Removing Stubborn Cologne Stains And Scents From Your Clothes

Getting cologne out of clothes can be a challenging task, but there are several methods to help eliminate the scent. Firstly, it is important to wash the clothes as soon as possible after they have been saturated with cologne. This can be done by soaking the clothes in a solution of vinegar and water or lemon juice and water, which can help to break down the cologne molecules. The clothes can then be washed in the machine with warm water and a strong detergent, along with a substance like baking soda or vinegar, which have odour-neutralising properties. Alternatively, specialised products like enzymatic laundry detergents or activated charcoal odour absorbers can be used to eliminate the scent. For dry-clean-only items, it is best to air the clothes out and use a fabric refresher.

Soak in vinegar and water

Soaking your clothes in a mixture of vinegar and water is an effective way to remove cologne from your clothes. This method is also a great, natural, and eco-friendly way to get rid of unwanted scents.

Firstly, make sure the clothes are completely dry. If the clothes are not dry, the molecules of moisture could disrupt the reaction that will take place when vinegar is applied. Next, fill a sink or a washing machine with warm water and add about 240ml of vinegar. You can also add one cup of baking soda to the mixture. Submerge the clothes completely in the solution and let them soak. The length of time you should soak the clothes depends on how strong the scent is. It could be a few hours or a few days. However, it is probably more effective to repeat shorter soaks, along with the airing, washing, and drying cycle several times.

After soaking, wash the clothes as you normally would, following the care label guidelines, either in a washing machine or by hand with an unscented laundry detergent. You can also add a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle and let the laundry soak for an hour before completing the cycle. The vinegar will help cut through the cologne residue in the fibres. To ensure all the detergent is rinsed from your clothing, add an extra rinse cycle.

Finally, dry the freshly washed clothes on a clothesline or drying rack in the fresh air and sunlight. Sunlight will help remove the odours, but bright sunlight can also cause dyes to fade, so hang dark colours in the shade.

Wash with lemon juice and water

Lemon juice is a great natural solution to remove cologne from clothes. Its citric acid helps to break down and neutralise odours, and it leaves clothes smelling fresh and clean.

To use this method, start by making a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water. For example, if you have 100ml of lemon juice, add 100ml of water. Mix the solution thoroughly but don't overdo it, as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it useless.

Next, spray the solution onto the piece of clothing where the scent is concentrated. You can also spray the entire piece of clothing if you want to give it a fresh scent. After spraying, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the areas where you applied the solution. This helps to ensure that the solution penetrates the fabric's core and effectively removes the scent. It also helps to distribute the lemon scent evenly throughout the garment.

Finally, let the garment dry outside in the sun. This step is crucial for two reasons. Firstly, the sun and wind will help to remove any lingering odours. Secondly, it ensures that the lemon scent is absorbed into the garment, leaving it smelling fresh. Note that this method is only recommended for dark and old clothes, as lemon juice can potentially wash out lighter fabrics.

If you're looking for a quick fix, you can also try rubbing a fresh lemon slice onto the affected area of clothing. This will help to neutralise the cologne scent.

Use laundry detergent and booster

If you're struggling to get cologne out of your clothes, it might be time to try a laundry detergent and booster. This method is particularly useful if other approaches, such as hanging your clothes outside or washing them with Castile soap, haven't worked.

Firstly, add 1/2 cup of detergent, booster, and/or baking soda. You can use your regular detergent or a specialised enzymatic detergent, which contains enzymes that break down odour-causing molecules. If you're using a liquid detergent, try one with bleach to give your wash an extra boost of cleaning power.

Next, wash your clothes in warm water. This will help to release the detergent's full power and give you the best chance of removing the cologne.

Finally, dry your clothes outside in the sun. The combination of heat and sunlight will react with the cologne's chemical composition to help lock out the scent.

If the smell persists, you can try repeating the process or combining this method with another approach, such as pre-soaking your clothes in a vinegar solution or using a fabric refresher.

Air clothes outside

Airing clothes outside is an effective way to remove cologne and other unwanted scents. The process is called outgassing or off-gassing. The sun's rays and heat will drive out toxic substances, like fragrance and VOCs, from fabrics.

If you have a clothesline, that’s perfect. If not, use clothespins to hang them over a fence, lawn chairs, or a porch railing. Leave the clothes outside for as long as possible—at least 12 to 48 hours. To avoid sun bleaching, turn garments inside out.

If the weather does not permit outdoor airing, you can hang them in a well-ventilated indoor space, such as a laundry room or basement with open windows, or even in your garage. While you won't get the benefit of the sun, this is still better than nothing.

The time required for the clothes to air out will depend on how saturated they are with cologne. It may take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks to completely remove the scent.

If you are unable to air your clothes outside, another option is to hang them in a warm, sunlit room with lots of leafy green plants. Plants can also help absorb odours.

It is important to note that sunlight can cause dyes to fade, so if you are concerned about colour preservation, it is best to hang dark-coloured garments in the shade.

Use Castile soap and wash by hand

To get cologne out of your clothes, you should start by making sure that the garment is dry. This is because the molecules in any moisture could disrupt the reaction that will take place when the Castile soap is applied.

Castile soap, which usually has a vegetable or fruit base (e.g. coconut, olive oil or hemp oil), is an eco-friendly and versatile detergent. It can be used for cleaning wounds, washing out scents, and even doing your laundry.

To use Castile soap to remove cologne from your clothes, follow these steps:

• Add 4-5 drops of Castile soap to a bucket of water. You will want to dilute the soap, so add a few drops to the bucket and distribute them throughout to avoid any spots of high concentration.
• Wash your clothes by hand with warm water. Let the clothes soak in the bucket for about an hour, then swish them around and wash again.
• After washing, leave the garment outside to dry in the sun. The combination of heat and sunlight will help to further activate the Castile soap's effect. Leave the clothes outside for at least 24 hours to ensure complete dryness.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove cologne from your clothes using Castile soap and warm water.

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