How to get rid of campfire smell in hair

Camping is a fun and entertaining outdoor activity that allows people to spend time in nature and disconnect from the distractions of daily life. Whether you’re pitching your tent in the middle of the forest or staying in a more luxurious motorhome, everything is better than being stuck indoors. One of the things you’ll always do no matter what kind of camping trip you are on is to sit near the campfire. Later on, we wonder how to get rid of campfire smell in hair though.

What’s better than sitting around a fire and playing some campfire drinking games? Some of the best stories are told while sitting next to the fire and sipping your favorite drink. However, we tend to ignore the fact that fire smoke gets in our hair which can later cause some problems. Luckily for you, in this article, we’ll teach you multiple ways how to get rid of that fire smell from your hair.

Sitting near the campfire, Source: Pexels

7 Ways to get rid of campfire smell in hair

Although the smell of a campfire can be comfortingly pleasant in a way, when caught in the hair it is not so nice. It might be difficult to get the campfire smell out of your hair after you’ve been sitting near the fire for a while, causing the smell to linger even after you shower. There are certain products that can help you get rid of this smell, we’ll go over them.

Here are 7 ways on how to get rid of campfire smell in hair: 

1) Use a dry shampoo

Dry shampoo can help tremendously with the smell of your hair. It’s also good for removing oil from the scalp, but it contains starch as the main ingredient that removes odor and dirt from your hair. Your hair will smell clean and fresh as the product absorbs the impurities and oils that create the smell.

Dry shampoos don’t need to be rinsed out to refresh hair. It’s good to have this preparation with you. It can always come in handy when camping outside.

2) Avoid using heat-styling tools

When you use heat-styling tools such as apartment irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and such, it can damage your hair. The high temperatures of these hair tools will strip away the natural oils that are on your hair, causing it to become dry and brittle. Doing this will not only damage the hair but also tends to retain the smell, making the campfire smell even more difficult to remove.

Heat-styling products can cause the smell to become stronger. The heat from these tools causes smoke particles trapped in your hair to become more volatile, making the smell more noticeable.

3) Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo

Clarifying shampoo is a special type of shampoo designed to remove product build-up from the hair, including mousse, hairspray, and other styling products. If you compare it to a regular shampoo, you’ll see that a clarifying shampoo will give you a deeper cleanse than a regular shampoo. However, don’t use this type of a shampoo on regular basis.

4) DIY Solution: Citrus

If you want a lighter and less greasy concoction, you can use citrus fruits mixed with water to remove the smoke smell. Fruits like lemons not only have a very nice smell but also have cleansing properties that help remove stains and freshen up any environment.

To make this formula, follow these two simple steps:

  1. Put the zest of an orange or lemon in some water and let it marinate for at least three hours.
  2. Pour the mixture into a small spray bottle and when you notice your hair smells like smoke, apply this spray all over your hair. It restores freshness and a good smell to your hair.

5) DIY Solution: Vinegar

You can also use a vinegar rinse. Regardless of its powerful smell and antiseptic properties, vinegar is perfect for neutralizing odors on hair or clothes. To remove the campfire smell from your hair with vinegar, follow these steps:

  1. Wash your hair as usual.
  2. For the final rinse, prepare a 1 1/2 mixture of cold water and 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar.
  3. Apply the mixture to your hair and rinse again with plenty of water.
  4. Dry normally without using a dryer. 

The smell of vinegar will disappear in no time, getting rid of the campfire smell in your hair.

6) Use essential oils.

When used as a home air freshener, essential oils have a strong scent that masks unpleasant odors. To get rid of the campfire smell in hair quickly, we can also use essential oils for hair. If you know you’ll be spending a lot of time in nature, put the following preparation in your bag:

  1. In a small portable bottle spray 5 tablespoons of carrier oil like olive or almond oil.
  2. Add 3 drops of essential oil with your favorite scents such as roses or lavender.
  3. Spread a small amount on your fingers and distribute it through your hair.
  4. Leave your hair like this for a few minutes and then comb it out.

It’s a simple solution and a very useful one.

7) Use absorption products

Talcum powder, white clay, and even bicarbonate are all products that have excellent absorption capacity. They are ideal as a quick way to remove the smell of campfire smell from hair. Use a small amount of talc, white clay, or even bicarbonate on the hair, distributing it with your fingers. Separate some strands so that the powder penetrates into the inner layers of the hair.

Leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes and after a couple of minutes, simply comb it out. Using a blow dryer to remove the white color, use a cold setting at maximum power. A good blow of cold air will help the hair shine and remove dust residues.

Final words

The camping trip is not always long enough to shower when camping, but that’s an option too. However, there are several other effective ways to get rid of the campfire smell in your hair. Some of the most effective methods include using dry shampoo or washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo. However, there are also DIY solutions such as using a vinegar rinse or using essential oils.

You should avoid heat-styling tools and always allow your hair to air out. By following these tips you can successfully remove the campfire smell from your hair and enjoy the great outdoors without any lingering odors.

About Antonio

I’m Antonio, a passionate traveler, and outdoor lover who’s running this website. I started this site to share my passion for camping, traveling, and bikepacking.