How to Remove Yellow Smoke Stains From Clothes

By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
mary marlowe leverette spruce gardening board
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary has been a Master Gardener for 30+ years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50+ years. She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent.
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Published on 01/11/23
How to Remove Nicotine and Cigarette Stains From Clothing

The Spruce / Hilary Allison 

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 12 hrs - 1 day
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10-25

Smoking can leave lingering yellow stains and strong odors in clothes. Unfortunately, removing yellow stains is difficult. The process for removing nicotine stains will depend on the type of fabric, but luckily, it can be done with a lot of care, patience, and household products you most likely have on hand.

Read on for our guide to remove yellow smoke stains from clothing.

  Stain Type  Smoke 
  Detergent Type  Heavy-duty
  Water Temperature  Varies depending on the type of fabric
  Cycle Type  Varies depending on the type of fabric

Before You Begin

If the garment is dry clean only, point out and identify the stain to your professional cleaner. If you are using a home dry cleaning kit, be sure to treat the stain with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag. But know that you will have much better luck with a professional cleaner in removing the stains.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Removing Nicotine Stains From Cotton or Linen Clothes

  • Small bucket
  • Large sink
  • Sponge

Removing Nicotine Stains From Polyester, Rayon, Acrylic, or Nylon Clothes

  • Large jar with lid
  • Sponge
  • Cotton pad or white cloth
  • Eye dropper (optional)

Materials

Removing Nicotine Stains From Cotton or Linen Clothes

  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent
  • Rubbing alcohol

Removing Nicotine Stains From Polyester, Rayon, Acrylic, or Nylon Clothes

  • Glycerin
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent
  • Distilled white vinegar

Instructions

Materials for removing nicotine stains from clothing

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Remove Nicotine Stains From Cotton or Linen Clothes

  1. Mix a Soaking Solution

    Combine 1 quart of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent (Tide or Persil). Soak the nicotine-stained clothing in the mixture for 15 minutes before ringing out the excess water.

    Mixing a soaking solution

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  2. Treat the Stain

    Sponge the stained area with rubbing alcohol until the stain is removed, and wash as usual following the fabric care label.

    Sponging the stained area with rubbing alcohol

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  3. Check the Stained Area

    Before tossing the garment in the dryer, check the stained area. If you can still see the stain, do not dry the clothing as putting it in the dryer can permanently set the stain in. Repeat soaking and treating the stain steps.

    Checking the stained area prior to laundering

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Remove Nicotine Stains From Polyester, Rayon, Acrylic, or Nylon Clothes 

  1. Make Cleaner

    • Make a wet spot cleaner by combining 1 part glycerin, 1 part liquid dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts water in a large jar.
    • Label and keep tightly closed to prevent evaporation.
    Making a stain removal cleaner

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

  2. Treat Stain

    • Dampen the stained area with a sponge, applying gentle strokes beginning at the center of the stain and working outward.
    • Apply a few drops of wet spot cleaner and a few drops of distilled white vinegar directly on top of the stain.
    • Cover the stain with a cotton pad or white cloth and allow the pad to set, picking up the stain.
    • Keep the stain moist until it disappears, then flush the area with water and wash as normal.

    Tip

    If you have already tried to remove the stains but they remained and then you dried the clothing in a dryer, the stains may be permanently set. You can still give these tips a try before tossing the clothes.

    Dampening the stained area with a sponge

    The Spruce / Meg MacDonald

How to Whiten Nicotine-Stained Clothes

For any washable fabric that you need to whiten after treating for the stains, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach (OxiClean, Clorox 2, Country Save Bleach, Purex 2 Color Safe Bleach are brand names) and cool water. Follow the package directions as to how much product per gallon of water. Completely submerge the garment and allow it to soak for at least eight hours. Check the color. If it is white enough, wash as usual. If it remains yellow, mix a fresh solution, and repeat. It may take several soakings to brighten it completely.

submerging a white nicotine stained garment

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska 

Additional Tips for Removing Smoke Stains from Clothes

  • Before you think about removing the stains, wash or dry clean any garments that you don’t wear on a regular basis. Then store them in cloth (not plastic) hanging bags. That will help protect them from the nicotine that settles on the fabric and causes yellow streaks and stains.
  • Do not put nicotine-stained clothing in the dryer as the heat can permanently set in the stain.
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