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Just about every time we circle a campfire, someone complains the campfire smoke always goes towards them. By the night’s end, we end up smelling like we’re wearing campfire-scented perfume or cologne.
So why does campfire smoke always go towards you? It might shock you that there’s a scientific explanation for this mysterious phenomenon.
Today, we’ll help solve this problem so you can avoid it in the future.
Let’s get to it!
What Does It Mean When Campfire Smoke Follows You?
Some try to comfort those who feel smoke follows them no matter where they sit. Unfortunately, in doing so, they also tell a white lie. If you’ve sat around a campfire or two, there’s a good chance you’ve witnessed this.
People often try to comfort these individuals by telling them that smoke follows beauty. Unfortunately, no matter how handsome or pretty you are, it won’t make having a face full of smoke any easier.
Sadly, we hate to be the bearer of bad news, but science doesn’t support this little fib. The more logical explanation for the phenomenon requires an understanding of some physics.
Why Does Campfire Smoke Always Go Towards You?
Sitting around a campfire prevents fresh air from getting to the fire. While you may not be able to see or feel it, this creates a pressure difference, a vacuum between you and the fire.
The smoke gets drawn into the low-pressure side of the vacuum, which is towards you. By the time it reaches you, it’s often right at face level.
Unfortunately, what many experience is that they move around the fire, and the smoke eventually finds them. This can cause a mixture of feelings, including anger and frustration.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to keep the campfire smoke from following you.
How Do You Keep Campfire Smoke from Following You?
One of the easiest ways to keep campfire smoke from following you is by spreading everyone evenly around the fire. When done right, this equalizes the pressure and causes the smoke to go straight up and away from those enjoying it.
If people aren’t willing to move, sit opposite the largest group. Without external circumstances, the smoke will likely get pulled towards them. You’ll be able to enjoy a smoke-free environment.
Remember to consider the direction of the wind. If the force of the wind is more powerful than the vacuum created, the smoke will blow with the wind.
If you’re sitting downwind from the fire, it’s likely going right into your face. Move your camping chair so the wind blows into your back, and you can watch the smoke blow away from you.
How to Get the Smell of Campfire Smoke Out of Clothes
Unfortunately, after sitting around a campfire, you, your clothes, and almost everything will smell like smoke. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to get rid of the smell. Let’s take a look!
Air Out the Clothes
If your clothes smell like campfire smoke, the first thing you should do is to air them out. Let them sit in the direct sunlight.
A mixture of fresh air and sunlight can help remove these odors. Sometimes, you may need to leave it overnight or for several hours.
In general, this is a great place to start. Will it do the job entirely? Probably not. However, it can help set you up for success as you try some of the other methods.
Use Baking Soda
If you’re unaware, baking soda is the jack-of-all-trades for cleaning products. It can do just about anything, including neutralizing smells. This is why people place them in their refrigerator; it helps absorb the funky odors from leftovers and other food items.
Add half or a full cup of baking soda, depending on the size of your load. Doing so can help draw out the odors from the fabrics and get them back to smelling fresh.
Whether you have campfires often or not, it’s best to keep some baking soda on hand. It’s a great cleaning agent!
Pro Tip: Now that you know how to remove the smell of smoke from your clothes, learn how to remove it from your hair!
Vinegar Solution
Like baking soda, vinegar is also very effective at neutralizing smells. It will pull the odors out of the fabrics and help freshen up your clothes and other items.
You only need to dump a cup of vinegar when washing your clothes.
You can also use the vinegar in combination with the baking soda. This can help create an extra potent mixture that will increase its effectiveness.
If you’re battling stubborn odors, this can be an excellent option.
Lemon Juice
Another product commonly used to deodorize fabrics is lemon juice. Start by creating a lemon juice solution, which is a 1:1 mixture. This means you should add a cup of lemon juice for every cup of water.
Once you have your mixture, submerge the clothes into the solution and let them sit. Typically, you’ll want to let them soak for approximately an hour.
However, for the most stubborn odors, you can leave them overnight. Agitating the water and stirring the clothes can help the lemon juice to penetrate the clothing.
When finished, wash them thoroughly with fresh water. Ring them out and then hang them to air dry. If you continue to smell the odor once they’re dry, you can try repeating the process or giving one of our other suggestions a try.
Keep in Mind: Did you know you can change the color of your campfire? Here’s how!
Activated Charcoal
If you have some activated charcoal on hand, it’s also an option to consider. Place the activated charcoal in a shallow container into a bag with your clothes.
The amount of activated charcoal you’ll need will significantly depend on the intensity of the odor and how many clothes you’re trying to treat. Typically, a few tablespoons will be enough to do the trick.
Seal the bag or container and let it sit. You’ll want to let it sit for at least 24 hours to be most effective. However, it can take longer for some of the most stubborn odors. When done, remove the bag’s contents and let them air out.
Fabric Fresheners and Odor Sprays
One of the fastest and easiest methods is fabric freshener or odor spray products. All you have to do is spray the fabrics with these products, and they can smell fresh. One of the most common products you’ll see used is Febreze.
You’ll first want to air out the clothes and then spray them evenly with the product. Let them air dry and check for any remaining odors. You can repeat this process until the smell is no longer present.
Unfortunately, some products mask the scent and struggle to eliminate the odor. They’re most effective when you need to cover up a smell quickly.
- Fights air odors without masking, leaving nothing behind but a light, fresh scent
- Hold upright and spray in a sweeping motion throughout your house
Repeat as Needed
Unfortunately, some methods are more effective than others. You’ll want to repeat the processes no matter which option you choose until you get the desired results. Again, combining methods can help increase your chances of success.
Keep Campfire Smoke from Always Finding You
Smoke is an intense smell that doesn’t require extended exposure to stink up your clothes. Even a little smoke on your clothes can leave your clothes with a noticeable stench. If you use the methods we’ve shared, you’ll likely eliminate the odors and enjoy clean-smelling clothes.
Do you have any tricks to get the campfire smoke from your clothes?
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
