Cologne And Clothes: A Bleaching Concern?

Cologne can stain clothes, especially if it contains oils or alcohol. If you've spilled cologne on your clothes, it's important to act quickly. Start by blotting the stain with a folded cloth or paper towel to remove the excess. Then, pretreat the stain with cold water, laundry detergent, or vinegar. You can also try a mixture of water, gentle detergent, and vinegar, or water and baking soda. After pretreating, wash the garment as usual, adding chlorine bleach to the wash if it's safe for the fabric. Always check the care label before treating and washing stained clothing.

Removing cologne stains from washable fabrics

To remove cologne stains from washable fabrics, follow these steps:

• Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any excess cologne.
• Soak the stained fabric in cold water for 15-30 minutes.
• If the stain persists, mix a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts cold water, and soak the fabric in this solution for 15 minutes.
• Rinse the fabric with cold water to remove the vinegar solution.
• If the stain is still there, make a paste of baking soda and cold water, and apply it to the stain for 15-30 minutes before rinsing.
• Wash the garment in the washing machine using a mild detergent and cold water.
• If the stain is still there, apply a stain remover directly to the stain and let it sit for the recommended time before washing the garment again.

Always check the care label of the garment before attempting to remove the stain, and avoid using hot water, which can set the stain. If the fabric is delicate or made of silk, it is best to take it to a professional cleaner rather than attempting to remove the stain at home.

Additionally, you can try the following:

• Soak or sponge the stain in cool water, then apply detergent and launder.
• Soak in a solution of 1 quart of warm water, 1/2 teaspoon of detergent, and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse with water.
• If the stain remains, sponge with rubbing alcohol, rinse thoroughly, and launder.
• Add bleach (chlorine type) if it is safe for the fabric.

Removing cologne stains from silk, leather, and suede

While cologne can cause bleaching on certain fabrics, it is important to be mindful of the type of fabric you are dealing with when attempting to remove cologne stains. Here is a guide on how to remove cologne stains from silk, leather, and suede:

Silk

Before attempting any stain removal method, always read the care label and ensure that you are using the correct products and procedures for that specific fabric. It is also important to pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine its colourfastness.

To remove cologne stains from silk, start by sponging or soaking the stain in cool water. Then, apply detergent to the stain and launder it. If the stain persists, soak the item in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon detergent, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse with water and, if necessary, sponge with rubbing alcohol before laundering again.

Leather

When dealing with leather, it is crucial to gently blot the excess liquid instead of rubbing it, as rubbing can damage the leather. Mix a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water, creating a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam with a sponge and then wipe with a clean, dry cloth. If any oil stain remains, you can apply a dry-cleaning solvent to an absorbent cloth and gently dab the stain. Once the stain is gone, apply a leather conditioner such as saddle soap.

Suede

The process for removing cologne stains from suede is similar to that of leather. Gently blot the excess liquid and mix a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water, creating a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam with a sponge and then wipe with a clean, dry cloth. If any oil stain persists, try using a dry-cleaning solvent. Gently dab the stain with an absorbent cloth soaked in the solvent. Once the stain is removed, apply a leather conditioner.

Removing cologne stains from carpet and upholstery

As cologne is oil-based, you'll need to use alcohol to break down the oil that causes the stain.

First, blot up any excess cologne with a folded absorbent cloth, absorbent paper towels, or a cotton ball. Then, using a white cotton cloth or a cotton ball, dab rubbing alcohol on the stain and blot with a clean white cloth. Keep doing this until the stain disappears.

Next, rub a white bar soap (like Ivory) onto the spot. The soap will wrap around the oil and alcohol and work to lift out the stain. Rinse and let the item air dry. If the stain is still there, repeat the process. Do not put the item in the dryer or apply heat until you’re positive the stain is gone, as the heat will set the stain.

For delicate silk or vintage fabrics, consult an upholstery professional.

Removing cologne stains from carpet

First, blot up the excess cologne. Then, tackle the stain using a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 cup of warm water. Dab the solution on the stain, then blot all liquid from the stain using a clean, white cloth.

Next, remove the detergent solution from the carpet by dabbing it with plain water and blotting up the liquid until all detergent is gone. This step is important because detergent residue will act as a dirt magnet and produce an even bigger stain if not removed.

Removing cologne stains from wallpaper

Cologne often permanently stains wallpaper, so it's important to treat the stain immediately.

First, carefully wipe the stained area with a sponge dipped in clear, cool water and wrung out until damp. Overlap strokes to prevent streaking. Then, gently pat the area dry with a clean cloth.

Next, rub the stain with a little denatured alcohol. Follow this with a liberal application of boiled linseed oil. If the stain persists, leave some oil on the surface for 24 hours, then wipe with a clean, soft cloth and polish or wax as usual.

Be careful when using commercial products or a combination of cleaning supplies. Always store and dispose of products, cans, and containers as recommended. Keep them out of the reach of children.

Preventing cologne stains

Test on scrap fabric

Before applying cologne to your clothes, test it on a piece of scrap fabric, preferably made from the same material as the garment you intend to wear. Spray the cologne and wait a while to see if a stain appears. If the fabric remains unstained, you can be more confident that the cologne won't stain your clothes.

Apply cologne to skin, not clothes

One of the best ways to prevent cologne stains is to apply the cologne directly to your skin, allowing it to dry before getting dressed. This prevents the oils in the cologne from soaking into the fabric and causing a stain.

Spray from a distance

If you're already dressed, spray your cologne from a distance of about 5 inches (12 cm) from your skin. This way, the cologne mist will be more dispersed, reducing the concentration of oils on your clothes and lowering the risk of staining.

Be cautious with white and light-coloured fabrics

Cologne stains are more noticeable on white shirts and other light-coloured fabrics, so be extra cautious when applying cologne near these garments.

Check the ingredients

Not all colognes are created equal; some are more likely to stain than others due to their ingredients. Alcohol, oils, and dyes in colognes can interact with certain fabrics and leave behind stains. If your cologne contains these ingredients, take extra care when applying it near your clothes.

Frequently asked questions