Antonio Mcgowan
Getting rid of perfume smells from clothes can be challenging, especially when caused by heavily scented laundry products. However, there are several effective methods to eliminate persistent smells from clothes. Perfume is made up of alcohol, water, and scented oils, and the oil is what makes the scent linger. Soaking clothes in warm water and baking soda, or a combination of vinegar, lemon juice, and water can help remove the scent. Other methods include using vodka or alcohol, essential oils, or laundry boosters.
How to Get Perfume Smell Out of Clothes Fast
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking | Soak clothes in warm water and baking soda before washing. Repeat the airing-soaking-washing-drying cycle several times if necessary. |
| Washing | Wash clothes with unscented laundry detergent and distilled white vinegar. Add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is rinsed off. |
| Drying | Dry clothes in the dryer with scented or unscented dryer sheets. Ensure clothes are completely dry to prevent musty smells. |
| Airing | Hang clothes outside in the sun and wind to naturally remove perfume smells. |
| Natural solutions | Use lemon juice and water, baking soda, coffee grounds, or essential oils to neutralize perfume smells. |
| Commercial products | Use Febreze, laundry boosters, or scented laundry detergents to mask or eliminate perfume smells. |
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What You'll Learn
Soak in baking soda and water
Soaking your clothes in a baking soda and water solution is an effective way to remove unwanted perfume smells. Baking soda is alkaline, which means it's great at neutralising and killing acidic odours. It can also absorb oils and grease, which can cause lingering smells.
To create the solution, mix half a cup of baking soda into a sink or bucket full of water. Stir the mixture periodically as your clothing soaks. Allow the clothes to soak for several hours or overnight. If the perfume smell is particularly strong, you may need to soak your clothes for a few days.
After soaking, wash the clothing as usual, following the care label guidelines. Wash by hand or in a washing machine, using an unscented laundry detergent. You can also add a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Let the laundry soak for an hour before completing the cycle. The vinegar will help to cut through any remaining perfume residue in the fibres. Finally, add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is rinsed from your clothing.
If you don't have time to soak your clothes, you can place them in a sealed plastic tub or heavy-duty plastic bag with a box of baking soda. The baking soda will absorb the odours, just like it does in your refrigerator. Leave the bag sealed for a day or two before washing.
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Hang in the sun and wind
Hanging your clothes in the sun and wind is a great way to naturally remove perfume smells. The sun's heat and UV rays react with the chemical composition of the scent, helping to lock it out after washing. The wind will also help to naturally wash away any lingering perfume.
If you're going to try this method, it's important to be mindful of the morning dew, as this can leave your clothes wet for a while. You should also be aware that the sun can lighten the colour of your clothes, so it's best to avoid this method if your clothing is brightly coloured.
To make the most of this technique, you can combine it with other approaches. For example, you could try spraying your clothes with a natural scent like lemon juice and water, or essential oils and vinegar, before hanging them out in the sun and wind to dry. You could also try using dryer balls with essential oils to give your clothes a calm scent after washing.
If you're short on time, you could try hanging your clothes outside for several hours to air them out.
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Use lemon juice and water
Lemon juice and water is an effective method for removing perfume smells from clothes. Lemon juice is a natural deodorizer and stain remover. Its mild acidity breaks up scent molecules, helping to eliminate odours.
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 the solution thoroughly, but do not overdo it, as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it useless.
Spray the lemon water solution directly onto the affected areas of the clothing, focusing on areas where the scent is concentrated. If possible, hang the clothes outside in direct sunlight for a few hours. The combination of lemon juice and sunlight will help to eliminate the perfume smell. The sun also helps to ensure that the lemon scent is absorbed into the garment, leaving it smelling fresh and clean.
For delicate fabrics, such as silk or lace, it is recommended to consult the care label and follow the manufacturer's instructions. It is also important to note that lemon juice may lighten the colour of clothing, so it is best to avoid this method for brightly coloured garments, and always do a spot test first to ensure it does not cause any discoloration.
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Vinegar in the wash cycle
Vinegar is a great natural deodorizer and can be used in the wash cycle to eliminate odours from clothes. It is a powerful everyday cleaner and a great green option.
Firstly, ensure the garment you are attempting to wash is free of moisture, such as sweat. Next, add your clothes to the washing machine. Pour one cup of vinegar directly onto your clothes after you have put them in the washer. You can also add a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle and stop the cycle. Let the clothes soak for an hour before completing the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help cut through perfume residue in the fibres.
You can also make a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water and mix it in a spray bottle. Test the solution on an inconspicuous area to make sure the colour doesn't run or change. If it is safe to use, flip the clothes inside out and spray the entire garment.
After washing, it is best to hang your clothes outside in the sunlight to dry, rather than using a dryer. The sunlight will help absorb any remaining odours.
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Vodka spray
To make a vodka spray, pour vodka into a spray bottle, filling about two-thirds of the bottle. Fill the remaining third with water. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to mask the smell of alcohol, if desired. Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients.
When ready to use, hold the bottle about 6-8 inches away from the fabric and spray liberally over the smelly spots. You can also use this method to remove odours from delicate fabrics that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned, such as vintage costumes. However, it is recommended to check with a wardrobe supervisor before spraying, as some fabrics, like silk, may require adjustments to the mixture or application method.
While vodka spray is an effective odour remover, it is not a stain remover. It is also important to note that this method may not be suitable for silk clothing, as the alcohol can interact with the fabric.
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Frequently asked questions
Try soaking the clothes in a mixture of warm water and baking soda before washing them.
You can try using a lemon and water solution, a vinegar solution, or a vodka spray.
Hang the clothes outdoors to let the wind and sunlight remove the scent. If that doesn't work, try placing them in an enclosed cardboard box with a scent-remover.
Yes, you can try using a commercial "scent eliminator" product, such as Febreze.
