Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. One of the touted benefits of vaping is that it doesn’t produce the same lingering odors that cigarette smoke does. However, some vape users have noticed that vaping can leave a slight smell on clothing. Here’s a quick look at whether vaping leaves a smell on clothes and what you can do about it.
Does Vaping Leave Any Smell At All?
The short answer is yes, vaping can leave a slight smell on clothing, skin, hair, and other fabrics. However, the scent is much fainter and dissipates more quickly compared to cigarette smoke odor. Here are some key points on vape smell:
- Vape smell is caused by the vape juice ingredients – Vape juice contains vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, nicotine, and flavorings. When heated, these components produce an aroma.
- Flavorings have the biggest impact on smell – Sweet or fruity vape flavors tend to linger more than tobacco or menthol flavors.
- Vape smell disappears faster – Cigarette smoke can linger for days on clothes and fabrics. Vape smell is much more faint and dissipates within a few hours up to a day.
- Vape residue can cause lingering smells – If vape juice gets on your fingers or clothes, it can leave behind a sticky residue and odor even after the vapor smell goes away.
- Vape scent is less noticeable outdoors – Indoors, the smell has nowhere to go. Outdoors, vape odor diffuses rapidly.
So in summary, vaping can produce a slight scent from the vape juice ingredients and flavors. But the smell is less intense, clings less to fabrics, and goes away faster compared to cigarette smoke odor.
Does Vape Smell Go Away or Stick to Clothes?
Whether vape odor sticks to your clothes depends on a few factors:
- Vape settings – Higher voltage vape devices and sub ohm vaping tend to produce thicker vapor clouds which can leave more odor behind. Lower power devices have less vapor and smell.
- Vape flavors – Sugary, dessert, and candy vape juices tend to linger more. Tobacco or mint flavors have less cling.
- Fabric type – Natural fibers like cotton and wool absorb smells more than synthetic fabrics.
- Indoors vs. outdoors – Vape smells dissipate faster outside with air circulation.
- Vape residue – Getting vape juice on your fingers and clothes creates a sticky film that smells.
With all this mind, a light vape smell will usually dissipate from clothes within a few hours when hanging outdoors. But heavy vaping indoors or getting e-liquid on your clothes can lead to lingering odors for up to a full day.
Tips to Prevent Vape Smell On Clothes
If you want to avoid getting that pesky vape smell on your clothes, here are some useful tips:
- Vape outdoors or near open windows
- Use lower power vape devices with less vapor
- Choose lighter vape flavors like tobacco or menthol
- Wash hands after vaping and handling e-liquid
- Change clothes after vaping heavily
- Keep your vape gear away from fabrics
- Spray clothing with odor eliminating spray
- Hang clothes outside to air out after vaping
- Wash clothing regularly
Being mindful of these tips will help minimize any residual vape smells that may cling to your clothes or other fabrics. Also consider your roommates or family members who may be sensitive to vape odor as well.
How to Get Vape Smells Out of Clothes
If you’ve already noticed a lingering vape smell in some of your clothes, don’t worry. Here are some effective methods to get vape odors out of fabrics:
Launder Clothes
Washing clothes will help rinse away vape smells. For best results:
- Wash soon after vaping before smell sets
- Use hot water to better dissolve vape residue
- Use an extra rinse cycle
- Hang clothes outside to dry if possible
- Avoid overfilling the washing machine
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda helps absorb odors while vinegar helps break down residue. For smelly clothes, add 1⁄2 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar to the wash. Or soak clothes in a mixture of 1 cup vinegar per 1 gallon of water for 1 hour before washing.
Oxygen Bleach
Non-chlorine oxygen bleach like OxiClean can help remove odors by breaking down organic compounds. Follow instructions on the package and soak clothes before washing.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has pores that capture odors. Place charcoal briquettes or packs in a sealed container with clothes to absorb smells.
White Vinegar Spray
Mist clothes lightly with undiluted white vinegar then let air dry to remove stubborn vape odors between washes.
Vodka Spray
The alcohol in vodka can help eliminate odors between washes. Lightly spray clothes with vodka and let air dry.
Febreze
Febreze and other fabric sprays can help mask odors. Spray smelly clothes lightly between washes.
Steam Clean
Using a garment steamer or iron set on steam can help remove vape smells, especially on heavier fabrics like coats and upholstery.
Air Out
Simply hanging clothes outside allows fresh air to help dissipate lingering odors.
How to Prevent Vape Odors In Other Ways
In addition to your clothes, vaping can also cause odors in other ways. Here are some tips to prevent vape smells in your home, car, and other places:
Home Tips
- Vape near open windows
- Use air purifiers and fans
- Open windows and vacuum after vaping
- Clean vape gear regularly
- Store gear in sealed containers
- Use sprays and candles to mask odors
Car Tips
- Vape with windows down
- Use a vape odor eliminator product
- Place dryer sheets in car interior
- Clean interior regularly with vacuum and wipes
- Use a car air freshener or spray
On Your Body
- Wash hands and face after vaping
- Change clothes after vaping heavily
- Use moisturizer to avoid vape residue on skin
- Brush teeth and use mouthwash
- Drink water to stay hydrated and flush toxins
Vape Smell FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about vape odors:
Why does my vape smell sweet?
Sweet vape smells are usually caused by sugary e-liquid flavors like custard, pastry, candy or fruit flavors. These flavor chemicals can linger and cling to surfaces.
Do vape smells give you a headache?
Yes, some people report getting headaches or feeling nauseous from vape smells, especially from artificial sweet vape flavors.
Does vape smell go away?
Vape smells dissipate over time, especially with ventilation and air circulation. But residues can lead to lingering ghost smells.
Is vape smell harmful?
There are no known health risks from vape smell alone. But some people find the odor unpleasant, especially lingering sweet smells.
How long does vape smell last on clothes?
Vape smell will usually dissipate from clothes within a few hours up to 1 day depending on the fabric type and how heavily it was exposed.
Conclusion
Vaping can leave a light scent on clothing from vape juice ingredients and flavors. The smell is less intense compared to cigarette smoke but can linger if vape residue gets on fabrics. To avoid vape smells on your clothes, vape lightly with lower power devices, choose lighter flavors, and wash clothes regularly. Hanging clothes to air out can also dissipate odors. With a few precautions, vapers can keep their clothes fresh and minimize any residual vaping odors.
