How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of Vintage Hat

Cigs are cool. Especially when your hats smell like them…said no one ever.

Depending on whether you smoke or not, your opinions on cig-laced snapbacks may differ. But we think it’s safe to say that most people prefer hats that don’t smell. 

The reason why these odors linger so much is because of something called thirdhand smoke, or THS, a toxic residue that clings to fabrics like Free Solo on a 2,000-foot high cliff. THS might be resilient, but our passion for vintage hats is a bit higher. 

As a vintage hat and clothing store, we’ve come across our fair share of tobacco-tinged apparel. And while we consistently pass on gear that doesn’t meet our standards, there have been a few instances where we’ve had to remove smoke odor from hats.

When you go about deodorizing vintage hats, there are a few different ways to get the job done. There are natural methods, chemical applications, and deep cleaning techniques that will help you freshen up your smoke-infused snapbacks.

Removing Cigarette Smell From Hats Naturally

Fresh Air & Sunlight

The first smoke-smell removal technique you should use for your hat should always be natural. All you need to do is hit it with a little mother nature - fresh air and sunlight! Grab a zip tie or string, and hang that baby up to a tree or the corner of your house. Just do it in four-hour increments so it doesn’t get bleached by the sun. This technique, in our opinion, is the best way to get your hat smelling fresh without damaging it or adding other unwanted scents. While mother nature rarely fails us, this is typically the first line of defense. 

Activated Charcoal

Another natural way you can deodorize your vintage hat is by using activated charcoal. When charcoal is treated with heat it becomes highly porous which allows it to suck up all those odor-causing chemicals that are making your vintage snapback smell like a roadside bar. This process is called adsorption and our chemistry teachers would be damn proud of us for knowing that. Just don’t put the charcoal directly on your hat! Put it in a cloth bag or nylon stocking and stuff that baby in the crown.

Baking Soda

Ah, yes, baking soda, one of the most universal powders used for a bevy of solutions. Due to baking soda’s ability to neutralize acids and bases, it works great for removing smoke odor from vintage hats. Go ahead and sprinkle that soda directly on the vintage hat, concentrating on the areas that really stank. Next, get a soft brush (like a toothbrush) and gently rub the baking soda into the fibers. Then, you’ll want to throw the hat in a plastic bag, go turn on the new season of Game of Thrones, and let it sit for 24 hours. When it’s done cooking, just brush off the excess soda and you should have a fresher-smelling cap!

White Vinegar

Whether it’s for making a nice, low-carb salad dressing, or cleaning cigarette smell from hats, white vinegar is an incredibly clutch solution. What you’re going to need is a spray bottle filled with equal parts white vinegar and water. Before you get going, spray a little bit on the inside of the crown to make sure the material won’t get damaged. If everything looks ok, lightly spritz all the affected areas with the solution. Just avoid soaking or saturating the material. Finally, let your vintage hat air dry for a day or so and the vinegar smell should dissipate and take that funky boge smell with it.

Chemical and Commercial Applications

Odor-Neutralizing Sprays

If old mother nature can’t do the trick, you’re going to have to turn to homegrown, man-made chemical solutions - starting with odor-neutralizing sprays. There are an endless number of sprays you can use to get the job done, but a few of our favorites include Ozium - from the days when you were ripping grav bongs in your parent's basement - or Zep Smoke Eliminator. While Febreze and Lysol can also help, they aren’t necessarily our favorite smoke smell removal technique for hats because they leave heavy scents.

Dryer Sheets

Another hero that can help you out when shit starts getting funky are dryer sheets! The lazy way to use dryer sheets is to wipe it directly on your vintage snapback. Like Febreze and Lysol, this isn’t going to remove the smell as much as it is going to mask it. The long-form method for using dryer sheets is throwing a bunch of them in a plastic bag, along with your hat, and letting it sit for 24 hours. This way, the scents won’t be getting rubbed directly into the fibers.

Enzyme Cleaners

Our preferred chemical method when it comes to making your gear smell pristine again is the utilization of enzyme cleaners. Enzymes are biological molecules, such as proteases, amylases, lipases, and cellulases that create chemical reactions. This is crucial when you’re freshening up smoke infused vintage hats because those reactions typically break down proteins, starches, fats, and oils that leave a smell. One way to use these cleaners, such as Nature’s Miracle or Bioclean, is to apply them directly to your hat. Just make sure to spot test first so the fabrics don’t have any weird reactions. Another way is by sealing your vintage hat in an air-tight container or plastic bag with a few damp towels soaked in the cleaner or a bowl filled with the solution.

Deep Cleaning Techniques 

Hand Washing w/ Detergent

If you’ve tried all of the options above and your vintage hat still smells like a jazz club green room, there are some deep cleaning techniques that might do the trick - such as hand washing with detergent. The most important part of deodorizing vintage hats this way is choosing the right detergent - either something for delicate fabrics or baby clothes. Next, fill a basin or sink with cool water and a small amount of detergent and spot check the hat fabric to make sure the material doesn’t react poorly. If it’s good to go, dunk that thing in there and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. When it’s done, reshape and mold it while it’s still damp (if necessary) and let it air dry.

Steam Cleaning

This next deep cleaning technique that people use when removing smoke odor from vintage hats isn’t our favorite, but it can definitely get the job done. High heats can easily damage your lids, so it is important to understand the benefits and risks of steam. The benefit of steam cleaning mainly revolves around its high effectiveness when neutralizing odors and bacteria without any overpowering scents or cleaning agents. The risks of steam cleaning include shrinkage and color disfiguration when high heats are applied to fabrics and dyes in your hat. Your best bet when doing it this way is to use a garment steamer and, after testing the fabric, apply it in short bursts while avoiding any embellishments like patches, feathers, or sequins.

Smoke Smell Removal Summary

If you’re someone who loves vintage hats, and doesn’t mind the occasional cig, or you just have some smelly gear, these smoke smell removal techniques will definitely help you out.

We always recommend going with the natural way first. If sunlight and air, activated charcoal, baking soda, and white vinegar don’t do the trick, only then start looking towards chemical solutions. But remember, if you use Febreeze, Lysol, or dryer sheets, you will likely be masking the smell rather than getting rid of it. The best chemical options will always be scent free solutions like Ozium or non-scented enzyme cleaners.

And if you really get desperate, you can look to deep cleaning methods as a last resort. Just remember, although those methods may be the most effective in freshening up smoke-infused vintage hats, they are also capable of permanently damaging your hat beyond repair. 

Most importantly, be mindful of the conditions your subjecting your vintage snapback to. If you’re going to rip down a dart, throw your hat on the shelf or at least turn it backwards. If you’re grilling out or going to a bonfire, maybe don’t wear your corduroy or high cotton caps as they absorb smoke easier. Protect your headwear and it won’t fail in keeping you fly!