Q Reader’s Odor Question
“Sooo…. I’m in college and work at a medicinal marijuana distribution facility. I am very straight edge, and my friends, family and roommates have no idea of this part of my life. I’d like to keep it this way! My problem is that my schooling backpack continually smells of a fresh weed odor. Last night, my roommate Jordy actually asked me if I had been around an area of a skunk spray. I worry that they will soon find out about this additional income source if I don’t take measures to prevent it from happening. Can you help me? Many Thanks! – Kevin”
A Smell Removal Answers
1 White Vinegar Wash Cycle
As a preliminary step, you will want to work to deodorize the backpack to eliminate any musty weed odors. You can accomplish this by adding an deodorizing boost to your normal detergent washing machine cycle of the backpack. Once you have checked to see if your backpack is machine washable, you will want to place the machine settings accordingly, and proceed to add in a additional cup of white vinegar within the cycle. Once completed, hang the backpack outside to air dry rather than opting for the drying machine. This will help to avoid unwanted shrinkage and will help to lift away any additional odors.
2 Baking Soda Detergent Boost
If you do not have white vinegar, baking soda can work well as a deodorizing alternative. Measure one cup of baking soda and add it within a normal wash cycle along with normal washing machine detergent. The baking soda will work to absorb some of the deep weed odors within the fiber and leave it smelling fresh. Similar to white vinegar, you will want to hang to backpack outside to naturally air dry rather than using the drying machine.
3 Vodka Spray
If you are on the go, spraying your backpack down with vodka can be highly effective at cutting through many of the odors. The high alcohol content neutralizes many weed odors on contact and works to dry away odorously. Pour a small amount of vodka within a spray bottle and proceed to spray down your backpack. Once you have sprayed down the entire backpack, put the backpack in the sun to allow the alcohol to quickly evaporate and lift much of the unwanted aroma away.
4 Deodorizing Product Spray
As another fast solution, the use of a store bought deodorizing product can work well at covering up the odor within the short term. Whether it is Glade or Febreze, will need to give the backpack a thorough spray down and place it within the sun to quickly evaporate. In many circumstances, this will be sufficient to properly cover the scent of weed.
5 Trash Bag the Backpack
As a preventative solution, you may want to consider always having a trash bag within your backpack. Any time that you anticipate being around weed, simply place the backpack within the enclosed trash bag. This will ensure that no weedy residues will make their way within the canvas material.
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Photo credit: Chuck Coker
Mouthwash is one of the most popular solutions for eliminating weed-based odor within your mouth. By swishing and gargling this substance you will be able to knock out the most of the traces within your breathe.
This is often used as a powerful substitute for mouthwash. By swishing and gargling this solution, it will cut through the organic materials within your mouth and leave your breathe smelling fresh. As a note of caution, should mix this substance in equal parts with water to avoid the full strength of this compound.
Drinking large amount of water you will allow you to wash down much of the weedy residue covering your mouth and throat. One to two pints (16-32 oz) of water usually does the trick.
The alcohol within vodka cuts through many odor creating residues. By simply taking and shot and remembering to swish before swallowing, you will be able to eliminate most signs of weed from your breathe. One benefit of vodka is that it is nearly impossible to smell on someones breathe.
Candies that containing ginger ingredients do a great job at neutralizing and masking the smell of weed. Be sure that the candies contain real ginger, as the artificially flavored ones are not nearly as effective.
Using peanut butter has long been used to mask the smell of weed on one’s breathe. By simply eating some peanut butter after smoking weed you will be able to cover much weed scent within breathe.
The active acids within lemons do a great job at cutting through smoke related odors. Be sure that the juice is freshly squeezed, as artificially flavored juice is not nearly as effective. 
By drinking orange juice, you will be able to apply the same acids as lemonade to the fight against weed breathe. The citric acid works by breaking down smoke related residues and leaves your mouth smelling fresh.
When all else fails, smoke a cigarette. Smoking a cigarette will mask the smell of weed and give you an excuse to be carrying a lighter. You should always have a pack of cigarettes stashed for any emergencies.
By smoking outside, you will be able to vastly reduce the amount of odor that can find it’s way within your clothing. This preventative measure works best in remote areas where the smell will not bring any unwanted attention.
As an additional preventative step, run a fan by the window to push much of the wanted aroma outside. This will cut down of the amount of residual weed residue that makes it’s way within clothes, hair and even hands.
This product works magic in getting deep within clothing fiber to wipe out smoke related odors. By spraying yourself down head to toe, you can enter any social engagement with a clear conscience. Place multiple bottles within strategic positions around the house, car and even office to be prepared for any occasion.
