How To Ensure Cologne Lingers After A Shower

Whether you've spritzed on too much of your favourite scent or want to remove the smell of a fragrance you dislike, there are several methods to remove cologne. The simplest way is to wash the area with soap and water, although this may not be completely effective. To remove cologne from the skin, other methods include using hand sanitiser, dish soap, vodka or alcohol, or unscented hand cream. To remove cologne from clothing, you can use vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, or laundry detergent.

Soaking clothes in baking soda and vinegar

While cologne can be washed off, the methods to do so vary depending on the fabric and the intensity of the scent.

Now, onto the topic of soaking clothes in baking soda and vinegar.

Soaking clothes in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be an effective way to remove stains and odours, as well as soften and refresh garments. However, it is important to note that baking soda and vinegar should not be combined in the same cycle, as they will cancel out each other's benefits. Instead, they should be used separately.

Baking Soda

Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is a mild alkali that helps dissolve dirt and greasy stains. It also deodorises by neutralising odour molecules. When using baking soda to soak clothes, follow these steps:

• Clean out your bathtub or bucket.
• Fill the tub/bucket with around five litres of warm water.
• Add a cup of baking soda to the water and use a long spoon to mix it.
• Submerge the clothes you wish to clean in the water and leave them to soak overnight.
• In the morning, remove the garments, drain the water, and rinse the items under a tap.
• If the clothes still require cleaning, repeat the process.
• Finally, hang the laundry to dry or wash them as usual.

Baking soda is generally safe for most fabrics but may affect delicate protein-based materials such as wool, silk, and cashmere. It is always recommended to perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before soaking the entire garment.

Vinegar

Vinegar, particularly distilled white vinegar, is an effective cleaner due to its mild acidic properties. It helps remove stains and cut through residue left by deodorants and other products. To use vinegar for removing scents from clothing, follow these steps:

• Ensure that the garment is free of moisture, as this can disrupt the reaction of the vinegar.
• Load the garment into the washing machine and add approximately 240 mL of vinegar instead of soap. There is no need to separate the piece of clothing from the rest of the load.
• Wash the load as normal, using the same settings as if detergent was used.
• After the cycle is complete, dry the clothes in the dryer with scented or unscented dryer sheets. Ensure the clothes are completely dry to prevent the development of musty smells.

Vinegar can also be added to the rinse cycle of a regular wash to soften fabrics and reduce pet hair. Simply add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the cycle instead of fabric softener.

Combining Baking Soda and Vinegar

While baking soda and vinegar should not be combined in the same wash cycle, they can be used together to tackle particularly stubborn stains or odours. To do this, add 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the washing machine drum before starting the wash cycle. This combination effectively removes tough stains and fights against harmful bacteria.

Using lemon juice and water

Lemon juice is an effective natural cleaner with a fresh scent. It can be used to remove cologne from clothes, although it is important to note that lemon juice should only be used on dark or old clothes, as it has the potential to wash out lighter fabrics.

To use lemon juice to remove cologne from clothes, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Lemon Juice 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 do not overdo it, as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it ineffective.

Step 2: Spray the Garment

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

Step 3: Scrub the Fabric

Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the areas where you applied the solution. This helps distribute the lemon scent evenly throughout the garment and ensures that the solution penetrates the fabric's core to effectively remove the cologne.

Step 4: Air Dry Outside

Hang the garment outside to dry. While sunlight and fresh air help eliminate any remaining cologne scent, they also ensure that the lemon scent is absorbed into the fabric. However, be cautious when drying dark-coloured clothes in the sun, as bright sunlight can cause dyes to fade.

In addition to removing cologne from clothes, lemon juice can be used for various other cleaning purposes:

• Removing Stains: Lemon juice can be used to remove stains from marble countertops, dishes, storage containers, and even yellow underarm stains from clothing.
• Descaling: Lemon juice is effective at descaling coffee makers, tea kettles, and electric kettles due to its ability to remove mineral deposits.
• Deodorizing: Lemon juice can be used to freshen up your refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and garbage disposal.
• Polishing: Lemon juice can be used to polish metal surfaces, such as chrome faucets, stainless steel pots, and copper pots.
• Cleaning: Lemon juice is a natural antibacterial agent and can be used to clean cutting boards, stovetops, countertops, and even the cheese grater.
• Limescale Removal: If you live in an area with hard water, lemon juice can help remove limescale deposits from faucets, sinks, shower screens, showerheads, and coffee machines.
• Window and Mirror Cleaning: A solution of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle can be used to clean windows and mirrors without leaving streaks.

While lemon juice is a versatile and effective natural cleaner, it is important to note that it is not a disinfectant. For surfaces that require disinfection, a stronger cleaning agent should be used.

Airing out clothing

• Find a well-ventilated area: Choose a breezy spot, preferably outdoors, to hang your clothes. If you don't have access to an outdoor space, consider placing your clothes near an open window or using a fan to generate airflow.
• Hang clothes properly: Ensure your clothes are hung properly to maximise air circulation and speed up the drying process. Spread out your garments, staggering them according to weight, with thicker items hung higher up. For shirts or trousers, consider using coat hangers and smoothing out the legs or sleeves to reduce ironing time later.
• Avoid stacking: When hanging your clothes, avoid placing them on top of each other. Give each item as much space as possible to allow for adequate air circulation.
• Turn dark-coloured clothes inside out: If you're airing your clothes outdoors, turn dark-coloured items inside out to avoid sun damage.
• Give it time: The time required to air out clothing will depend on the intensity of the odour. It can range from a few hours to a couple of days.
• Use natural odour absorbers: Sunlight and plants are natural odour absorbers. Hanging your clothes outdoors in the sun or in a room filled with leafy plants can help eliminate unwanted scents.
• Baking soda: If you're unable to hang your clothes, placing them in a sealed container with baking soda can help absorb odours. Leave the items sealed for at least 72 hours.

Vodka spray

The alcohol in the vodka acts as a natural deodoriser, breaking down and neutralising unpleasant smells. When sprayed onto clothing, the vodka mixture can penetrate the fabric and eliminate odour-causing bacteria, leaving the clothing smelling fresh and clean.

How to Make Vodka Spray

To make vodka spray, you will need a spray bottle, vodka, and water (optional). Mix the vodka and water in the spray bottle, shaking the bottle to combine the ingredients. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to your vodka spray for added fragrance. However, be sure to use only light-coloured oils as darker oils, such as rose absolute essential oil, can stain fabrics.

How to Use Vodka Spray

Hang the garment on a hanger and lightly spray the vodka onto the areas of the costume that come into contact with the parts of the body that sweat the most, such as the armpits and crotch. Be careful not to oversaturate the fabric. Allow the vodka to dry completely before wearing or storing the garment. If the costume has a strong odour, you may need to repeat the process several times.

Benefits of Vodka Spray

Hand sanitiser

To use hand sanitiser effectively, ensure you use enough to cover the front and back of your hands, and rub the gel into your skin for at least 30 seconds, until it has dried completely.

Frequently asked questions