Anisha Riggs
Getting perfume out of clothes can be a challenge, especially if the scent has sunk deep into the fabric fibres. The good news is that there are several methods to try, and many of them use inexpensive, readily available household products. The first step is to identify the type of fabric and the intensity of the scent. The next step is to choose a suitable method, such as soaking the garment in a solution of baking soda and water, or white vinegar and water, which can neutralise odours. Other methods include using natural remedies like lemon juice, coffee grounds, or essential oils, or commercial products like Febreze, Oxiclean, or laundry boosters. For delicate fabrics, hand washing with Castile soap and warm water is recommended, while dry-clean-only items should be hung outside to air dry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of removal | Depends on the type of fabric and the product used to infuse the scent into the clothes |
| Time taken | A few hours to a few days |
| Methods | Baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, alcohol, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, essential oils, fabric refreshers, Castile soap, coffee grounds, laundry boosters, stain removers |
| Effectiveness | Depends on the method used and the intensity of the perfume scent; some scents may not be removed completely but may be reduced to a tolerable level |
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What You'll Learn
Soak in baking soda
Soaking clothes in baking soda is an effective way to remove perfume smells. Baking soda is alkaline, which means it can kill acidic odors, but it can also eliminate other types of odors. It also has the ability to absorb oils and grease, thereby removing their odors.
To soak your clothes in baking soda, fill a sink or washing machine with warm water and add one cup of baking soda. Make sure the vessel is large enough to fully submerge the clothes. Dissolve the baking soda fully in the water before adding the clothes. Let the clothes soak for a few hours, or overnight, then gently agitate them by hand or with your washing machine's gentle cycle. After soaking, be sure to rinse the clothes well to remove any residue.
For heavy odor problems, you can create a pre-soak solution by mixing baking soda with water. You can also add vinegar to this mixture for an extra deodorizing boost. After soaking your clothes in the solution, wash them as usual, following the care label guidelines. You can add vinegar to the rinse cycle to help cut through perfume residue in the fibers.
If you don't have time to wash your clothes, you can place them in a sealed container with a box or bowl full of baking soda. Leave them for at least 72 hours, or until the odors are removed. This method works because the molecules in the air react to the baking soda, allowing it to grasp and neutralize the odors.
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Use lemon juice and water
Lemon juice and water is an effective way to remove perfume smells from clothes. Lemon juice is a natural deodorizer and can be used on coloured clothes, but it's important to do a spot test first to ensure it doesn't cause any discolouration.
To use this method, 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 it thoroughly. Then, spray the solution onto the areas of the clothes that have been soaked with perfume.
After spraying the solution, you can leave the clothes to air out. If possible, place them in direct sunlight for a few hours. The combination of lemon juice and sunlight will help to eliminate the perfume smell and brighten your clothes.
Alternatively, after spraying the lemon water solution onto the affected areas, you can wait for 15-30 minutes and then rinse the fabric or wash it normally. The mild acid in the lemon juice will break up the scent molecules, eliminating the odour.
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Vodka or rubbing alcohol spray
To use this method, pour vodka or rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and spritz it directly onto the areas of clothing with a heavy perfume odour. As the alcohol evaporates, it will remove the perfume odour from the fabric. This method can also be used to sanitise clothing and kill bacteria that cause odours.
It is important to note that rubbing alcohol may add a harsh smell to the fabric. To avoid this, some people prefer to use vodka, which is odourless. However, if you are using vodka, you may want to add essential oils to your spray bottle for added scent and cleaning power. For example, lemon, lime, or tea tree essential oils have natural disinfectant properties and can provide a fresh scent. Be careful not to add too many drops of essential oil to your spray, as it can affect the fabric of some garments.
This method is a simple and effective way to remove perfume odours from clothing without having to wash the items. However, if the odour persists, you may need to try a different method, such as soaking the clothing in baking soda and water or using a commercial scent eliminator product.
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Castile soap
To use Castile soap to remove perfume smells, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, dilute the soap by adding a few drops to a bucket of warm water. You only need a small amount of soap to create an effective mixture. Ensure that you mix it thoroughly to avoid high concentration spots.
Next, hand wash the clothing by swishing the garments around in the bucket. You can also gently scrub any particularly strong-smelling areas with a soft-bristled brush, although this is not necessary.
After washing, rinse the clothes with warm water to remove any soap residue.
Finally, hang the garments out in the sun to dry. The sun's rays and heat will further activate the soap's effect, ensuring the perfume smell is eliminated. Leave the clothes out for at least 24 hours to guarantee complete dryness and the removal of the scent.
If the scent persists, you can repeat this process as often as needed. You can also try combining this method with other odour-removing techniques, such as pre-soaking the clothes in a mixture of vinegar and water, or using baking soda.
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Dry cleaning
If you want to get rid of the dry cleaning smell, there are a few remedies you can try. Firstly, let your garments air out in a warm spot for a few days. The heat from the sun will cause the perc to evaporate, and the smell will go away. If you're in a pinch, baking soda is an effective odour absorber. Attach a small sock filled with baking soda to the sealed garment bag containing the odorous item and leave it for a few days. The baking soda will absorb the unpleasant smell, leaving your clothes fresh and ready to wear.
Another option is to use vinegar, a fantastic everyday cleaner. Mix plain white vinegar with hot water in a bathtub and let it steam up. Hang your clothes near the bathtub and leave them for a few hours to absorb the steam. The vinegar will neutralise the smell of perc.
If these methods don't work, consider taking your items to a wet cleaner. Wet cleaning uses gentler detergents and solvents than traditional dry cleaning and will effectively remove the dry cleaning scent.
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Frequently asked questions
Air your clothes out for several hours or even a few weeks. The longer you air them out, the easier they'll be to wash.
Wash them with vinegar or baking soda, or soak them in a mixture of both.
Try a commercial "scent eliminator" product or an essential oil and vinegar mix.
Dryer sheets are bad for textiles, especially towels and terry cotton clothes. Instead, dry your clothes on a clothesline or drying rack in the fresh air and sunlight.
You can also try using alcohol, like vodka or rubbing alcohol, to neutralise the smell.
