Every backpack owner loves to keep their belongings organized inside it. But, none is actually willing to smell smoke or anything unpleasant to their nose from it. Backpacks tend to collect odors from almost anything kept inside or outside; whether it is a pack of cigarettes, a donut, a juice bottle, or even the smell of sweat of the carrier. That’s because nylon and polyesters are mostly used for making backpacks. And, these fabrics have smell-absorbing features. So, if you are carrying cigarettes in the bag or camping outside accompanying this, you should know that your backpack is going to catch all the smoky smells from there. It might cause an awkward situation for anyone around when the bag is open or handled. So, how to get smoke smell or any kind of odor out of our beloved backpacks is a vital question to answer. Let’s check some of the know-how here.
1. Check the Label first
Before doing anything, you must check the label of the backpack. This is because the label will tell you what to do and how to do first hand. If the label says, machine washable, then you can simply put it into the washing machine and give a good rub.
But, if it crosses machine washability, then you must not go for it; and, rather find other ways to remove its odor.
2. Air Dry Method
Some backpacks even tell you if it is better to keep it dry or soak into water. If keeping dry is the preference, then let’s just put the backpack outside in the sun or under shadow, to breathe in air inside it. In a couple of days, the smell should be gone or be reduced.
3. Simple Soap & Water Bath
The air dry method may not work. Or, it may work, but not as optimal. Then, you must go for a machine or simple hand wash. Of course, if the label permits it.
For machine wash, you have to put the backpack only into the machine. No other clothes or anything should be put with it. Take off any parts, which are detachable. Because these may get seperated and damage the machine within the process. So, watch it carefully.
On the other hand, The hand washing method is a bit different. For this, you just need soap and water. Soak the bag in the soap solution and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly. Let the excess water drip out of it. And then, just hang the bag in open air until it completely dries.
4. Vinegar Solution Method
When it is not allowed to wash, you may go for a vinegar solution method. You can either spray or you can wipe out the backpack.
For this, you have to take one part white vinegar with one part water. If you want to spray, you should pour the solution into a sprayer. And then, spray the whole pack from inside and outside. And then, leave it to dry.
If you are not willing to spray, then you can just soak a sponge or a towel, even a cloth into the vinegar solution and squeeze it until the sponge is damp, not wet. Then you can wipe the whole backpack from inside to outside. This method should be working better than anything.
5. Soap and Vinegar Application
Here’s another way which works as a pro, the soap and vinegar solution. Just pour a drop of dish soap into one part warm water and one part vinegar solution. After that go for either a sponge wipe or a spray as told before.
The vinegar itself is too thin that it disappears quickly while the soap is too thick that you can not use it without washing. But the duo together can be a great partner that sticks to any surface. The only thing that you should be careful here is that, test the mixture into a hidden place in the backpack for any kind of discoloration or damage, before using it thoroughly.
6. Baking Soda Sprinkle
Baking soda itself is odorless, but it can absorb smells from anything surrounding it. This characteristic made it an incredible deodorizer for any surface. You just need to sprinkle some baking soda into the backpack and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. But a few hours might result in a breakthrough. After that, just flick the bag to clean up the mess.
However, if you want to avoid messing, just pour the baking soda in a plastic bag and put it inside the backpack open-mouthed. Zip the bag and let it sit for a couple of hours or more. Later, you just take out the plastic bag and have a fresh smelled backpack again.
7. Coffee Ground Method
Using coffee, you can save your backpack from the stale smoke smell. What you have to do is, placing two paper towels inside the backpack; in between which, there will be coffee grounds. Leave it enclosed for 3-4 days. Just make sure that the grounds do not spill and mess up your bag.
Coffee grounds are an alternative to baking soda. The nitrogen of coffee works as a natural deodorizer. Used coffee grounds may be kept in the freezer too to diminish any smell of rotten food.
8. Rubbing Alcohol Application
Applying rubbing alcohol is also beneficial for removing smoke or any kind of smell from a backpack. You can buy it from any superstore or pharmacy nearby.
For making a mixture, you just need water to mix with it. Take one part water and one part rubbing alcohol and shake it very well. Then you can spray it inside the bag and then leave for a while. The odor should be gone by then.
9. Placing Kitty Litter
This might sound ridiculous; but yes, kitty litters are great to use as deodorant. Kitty litters have elements that can absorb any stench. Take some from the litter and put it into an open container or cup. Then place it inside the bag and leave for at least a week. Be aware of dropping down. As it will cause a spill from the container and make a big mess to clean again. So, place the bag somewhere safer.
10. Using Dryer Sheet
If the other ways do not lessen the fetor, you must go for the dryer sheet method. Just place a sheet fully unfolded at the bottom of the backpack and let it sit there always. The sheet would absorb any unpleasant smell. Replace the older sheet until the smell absorbing features fades.
11. Deodorizer
Many of us are comfortable using the deodorizers easily found in the market for this purpose. There are so many sprays available there which are made just for removing smoke smells. You can use one of them too.
It’s not easy to get a smoke smell out of a backpack as the solutions are little known by the backpackers. But, with a thorough knowledge, the hard task becomes a lot easier for anyone. It is always recommended to ‘know before you do’. To get rid of the smoke smell, you must be careful about the tricky ways. Following the steps mentioned above, hopefully you are going to regain the refreshing smell from your backpack.
