Cologne: Odor Neutralizer Or Enhancer For Clothes?

While cologne can be a great way to add a pleasant scent to your outfit, the fragrance can sometimes linger on your clothes long after you've taken them off. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to get rid of the scent and prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some common methods for removing cologne odour from clothing:

- Wash your clothes with vinegar: Use white distilled vinegar instead of soap in your washing machine. Vinegar is an effective natural deodorizer and can help eliminate odours.

- Hang clothes outside: The wind and sunlight can help naturally wash away any lingering cologne.

- Wash with lemon juice and water: Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can help break down and neutralize odours. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected areas of your clothing.

- Use laundry detergent and booster: Try washing your clothes traditionally with detergent, booster, and/or baking soda. Baking soda can help add extra scent-erasing strength.

- Apply rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol can help neutralize the scent and remove any residue from the fabric.

- Soak clothes before washing: Soak your clothes in a solution of oxygen boost, baking soda, or white vinegar to help remove any lingering scents.

- Use a scent absorber: Activated charcoal odour absorbers work by absorbing perfume molecules from the air and fabrics.

- Hang clothes to air out: Hanging your clothes in a breezy, warm, and sunlit room can help naturally dissipate the scent.

- Use an unscented laundry detergent: Wash your clothes with an unscented laundry detergent to avoid adding more scent.

- Dry clothes properly: Ensure your clothes are completely dry before wearing or storing them to prevent any remaining scent from lingering.

By following these tips and trying different methods, you can effectively remove cologne odour from your clothes and prevent it from happening in the future.

Soak clothes in a vinegar solution

Soaking clothes in a vinegar solution is an effective way to remove bad odours. White vinegar, in particular, is an excellent natural deodorizer that can eliminate odours and brighten clothes. It can also act as a fabric softener by breaking down excess detergent that makes clothes feel stiff.

To soak clothes in a vinegar solution, fill a sink, bucket, or washing machine with cool water and add one cup of white vinegar. Make sure the vessel is large enough to completely submerge the garment. Then, add the clothes and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. For more stubborn odours, you can soak them overnight.

After soaking, drain the vinegar/water solution and wash the clothes as usual with a heavy-duty laundry detergent. If the odour persists, you can repeat the process or add baking soda to your wash cycle.

It's important to note that vinegar may not be suitable for all fabrics. For example, it can break down the elastic in elastic or exercise clothing over time. Therefore, it's recommended to dilute the vinegar and only use it on these types of clothing if necessary. Additionally, avoid mixing vinegar with bleach or chlorine bleach as the combination is highly toxic.

Air clothes outside

Hanging clothes outside is a great way to get rid of unwanted odours. The fresh air, natural UV rays, and even leafy plants can all help to neutralise smells.

If you have access to an outdoor area, drape your clothes over a railing or hang them on a clothesline or hanger. If you don't have a garden, you can place them on a window ledge or near an open window with a fan.

The time needed to air out your clothes will depend on how strong the odour is. It could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks.

If you're trying to remove perfume or cologne from your clothes, you can also try washing them with vinegar, Castile soap, or baking soda, or soaking them in a mixture of lemon juice and water.

Wash with Castile soap

Castile soap is a versatile, vegetable-based soap that can be used for cleaning and personal care. It is made from natural ingredients such as olive, almond, coconut, castor, hemp, avocado, walnut, or almond oils, and it does not contain any animal fats or synthetic ingredients. It is a great eco-friendly and gentle alternative to commercial detergents, especially for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

To use Castile soap to remove bad odours from clothes, follow these steps:

• Ensure your clothes are dry before washing. This is important because moisture, such as sweat, can disrupt the reaction of the Castile soap.
• Dilute the Castile soap by adding 3-5 drops to a bucket of warm water. You can also use 1/3 to 1/2 cup of Castile soap per normal load of laundry if you're using a washing machine.
• Wash your clothes by hand in the diluted Castile soap solution. Soak the clothes in the solution for about an hour, then swish them around and wash again. You can also gently scrub any particularly smelly areas with a soft-bristled brush, but this is not necessary.
• Rinse the clothes with warm water to remove any remaining soap.
• Hang your clothes outside to dry in the sun. The heat from the sun will help activate and enhance the cleaning effect of the Castile soap. Leave the clothes outside for at least 24 hours to ensure they are completely dry.

