How to Remove Nicotine Stains from Fabric

Last Updated on 9 months by Susan Mayrich

 

Smoking can cause nasty stains and odors on your clothing and furniture. When nicotine mixes with moisture, it turns into a sticky brown substance that clings to almost any surface. The longer you wait to clean the stain, the more deeply it penetrates the fabric, making it even more difficult to remove. 

Fortunately, there are several cleaning techniques that can help break up and pull out nicotine stains from most fabrics.

 

Are Nicotine Stains Permanent on Clothes?

Nicotine stains on clothes are often difficult to remove but are not permanent. It is best to treat the stain as quickly as possible before it is washed.

These stains can be removed with a few products you may already have around the house. If you don’t have these items, they can be purchased at any grocery, convenience, or department store.

 

Can Nicotine Stains Be Removed from Clothes

Yes, nicotine can be removed from your clothes. You might have to do some serious deep cleaning, but you can get that nicotine smell out of your clothing with a little bit of effort.

Nicotine stains do not have to stay on your clothes forever. These tips will help you get rid of them.

 

How to Remove Nicotine Stains from Fabric

Here are some tips to remove nicotine stains from different fabrics:

Cotton Fabric 

1. To remove nicotine stains from the fabric, start by using a sponge to dab the stain with water. 
2. Then, make a solution of 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent with 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon of vinegar and soak the fabric in it for 15 minutes. 
3. After soaking, rinse with water and then sponge with alcohol before rinsing again and washing as usual. 
4. If you still have some yellowing after washing, repeat the process until you get rid of it.

 

Silk Fabric 

1. Blot fresh stains with clear water or club soda, then sponge the area with a mixture of 1 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon ammonia, and 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar. 
2. Rinse well in cool water, then sponge the area with alcohol and rinse again in cool water. 
3. Let the item air dry completely before laundering.

 

Wool Fabric 

1. Sponge fresh spots immediately with cold water, then blot with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar mixed into 2 cups of cold water. 
2. Rinse well in cold water, then sponge alcohol onto the area and rinse again in cold water. 
3. Let the article air dry completely before laundering according to the manufacturer’s directions.

 

How to Remove Tobacco Stains from White Clothes

1. Removing these stains from white clothing is possible, as long as you do it quickly and use the right methods.
2. Make a solution of 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent with 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Soak the fabric for 15 minutes.
3. Rinse with water. Repeat this step until the stain is gone or until it’s as light as possible.
4. Sponge with alcohol if the stain remains. Rinse thoroughly with water and wash in hot water using detergent and bleach that’s safe for the fabric.

How to Remove Nicotine Stains from Upholstery

Nicotine can be a difficult stain to remove from upholstery, but it isn’t impossible.

1. Nicotine stains on upholstered furniture can be removed by making a solution of 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 quart warm water, and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent. 
2. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the stains, allowing it to remain on the stain for 15 minutes keeping the pad damp with the solution.
3. A small amount of rubbing alcohol may be added to the solution if necessary.
4. Dampen a clean cloth or sponge with clear water and dab the area to remove any residue.
5. Allow it to air dry. If any staining remains, repeat until all traces of the stain are gone.

How to Get Nicotine Out of Carpet

Nicotine stains the carpet brown or yellow and gives off a pungent odor. If you have smokers in your home, you may need to know how to remove nicotine from the carpet.

Steps to Remove the Stain:

1. Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts hot water and white vinegar.
2. Apply the cleaning solution to the nicotine-stained area using a clean cloth.
3. Let the vinegar solution sit for five minutes or until you see the stain begin to lift.
4. Use a clean portion of the cloth to blot up as much of the stain as possible.
5. Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups of water.
6. Pour a small amount of this mixture onto another clean cloth and use it to blot up any remaining stain or residue.

Removing Odor

1. To get rid of the smell, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area overnight before vacuuming it up in the morning. Baking soda is great for odor removal because it absorbs moisture from the air which leaves less room for odors to linger around. 
2. If that doesn’t work, try using vinegar diluted with water (one part vinegar to three parts water). 
3. Spray it on the affected area and let stand for about 20 minutes before blotting up excess moisture with paper towels so as not to ruin your carpeting.

Removing Nicotine Stains from Walls and Ceilings

There are a number of ways you can remove nicotine stains from your walls and ceilings. You can use some of the following methods for removing nicotine stains from your walls and ceilings.

Removing Nicotine Stains from Walls and Ceilings – Method 1: Vinegar

To remove nicotine stains from your walls and ceilings, mix 4 parts white vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly onto the stain and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before wiping it up with a rag or sponge. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you may need to repeat this process several times before all of the stains is removed.

Removing Nicotine Stains from Walls and Ceilings – Method 2: Lemon Juice

To remove nicotine stains from your walls and ceilings, squeeze lemon juice onto a cloth or sponge. Rub this cloth against the stain until it has been removed. Once the stain has been removed, rinse thoroughly with clean water to prevent damage from acidity.