
Getting rid of strong perfume smells from your hair can be challenging. Some people recommend washing your hair multiple times with fragrance-free shampoo, while others suggest using natural remedies like baking soda, vinegar, or coconut oil. Some strong perfume smells may be due to high hair porosity, which is the hair's ability to retain and absorb moisture and odour. Heat styling without proper protection can also contribute to high porosity, as extreme temperatures can create gaps and tears in the hair cuticle, allowing odours to cling to the hair. To prevent strong perfume smells, it is recommended to apply perfume sparingly and avoid heat styling tools.
Characteristics and their values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to get rid of the perfume smell | Few hours to a few days |
| Ease of removal | Standard wash is enough in most cases |
| Smell after removal | Natural hair smell in most cases |
| Products used for removal | Baking soda, vinegar, coconut oil, liquid Castile soap, fragrance-free shampoo, etc. |
| Side effects | Irritation, dry hair, etc. |
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What You'll Learn

Try a baking soda solution
Baking soda is one of the most effective natural cleaners. It is widely used to eliminate unwanted smells and neutralise odours. To use baking soda to get rid of perfume smells from your hair, you can try the following methods:
Baking Soda Paste
Make a paste by mixing baking soda with a little water and apply it to your hair. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with water. This method is known to work well on both skin and fabrics.
Baking Soda Solution
Add a cup of baking soda to your laundry during the rinse cycle to neutralise perfume odours. You can also soak your clothes in a baking soda solution in the washing machine, then run the load. You can add more detergent if you want, but baking soda is usually sufficient to remove residual scents.
Baking Soda Soak
For very stubborn smells, you can try leaving the baking soda to absorb the odour and then use an enzyme cleaner to fully break it down.
Detox Bath
Draw a bath with Epsom salt or baking soda and soak in it to help draw out fragrances from your skin and hair. Ensure you rinse well after soaking to remove any lingering scent.
Sprinkle on Scalp
Sprinkle some baking soda on your scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, and then brush it out thoroughly.
It is important to note that baking soda typically takes at least 24 hours to absorb odours, and for stubborn smells, it can take several days. Additionally, baking soda has the potential to dry out your skin and hair, so make sure to rinse it properly and apply a hydrating moisturiser or conditioner afterwards.
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Wash hair with shampoo multiple times
If you're struggling to get rid of a strong perfume smell in your hair, one of the most effective methods is to wash your hair with shampoo multiple times.
Washing your hair with a good shampoo can help remove any lingering perfume smell. It is recommended to use a fragrance-free shampoo for this purpose. In some cases, you may need to wash your hair several times to completely get rid of the scent. One person reported that they had to wash their hair four times to remove the smell of a strong curling cream. Another person shared that they washed their hair three times with Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo to successfully eliminate the perfume scent.
If you want to enhance the effectiveness of shampoo, you can try using natural products like baking soda or vinegar before shampooing. Baking soda, known for its odour-absorbing properties, can be applied to the hair as a paste, left for a few minutes, and then rinsed off before shampooing. Similarly, vinegar, a powerful odour neutralizer, can be mixed with equal parts water and sprayed onto the hair. Allow it to dry naturally, and the vinegar smell will fade, taking the perfume scent with it.
In addition to multiple washes, you can try other methods to support the process. Exposing your hair to sunlight and fresh air by spending time outdoors can help dissipate the perfume smell. You can also try using liquid Castile soap, a recommended option for effectively removing strong fragrances.
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Use a vinegar solution
If you're struggling to get rid of a strong perfume smell from your hair, a vinegar solution may be able to help. Vinegar is a powerful odour neutraliser and can help to dissipate the scent.
To use this method, start by mixing equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution all over your hair, making sure to cover all the areas with the lingering perfume scent. Allow your hair to dry naturally—the strong vinegar smell will fade as it dries, taking the perfume scent with it.
If you don't have a spray bottle, you can also try soaking your hair in vinegar. Simply fill a basin or sink with equal parts vinegar and water, and fully submerge your hair. Make sure to protect your eyes from the vinegar solution. Leave your hair to soak for a few minutes before rinsing and drying as usual.
While vinegar is an effective odour neutraliser, it may not work for everyone. Some people may find that the vinegar smell lingers in their hair, or that it dries out their hair. If you're concerned about the vinegar smell lingering, you can try rinsing your hair with water and a mild, fragrance-free shampoo after applying the vinegar solution.
