Anisha Riggs
Getting rid of perfume smells from clothes can be challenging, especially if the scent is from heavily scented laundry products like fabric softeners and dryer sheets. The good news is that there are several effective methods to eliminate persistent smells from clothes, whether it's from perfume, laundry detergent, or fabric softener. The time it takes for the smell of perfume to leave clothing depends on the amount and concentration of the perfume used. Here are some methods to help speed up the process and get rid of that stubborn perfume smell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of removing perfume smell | Relatively easy |
| Reasons for lingering perfume smell | Preservatives, additives like alcohol and petroleum chemicals |
| Most challenging scents to remove | Fabric softeners and dryer sheets |
| Soaking time | Overnight or a few days |
| Soaking vessel | Large enough to submerge the garment completely |
| Wash after soaking | Follow care label guidelines |
| Additive to rinse cycle | 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar |
| Dry washed clothes | Clothesline or drying rack in fresh air and sunlight |
| Dryer setting | Low-temperature setting |
| Storage of fragrant clothes | Sealed plastic tub or heavy-duty plastic bag with a box of baking soda |
| Commercial products | Scent eliminator, Febreze |
| Natural solutions | Lemon juice and water, isopropyl alcohol, baking soda, vinegar, Castile soap |
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What You'll Learn
Air clothes out
Airing out your clothes is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to get rid of perfume smells. The sun and wind may completely remove the scent, and if not, they will dilute it.
If you have the option, hang your clothes outside in direct sunlight for a couple of days. The sun's UV rays can help break down odours. If you don't want to hang your clothes outside, you can hang them in an enclosed cardboard box or wardrobe. Place a box of baking soda at the bottom of the box or wardrobe and leave your clothes enclosed for at least 72 hours.
If you're airing out your clothes outside, be mindful of the morning dew, which can leave your clothes wet for a while. If you're airing out delicate dry-clean-only clothes, avoid hanging them out in the rain.
Airing out your clothes is most effective when combined with other methods. Before hanging your clothes to air, you can try spraying them with a mixture of vinegar and water, or lemon juice and water. You can also try pre-soaking them with baking soda, or a detergent containing enzymes.
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Use baking soda
Baking soda is a great option to get perfume smells out of clothes. It works as a deodorizer by neutralizing other chemicals.
If you are planning to wash your clothes, add half a cup of baking soda to your regular detergent during the wash cycle. This will enhance your detergent's effectiveness in eliminating odors. You can also soak your clothes in a mixture of water and baking soda before washing them. Simply fill a sink or washing machine with warm water and add one cup of baking soda. Make sure the vessel is large enough to submerge the garment completely. Leave the clothes to soak overnight, and then wash them as usual.
If you don't have time to wash your clothes, you can still use baking soda to absorb odors. Place the fragrant garments in a sealed plastic tub or heavy-duty plastic bag with a box or bowl full of baking soda. Leave the clothes in the container for a few days. The baking soda will absorb the odors, just like it does in your refrigerator.
You can also try sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda directly onto the affected areas of fabric. Leave the baking soda on the garment for a couple of hours or overnight, and then shake or brush it off. This method will help absorb the odor and leave your clothes smelling fresh.
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Wash clothes with vinegar
Vinegar is an effective way to remove perfume smells from clothes. According to Harvard's School of Public Health, vinegar is a fantastic everyday cleaner due to its chemical composition. It can also brighten and soften clothes.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the garment is free of moisture. Next, create a mixture of vinegar and water. The recommended ratio of vinegar to water varies, with sources suggesting a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water, or a 1:1 solution. Soak the clothes in the mixture, then wash them with added baking soda. Alternatively, add a quarter to one cup of vinegar to the washer during the last rinse cycle. If the smell persists, replace the detergent with vinegar and add it a second time in the rinse cycle.
If you are using a washing machine, add the vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. Pause the machine before the final rinse cycle and add a half cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.
You can also try spraying a solution of vinegar and essential oils, such as lavender or eucalyptus, onto the affected areas of the garment. Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse or wash the fabric.
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Vodka spray
To make a vodka spray, purchase a cheap, high-proof vodka and pour it into a spray bottle. A fine mist spray bottle is ideal for delicate fabrics, while any spray bottle will do for sturdier materials like wool.
Simply spritz the vodka spray onto the affected areas of your clothes. As the vodka evaporates, it will remove the unwanted odours from the fabric.
For added scent and cleaning power, you can include a few drops of essential oils to your vodka spray. Lemon, lime, and tea tree oils are great natural disinfectants and provide a fresh scent. However, be cautious when adding essential oils to your spray, as they are highly concentrated and can affect some garments.
While vodka spray is an effective method for removing perfume smells, airing out your clothes and hanging them in a warm, sunny spot is also a simple way to naturally eliminate odours.
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Soak in lemon and water
Soaking clothes in a lemon and water solution is an effective way to remove perfume smells. Lemon juice contains mild acids that break up scent molecules, leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
To make a lemon and water solution, mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. For example, if you have 100ml of lemon juice, add 100ml of water. Make sure to mix the solution thoroughly, but don't overdo it as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it useless.
Once you have prepared your lemon and water solution, spray it onto the sections of the clothing that have absorbed the perfume. Allow the solution to sit for 15-30 minutes. After this, you can either rinse the fabric or launder it as usual.
It is important to note that lemon juice combined with sunlight may bleach or stain certain garments. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid harsh machine drying, as this will negate the lemon scent. Instead, allow the clothes to dry naturally in the sun.
If the perfume smell persists, you may need to repeat the airing, soaking, washing, and drying cycle several times. You can also try combining the lemon and water solution with other methods, such as vinegar or baking soda, to enhance its effectiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods to get rid of perfume smell from clothes. You can try:
- Soaking the clothes in vinegar, then applying a baking soda paste.
- Soaking the clothes in Borax for two days.
- Using a lemon and water solution.
- Using essential oils and vinegar.
- Airing out the clothes.
The time taken for the perfume smell to leave your clothes depends on the amount of perfume sprayed and its concentration. Generally, it can take from several hours to several weeks.
Drying your clothes in sunlight is the best way to get rid of the smell.
You can use baking soda, vinegar, lemon, or alcohol to neutralise the smell.
The best way to prevent your clothes from smelling like perfume is to avoid using heavily scented laundry products, such as fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
