
If it takes a long time, it can increase your chances of getting lung cancer, heart disease, and other serious health problems.
How Cigarette Smoke Permeates Tent Materials？
If you’re a smoker or have been around smokers, you know how powerful cigarette smoke can be. It doesn’t just harm human health, it can also permeate your tent.
The smell of cigarette smoke can seep into almost anything, including your tent. Once that smoke smell gets into the fabric of your tent, it can be tough to get rid of.
Cigarette smoke is made up of these tiny particles that can easily get through the fabric of your tent.
These particles can stick to the fibers of your tent’s fabric, making it hard to get rid of the smell. And the longer the smoke sticks around, the harder it is to remove the smell.
The type of fabric your tent is made of can also affect how easily it absorbs cigarette smoke. Natural fabrics like cotton or canvas are more likely to hold onto the smell than synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon.
And don’t forget, the way you store your tent can also make a difference. If you keep it in a room with smokers or near smoking stuff, it’s more likely to soak up that cigarette smoke smell.
11 Ways to Get Cigarette Smell Out of A Tent
Now you have the lowdown on how cigarettes mess with your body and cling to your tent.
So, how do you effectively kick the cigarette stench out of your tent? Don’t worry, there are ways.
Check out the ten methods below that’ll show you how to get rid of those odors without wrecking your tent.
1. Citric
Citric, also known as citric acid. It is a colorless, weak organic acid, it is an environmentally friendly cleaner at the same time. Citric acid is a natural preservative found naturally in citrus fruits, so you can buy citric acid powder at most health food stores or online.
Using citric acid is one of the easiest ways to remove cigarette smell from a tent.
Mix a tablespoon of citric acid powder with a gallon of water and soak your tent in the solution for a few hours. Then wait for it to dry.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar and White Vinegar Soaking and Spray
Vinegar is often used as an eco-friendly household cleaner, with white vinegar being more used. The smell of apple cider vinegar is not as strong as white vinegar.
They can all be used to clean stains on fabric surfaces, and are cheap and easy to obtain.
The method of use is simple, either soaking or spraying.
Mix one cup of vinegar with one gallon of water, then soak your tent in the solution for a few hours, warm water works better.
You can also mix vinegar with a certain proportion of water, add it to a spray bottle, and spray the tent thoroughly. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth.
3. Enzyme Cleaner
Enzyme cleaner is a super cleaning product that has special enzymes. It can break down and get rid of icky organic stains and smells.
These enzymes are made to target and break down the tiny particles that make stains and smells, like ones from pee, sweat, food, and even yucky cigarette smoke.
Just follow the instructions on the cleaner and use it to clean your tent. Mix the Enzyme Cleaner with one gallon of warm water, following the ratio.
Make sure the water isn’t too hot because high temperatures can mess up the enzymes and make them not work as well.
Then let your tent soak in the mixture for a few hours, when you’re done, rinse it really well with water and hang it up to dry.
4. Lemon Juice
Lemon Juice is a pretty common drink in our everyday lives, but it’s also a effective eco-friendly cleaner.
Just like vinegar, lemon juice is also acidic.
The acid in lemon juice can actually help get rid of stains and odors, including that pesky smell of cigarette smoke, from all sorts of surfaces, including tents.
Additionally, lemon juice has natural antibacterial properties that can help eliminate bacteria and germs.
All you gotta do is mix lemon juice with the same amount of water in a spray bottle and give that tent a good spray.
Let the mixture sit on the tent fabric for a bit, then just wipe it off with a clean cloth.
Finally, give that tent a good rinse with plenty of water and hang it up to dry.
5. A Natural Detergent + Handwashing
If your tent is small enough, you can try washing it by hand.
Look for a natural detergent that is free from harsh chemicals and fragrances.
Fill a large container or bathtub with warm water. Add a gentle natural detergent specifically designed for outdoor gear.
Submerge the tent in the cleaning solution and gently agitate it to ensure the water penetrates all areas. Allow it to soak for about 15-20 minutes.
Use a soft brush or sponge to scrub the tent gently. Pay extra attention to areas with stains or odor.
Drain the water and refill the container with clean water. Rinse the tent thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent.
Hang the tent in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Leave it to air dry completely before packing it away.
6. Air-Freshener
Air fresheners are very common in our lives. There are tons of air fresheners on the market that are specially made to get rid of cigarette smoke. You have options like sprays, plug-ins, or solid air fresheners.
Before using the air freshener, make sure to open up all the windows and doors of the tent to let fresh air flow in. Read the instructions on the air freshener packaging and follow them as instructed.
This might include spraying the air freshener around the tent, plugging in the device, or placing the solid air freshener in a good spot.
Make sure the air freshener is spread evenly all over the tent. Leave the air freshener to do its thing for the recommended time mentioned on the packaging. That way, it gets enough time to get rid of the cigarette smell.