Some additional tips for using Castile soap for laundry include:

• If you are using a washing machine, you can add baking soda (about 1/2 cup) to the load if it is particularly grimy.
• You can make a diluted mixture of Castile soap and water (1 part soap to 10 parts water) ahead of time and keep it on hand for laundry. You can also add essential oils to this mixture if you want a pleasant fragrance.
• Castile soap may not be as effective at battling tough stains, so you may need to pre-treat stains with a commercial stain remover before washing.
• Castile soap does not have the same softening properties as some commercial detergents, so you may need to use a separate fabric softener if you want softer laundry.
• Only use the recommended amount of Castile soap (1/3 to 1/2 cup) to avoid leaving a residue on your clothes.
• Do not mix Castile soap with vinegar or lemon juice, as they have different pH levels and can curdle or separate, leaving a residue on your clothes.
• If you have hard water, using Castile soap may result in soap scum or residue, so you may need to use a vinegar solution after washing.

Wash with lemon juice and water

Lemon juice is an effective natural cleaner that can be used to remove bad odours from clothes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wash your clothes with lemon juice and water:

Step 1: Make a Solution of Lemon Juice and Water

Mix equal parts of 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 do not overdo it as this can break the chemical bonds and render the mixture useless.

Step 2: Spray the Solution onto the Garment

Spray the lemon water solution onto the piece of clothing where the scent is concentrated. You can also spray the entire piece of clothing to give it a fresh, lemon scent.

Step 3: Scrub the Fabric with a Soft Brush

By brushing the fabric with a soft-bristled brush, you ensure that the solution penetrates the fabric's core and effectively removes the odour. This step also helps distribute the lemon scent evenly throughout the garment.

Step 4: Let the Garment Dry Outside

Hang the garment outside to dry. Note that this method is only recommended for dark and old clothes, as lemon juice can lighten the colour of lighter fabrics. The sun and fresh air will help eliminate any remaining odours and ensure the lemon scent is absorbed into the fabric.

Additional Tips:

• Always test the solution on a small, hidden area of the fabric first to ensure it does not affect delicate or coloured textiles.
• For best results, let the lemon juice solution sit on stains for at least one hour before laundering.
• Lemon juice can also be used as a pre-treatment for stains. Sprinkle salt on the affected area, pour lemon juice onto the item, and leave it to dry in the sun. Then, wash off the stain with soap or detergent.
• Lemon juice is a natural fabric softener and whitener when mixed with baking soda. It can be used as a safe alternative for people with sensitive skin.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a natural cleaner that can be used to remove bad odours from clothes. It neutralises odours by counteracting the acids that cause bad smells. It is most effective at removing acidic odour compounds, such as those found in sour milk, smoke, sweat, and vomit.

To use baking soda to remove odours from clothes, follow these steps:

For Washable Clothes:

• Make a baking soda solution by filling a sink or bucket with cool water and adding one cup of baking soda. You can also add four cups of hot water to help the baking soda dissolve.
• Submerge the garment in the solution and let it soak for at least four hours. Overnight is also fine.
• Wash the garment as directed using an unscented heavy-duty laundry detergent.
• Check the garment for any remaining odour. If the smell persists, repeat the above steps.
• Dry the garment as directed by the care label or on a clothesline in the fresh air.

For Non-Washable Clothes:

• Hang the garment outside on a breezy day to air out.
• If the odour remains, place the garment in a sealable container or heavy-duty plastic bag with an open box of baking soda.
• Let the container remain sealed for several days as the baking soda absorbs the odours.
• Repeat the process if necessary, using a fresh box of baking soda each time, until the odour is gone.
• Hang the clothing outside, away from direct sunlight, to air-dry.

For Quick Odour Removal:

• Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the affected areas of the garment.
• Let the baking soda sit for about five minutes, then remove it with a stiff brush.
• Alternatively, put the garment in a plastic bag, add half a cup of baking soda, and shake the bag thoroughly.
• Let the garment sit for about 10 minutes, then remove it from the bag and shake off any remaining baking soda.

For Soaking Washable Clothes:

• Mix half a cup of baking soda into a sink or bucket full of water.
• Submerge the garment and let it soak for several hours or overnight.
• If the odour is persistent or has been on the clothing for a long time, apply a paste of baking soda and water directly to the affected areas before soaking.

For Removing Sweat Odours:

• Mix one cup of baking soda into a washer tub of lukewarm water.
• Add the clothes and let them soak for at least 24 hours.
• Follow by washing as directed.

For Removing Gasoline, Oil, or Mechanical Odours:

• Place smelly clothes in a bag with a baking soda and water mixture.
• Seal the bag and let it sit for a day or two before washing.
• Hand-wash oily or greasy items to prevent spreading the oil to other clothes in the washing machine.

Baking soda can also be added to your regular laundry cycle to boost its odour-fighting power. Simply add half a cup of baking soda to the wash load of your top-loader or front-loader machine. Sprinkle the baking soda directly onto the clothes rather than adding it to the detergent cup or compartment.

In addition to its odour-fighting properties, baking soda can also help brighten and whiten clothes.

Frequently asked questions