As a preventative measure, put your hair up in a bun before smoking weed. This creates a tightened environment, that makes it difficult for weed to find it’s way into follicles.
By going outside with your hair down and sitting in the sun up to 30 minutes, it can have a wonderful effect on removing smoke-based odor. The fresh breeze and UV rays that exist outside can work miracles in wiping out odors.
This drink has natural capabilities of wiping out smoke residue odors. Pour a small portion into your hand and run it through the affected hair. As the vodka evaporates, it will work to remove much of the odor causing residue.
If you are within range of a sink with antibacterial soap, be sure to first give this a try. It should be able to wipe out the smokey odors and return your hands smelling fresh again.
For the hard to get weed odors, splash your hands with any kind of alcohol you can get your hands on. Vodka or even rubbing alcohol will work in neutralizing the odor and carrying it away as it evaporates.
After your hair has acquired a weedy funk, be sure to let it down. Letting your hair down frees the stands up to allow air to sweep through and carry away the unwanted aroma.
The sun naturally works to neutralize weed odors. Spend a minimum of 30-45 minutes in direct sunlight and allow UV rays to burn out much of the smoke-based residue.
Smoking from a vaporizer is another great option for smoking indoors. Vaporizers are virtually odorless and are great for cutting down on the weed residue that can get within your follicles.
Carrying portable hand sanitizer is a great idea for anyone on the go. Portable hand sanitizer contains alcohol effective at breaking down odors and covering them up.
This compound works wonders at neutralizing odors and replacing them with a vinegar tinge. After splashing hands with vinegar, be sure to wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap to remove vinegar smell. Alternatively, the vinegar smell will go away once dried.
Oranges, lemons and limes all work well in masking smoke related odors. Open a fruit up and rub it over your hands. Be sure to follow this by rinsing hands to remove any sticky juices.
If you have a speed stick handy, roll it over your hands. This works well on short notice, when antibacterial soap is out of reach. If you have time, rinse hands to remove chalky deodorant substance left on hands.
Spraying perfume into your hands is another last minute solution for covering up odors on the spot. Also spray your body as this will cover weed odors within clothing as well.
If there is time to create a mixture of baking soda and water, this formula is effective at eliminating odors within your hands. Mix a cup of water and 3 tea spoons of baking soda, and rub into hands thoroughly.
As a last resort, you can splash your hands with nail polish removal to strip away any residues from your hands. Be sure to follow this by washing your hands with antibacterial soap to rinse this harsh chemical compound away.
Under the presumption that any smell is better than weed odor, you can use onion or garlic when the above options are not available. Cut either of these in half, and proceed to rub the interior on all areas of your hands. It’s better to have a stinky hands, than incriminating ones.
If someone has smoked within your weed within your car, the first thing that you can do it roll down the windows. Opening the windows and airing out the car has a steady effect of lowering the odor built up within the car.
Similar to Febreze, this product works well at neutralizing odors within the interior of a car. Many prefer this product due to it’s strong at masking solution and small packaging.
While this is not a solution in itself, it can only help in masking weed odor after someone has smoked within your car.
After taking a hit, be sure to blow the smoke away from yourself and your clothing. Be sure to blow to the side or upwards rather then down at your clothing.
If you are very worried that the smell has not dissipated, try thinking if you know of an laundry mats or friends with washer and dryiers that live close by. If you have an hour and a half to kill, you may want to give your clothes a proper wash depending upon your level of worry.
If the piece of clothing has not gotten any better after several wash cycles, take the damp content out of the washer and place them on a clothes line in direct sunlight. The air and sun will work to draw the remaining odors out while the garments dry.
This household substance also does a great job at cutting into smokey residue and leaving clothing smelling fresh. Just add one cup of this in with you laundry detergent and run a normal wash cycle to smell results.
Make sure that you first open all of the window within your house. Do so will allow fresh air to sweep through and carry off any unwelcome weed odor. To speed this process up, you can even use a window fan to push the stagnant air outside.
Don’t smoke joints in the house. They carry the strongest odors and cause the house, as well as your clothes, hair and hands to smell of weed.
Bongs produce much less marijuana smell than joints. The smoke gets partially purified from traveling through bong water, which causes the smoke to be more purified.
Make a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water within a large bucket. Using a sponge scrub down all surfaces including the walls, ceiling and floors with this solution. Be sure that windows are open during this process so that the moisture can evaporate and sweep any remaining traces outside.