Remember, air fresheners are meant to hide odors, so it’s important to also clean and deodorize the tent to address the main cause of the cigarette smell.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white powdery stuff that is commonly used in baking, cleaning, and personal care. It has alkaline properties and can act as a cleaning thing due to its deodorizing powers. It can help remove stains and get rid of bad smells.
Just sprinkle baking soda all over the inside of the tent. Pay extra attention to areas that smell like cigarettes.
Use a soft brush or broom to gently spread the baking soda and make sure it covers the whole tent.
Seal up the tent and let the baking soda sit for at least 24 hours or longer. This gives it enough time to soak up the cigarette smell.
After the time is up, open up the tent and either vacuum the baking soda or shake it off outside.
Put the tent in a well-ventilated area or outside and let it air out for a few hours.
8. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a form of carbon that has been processed to have a large surface area and numerous small pores.
Activated charcoal is known for its adsorption properties, meaning it can bind to and trap toxins, chemicals, and odors.
In the context of removing cigarette smell from a tent, activated charcoal can be used as an odor absorber.
If you have loose activated charcoal, place it in a bowl or container and crush any large chunks to create smaller granules.
Fill the container or bag with the activated charcoal, leaving enough space for air circulation.
Put the container(s) or bag(s) of activated charcoal inside the tent, distributing them evenly. If possible, hang the bags or suspend them to allow air to flow around the charcoal.
Close up the tent to create a confined space.
Leave the activated charcoal inside the tent for at least 24 hours or longer. This will give it enough time to adsorb the cigarette smell effectively.
After the designated time has passed, remove the containers/bags of activated charcoal from the tent.
Open up the tent and allow it to air out in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
9. A Cleaner That Has D-Limonene
D-Limonene is a natural solvent derived from citrus fruits, particularly oranges. It has a strong citrus scent and is known for its powerful cleaning properties. D-Limonene is often used in cleaning products due to its ability to dissolve grease, oils, and other tough stains. Please note that D-Limonene is a strong solvent and should be used with caution, following the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Look for a cleaning product specifically formulated with D-Limonene as one of the active ingredients. Ensure that it is suitable for use on the material of your tent.
Before applying the cleaner to the entire tent, test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it does not cause any discoloration or damage.
Spray the D-Limonene cleaner evenly on the interior and exterior of the tent. Pay extra attention to areas affected by the cigarette smell.
Let the cleaner sit on the tent fabric for a few minutes to allow it to penetrate and break down the cigarette odor.
Using a soft brush or cloth, gently scrub or wipe the tent to help remove the odor-causing particles.
Rinse the tent thoroughly with water or wipe off any excess cleaner from the fabric.
10. Ozone Generator
Ozone is a highly reactive gas that can be used for various purposes, including air purification and odor removal.
An ozone generator is a device that produces ozone gas.
Ozone generators work by using electrical energy to convert oxygen molecules (O2) into ozone (O3). The ozone is then released into the air, where it can react with and neutralize odors, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent and can break down organic compounds, eliminating the source of the odor.
Select an ozone generator that is appropriate for the size of your tent and set up the ozone generator inside the tent.
Seal the tent completely to create an airtight environment.
Turn on the ozone generator and let it run. Allow the ozone generator to run for the recommended duration specified by the manufacturer.
After the designated time has passed, open up the tent and let it air out in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
If the cigarette smell persists, you may need to repeat the ozone treatment.
11. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is this chemical compound with the formula H2O2. It’s like a pale blue liquid that looks kinda colorless when it’s not super concentrated.
In regular everyday stuff, people often use Hydrogen Peroxide to clean up wounds and stuff ’cause it’s a disinfectant and antiseptic. You can also use it as mouthwash or gargle to kill germs and help with those annoying mouth irritations.
When you wanna get rid of that smoky smell in your tent, you can mix equal parts of Hydrogen Peroxide and water in a spray bottle. So, like, 1 cup of Hydrogen Peroxide with 1 cup of water.
Before you go spraying that solution all over your whole tent, it’s a good idea to test it out on a small spot first, just to be safe.
Once you’re ready, go ahead and spray the Hydrogen Peroxide solution all over the inside and outside of your tent. Get it nice and even.
Then, let that solution sit on the tent fabric for a few minutes. It needs a little time to really bust up that smelly cigarette odor.
After that, grab a clean cloth and gently wipe off any extra solution from the tent. You don’t want it all drippy and wet.
Hang up your tent in a well-ventilated area or outside and let it air dry completely before you pack it away. Gotta make sure it’s nice and dry.
Fianl Thoughts
Maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness in your tent is essential for a pleasant camping experience. By following these tips and being proactive, you can ensure that your tent remains fresh and odor-free for many camping adventures to come.
Feel free to share your own experiences and tips for getting rid of cigarette smell in a tent in the comments below. Happy camping!
