How can I get curtains clean from cigarette smoke?

Question

My husband & I both smoke & have beige curtains in the livingroom. They are about 72" long and I have 3 sets of them. Every time I wash them only half of them come clean. It's like brown streaks, when I hang them they look brown & beige striped.

I'm new to this and just had to thank you all for your suggestions. I had no idea there would be nice people here. I've mostly seen, pardon me for saying so, a lot of ignorant people answering questions rudely.
I guess there was one who asnwered my question so to that person I have to say that my "trailer" most likely cost more money than she/he will ever see in a lifetime.

Answer 1

I've had the same problem. What works for me is to put detergent (I use Tide with bleach) in the washer before you put the curtains in it. Then put in a layer of curtains, more Tide, then another layer of curtains.....
You just have to make sure the detergent is reaching all the material.

Answer 2

Yeah..that is a pain in the butt. What I do is presoak one panel at a time if I am dead serious about removing the tar. Put your machine on the longest action cycle you have. I just love Tide with Bleach alternative and it sure gets my curtains looking new. I use its suds to presoak for maybe a half hour..aggitate the maching for a few minutes..check to see if any streaks are visible and if so..add a little Tide to that part with water and gently scrub the spot..then let the cycle go through. If you would clean your curtains once a season..yeah..tough, but neccessary for smokers like us..you will keep the build up down.

Of course..you can always refuse to smoke in that room, too!

Answer 3

My hubby and I both smoke also and my suggestion to you is to not overload your washing machine with too many curtains at one time. Try doing one panel at a time ( it will take extra time but they will be clean, sounds like your overloading ) and soak them first then run your machine. This will definetely get them clean, also put in extra detergent ( I actually use dawn dishsoap on mine as it cuts the smoke much better than laundry detergent) And do an extra rinse cycle to get the soap residue out.

Answer 4

in the beginning recognize that smoke sticks on each little thing it truly is presented in touch with: floor, Ceilings, Carpet, mattress, Window, furniture, Curtains, and so on. a million, sparkling the partitions, ceiling, window frames, glass with a solid cleansing answer. 2. Throw away the mattress and curtains. sparkling out the mattress physique. 3. Steam out the carpet. OR thoroughly soak/powder the carpet with Arm and Hammer carpet cleanser (with baking soda), vacuum and repeat. make specific your vacuum is working. 4. Air the room till smoke smell disappears. solid good fortune, I basically wiped sparkling out an ex-human beings who smoke room and it takes a number of staying power.

Answer 5

try washing them with amonia in the wash water. this dissolves the tar, etc in cig. smoke. run them thru a full cycle, then wash as usual to remove the residue. Don't overload the washer either, they will clean better.

Answer 6

let them soak in that oxyclean stuff for a very long time then put them through a wash cycle. smoke outside and make it a rule in your house

Answer 7

Stop smoking, and try a degreaser, they have tar on them. You can clean the whole trailer that way.

Answer 8

Stop smoking and buy new ones :))) try bleach... might make them white :)

Answer 9

SEND 'EM TO A PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANING SERVICE.

Answer 10

have them dry cleaned .......but could be expensive