It's important to note that vinegar may not be suitable for all hair types, especially if you have colour-treated or chemically processed hair. If you're unsure, it's always best to do a small patch test first or consult a hair care professional for advice.
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Soak hair in coconut oil
Soaking your hair in coconut oil can be beneficial for hair nourishment, hair conditioning, and hair repair. However, it is important to note that coconut oil should not be left in the hair for too long, as it may attract dust and cause buildup, leading to hair fall. The recommended duration for leaving coconut oil in the hair is 30 minutes to achieve smooth and shiny hair.
If you wish to remove the excess coconut oil from your hair, there are several methods you can try:
Lemon Juice and Water
Mix the juice of half a lemon or two fresh lemons with a cup or 8 fluid ounces of water. Pour this mixture over your hair and scalp, massaging it into your hair. Leave it on for a few minutes, and then rinse it out with warm or lukewarm water. The acidity in lemon juice helps to remove grease and excess oil from your hair.
Aloe Vera and Shampoo
Add a teaspoon of aloe vera gel to your normal shampoo. Massage the shampoo into your hair and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, wash your hair as you normally would.
Egg Wash
Apply half a cup of egg whites or the entire egg to your scalp and hair. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then shampoo your hair to remove the egg and the excess coconut oil.
Baking Soda
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste. Massage the paste into your scalp and hair for 5 to 10 minutes. Baking soda is said to cleanse the scalp effectively without removing the natural oils from the hair.
Dry Shampoo and Cornstarch
Apply dry shampoo, cornstarch, or baby powder to your roots, and then comb through your hair. These dry-hair solutions help absorb the excess coconut oil, leaving your hair feeling fresh.
It is important to note that while coconut oil has many benefits for hair care, it is crucial to wash it out thoroughly to avoid potential buildup and hair fall.
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Wash hairbrush in soapy water
If you're struggling to get rid of a strong perfume smell in your hair, there are several methods you can try. Firstly, a standard wash with fragrance-free shampoo should be enough to remove the scent. If this doesn't work, you could try washing your hair multiple times with Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo or a similar product, and rinsing with apple cider vinegar in between washes. Alternatively, you could try using a liquid Castile soap, which is designed to neutralize odors without the use of masking agents or fragrances.
Now, onto hairbrush maintenance. It's important to regularly clean your hairbrush to prevent a buildup of oil, dirt, dust, hair products, and dead skin cells, which can all be transferred back into your hair. The frequency of cleaning will depend on how often you use your hairbrush and what types of products you use on your hair. If you use styling products regularly, you should aim to clean your hairbrush once a week. If you don't use many products, you can clean your brush every 2-3 weeks.
Here's a step-by-step guide to washing your hairbrush in soapy water:
- Start by removing any hair that's wrapped around the brush bristles. You can use your fingers to yank out the hair, or try cutting through dense sections with scissors.
- In a bowl or sink, add some warm water and soap, and swish to create a sudsy solution. For synthetic brushes, you can use any type of soap, such as dish soap, shampoo, or body wash. If you're using a natural brush with wooden or boar bristles, opt for a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.
- Submerge the bristles of your brush in the soapy water and let it soak for about 10 minutes. This will help break down any stubborn clumps or buildup. If you have a wooden brush, avoid soaking it completely, and briefly dip the bristles instead.
- After soaking, use a clean toothbrush to scrub between the bristles and the brush pad. Focus on the base of the bristles and work upward to remove any remaining buildup.
- Rinse the brush under a stream of cool water to remove any soapy residue. Squeeze the brush repeatedly to remove any water that may have entered the cushioned part. Avoid getting water trapped inside the brush, as this can cause bacteria to grow.
- Place the brush bristle-side down on a clean towel and leave it to air dry.
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Frequently asked questions
Try washing your hair with a shampoo that contains tea tree oil, or baking soda. You can also try soaking your hairbrush in soapy water or a sulfate-free shampoo to get rid of the smell.
You can try using natural oils like coconut or olive oil to dissolve fragrance molecules. Massage the oil into your hair and then wipe it off with a warm, damp cloth.
Try using a dry shampoo like Kérastase Fresh Affair Refreshing Dry Shampoo, or a hair perfume. These products are formulated to be free of strand-stripping ingredients.
The natural oils on your scalp can amplify the fragrance, making it more pronounced and causing it to linger for longer.
Cut down on the use of hot tools and air-dry your hair as often as possible. When using heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant spray to your hair.











































