Are you a smoker, looking to banish the cigarette smell sticking to your hair after your puffing session. For non-smokers who dislike the smoke odor that lingers to their hair after a visit to a nightclub or pub, some easy ways to get rid of the smoke smell might be helpful.
While washing your hair might seem the best solution, but at times it may appear a daunting task owing to the time crunch. A lot of campers are also inquisitive to know – how to get bonfire smoke smell out of hair. In either case, a few remedies and products can help you get rid of the smoke smell quickly.
Editor’s Recommendation: “Ways to Get Rid of Smelly Hair and Smell Good”
Wondering why you can’t shake the cigarette smell after coming out of a smoke-filled room. Some common causes of smoke smell in your hair.
- Smoking (Cigarettes, Cigars)
- Passive Smoking
- Campfire
- Bonfire
How to Get Rid of Smoke Smell from Hair: 10 Quick Tips
If you are in a rush and washing your hair is not an option, then try these amazing tricks to combat the smoke smell from your hair. These quick tips on how to remove traces of cigarette smoke odor from your hair without having to wash it out.
1. Sunlight
You can get the pesky smoke smell from your hair without anything but sunlight. Let your hair down and open your locks.
This will help release the tightly bound follicles that might still be holding those smoke or campfire odors.
The open space and strong ultraviolet rays work together to effectively neutralize the odors and smell fresh.
2. Fresh Air
Once you are out of the smoking zone, loosen your hair and let loose in some fresh air. This can greatly help to aerate your strands and remove the surface smoke clinging to them.
3. Blow Dryer
If fresh air isn’t an option for the time being, artificial air will do. Turn your blow dryer to the cool setting and blast your hair for around 4-5 minutes. The cold air helps to shake away any residual smoke scents giving you fresh odorless strands.
*Note: Be sure not to use hot air settings as this will bake the smell into the strands, making it worse.
4. DIY Citrus Spray
This is a wonderful natural DIY solution to how to get the smoke smell out of hair. This technique requires citrus fruits like lemon, lime or orange. Anyone of them will do the trick.
- Try mixing the citrus peel and drops in some water; then put it in a spray bottle.
- Let it sit 15 to 20 minutes so the water absorbs the scent of the peel.
- Spritz it onto your hair, focusing on the stinkiest hair strands.
- Once done, blow dry your hair on the cool mode.
With this simple solution, the acids in the lemon juice aid in reducing the strong odor of the cigarette smoke. Rubbing lemon juice is also helpful in eliminating the cigarette odor from your hands as well.
5. Spray Febreze
Febreze is effective in eliminating odors from fabrics, but it can work its charm on your hair as well. Just spray some Febreeze on your hair strands from different angles, until the smelly parts are moist.
Let it air dry for about a half hour and you should be set to remove the traces of cigarettes smoke on your dry hair.
6. Baking Soda
One good way to remove smoke smell from hair without washing it would be to use a small amount of baking soda and rubbing it all over the hair. Or else you can make a DIY solution,
- Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a cup of water in a spray bottle.
- Shake it well to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
- Spritz the solution on your hair strands for a completely scent-free, additive-free deodorizer that removes the smoke smell and has no harsh side effects on hair.
Baking soda is a great quick fix to eradicate any stinky smoke smell from your hair.
Try some baby powder/talc which basically does the same thing and will help in removing the smoke odor and mask the remaining cigarette smell.
7. Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo, no rinse shampoos are designed to soak up oil and contaminants and comes in both scented and fragrance-free formulas.
Dry shampoo can be applied directly on dry hair and then combed through.
Most of these formulas may have a small amount of alcohol, which also tamps down smoke smells as it evaporates.
Check prices of Dry shampoo – Here
8. Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are easy to use and helpful with getting rid of the campfire or smoke smell.
Just try rubbing your dryer sheet on your hairbrush or comb before you brush out your hair.
The fragrance will block the smell on your strands, making you smell fresh again.
Alternatively, you can place a dryer sheet underneath your pillowcase before you sleep. The dryer sheet will remove hair odors while you sleep.
You can also try rubbing a fabric softener sheet throughout your hair, which is very effective to get rid of the smell of smoke.
Check prices of Dryer Sheets – Here
9. Essential Oils
Using essential oils is one of the best options to get fresh smelling hair after you smoke.
Just pick your favorite scent to be it, lavender, orange, vanilla, etc.
Pour a few drops of the essential oil in your palm, rub your hands together, and work the oil gently into your tresses.
10. Spray some Perfume
Apply some perfume from a distance on your hair to neutralize trapped odors such as cigarette or cigar smell.
The best situation considering the health hazards of smoking is to quit it and stay healthy. However, if you can’t get rid of this habit try to follow the following preventive steps to control and minimize the smoke smell.
- Try to Smoke in Open Air – This is one of the best options, where the smoke won’t linger much on your clothes and hair.
- Tie Your Hair – Try to leave your hair pulled back when camping or smoking, preferably in a bun, as this way it absorbs fewer odors than if your tresses are left down.
- Cover Your Hair – Try to cover up your hair using scarves, hoodies or hats so the odors can’t reach it.
- If you have the option, always try to wash and shampoo your hair to get rid of the toxic smoke particles and smell.
Experts answer the FAQ’s
Q. How do you get the smell of campfire smoke out of your hair?
A. All the above tips will work fine to banish the smoke stink. Still, try to tie your hair tied or cover it up with a scarf, especially if you have curly hair. Using dryer sheets is a handy remedy which can be carried to camps too.
Q. How long does cigarette smell stay in your hair?
A. It totally depends on how much and what have you smoked. However, it generally lasts 45 minutes-1 hour. It’s best to take a shower to smell fresh.
I’m Rhea, a fitness enthusiast, and a food lover. I am a housemaker, foodie, writer from NYC. I am a passionate writer and I love exploring places. Since I love cooking and working out, I am sharing my organic food recipes, fitness and beauty tips with the world. Trying to touch lives with some useful information.
