A family member just had a terrible house fire, and now all of her clothes are smoky and sooty. Can you help?
--Joanne Pate, Hamilton, Ohio

Smoke odors can be removed from most clothing with repeated regular washings. However, fabrics such as wool may be more difficult. If the odor doesn't diminish after several washings or cleanings, a dry cleaner with a special ozone generator should be able to do the job. The cleaning cost may be covered by insurance. Check to see if your policy includes coverage for smoke damage to clothing.