SC - OT smoke in clothes, was outdoor feast info

[Bonne]

Lainie wrote
>         BTW, do you have problems with the smells of the fire getting into
> your clothes? How do you get them out?



If the item is at least cold water washable, do that and then hang to dry. 
Support the shoulders with a strong suit hanger and clothes pin or otherwise
support the lower portions of a heavy garment to prevent it being stretched
out of shape. Airing and cleaning needs are a good argument for making
seperate items of clothing--chemise, bodice, skirt, pettticoats--rather than a
one-piece that looks like several theater costume type unit. That way each
item can be treated appropriately instead of everything having to be treated
as the most sensitive fabric in the ensemble requires. Being able to wash and
dry most of the ensemble and only having to air out one portion of it helps a
lot.  

If the item can't be washed at all, at least hang it outside providing support
where needed.  It may take days so will be simplest if you can hang the
clothes under a covered porch.  Otherwise it's take them out and in morning
and evening and whenever it looks like rain.  My mother says NOT to hang them
in an enclosed garage because if the garage gets warm during the day the smell
will cook in permanently, as will any stains. Never having had a weather tight
garage, I'm guessing she's right because mom's usually are.

After a few days of this, you may also want to experiment with sprinkling
baking soda onto the item, then brushing it out again with a good clothes
brush or an old hairbrush.  Or using perfumed powder in that way.  Or storing
the item in a closed container closet or chest along with lavender or rose
petals or pot pourri or what have you that might overpower the remaining smoke
scent. 


bonne

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