Removing Stubborn Cologne Scents: A Step-By-Step Guide

Whether it's a case of an overzealous salesperson at the perfume counter or a heavy hand with your signature scent, there are times when you need to get rid of a strong cologne smell. While it may be tempting to reach for soap and water, this is often not enough to dissolve fragrances. Luckily, there are several inexpensive and natural methods to remove cologne odours from both your skin and clothes.

How to Get Cologne Smell Off

Use baking soda and water paste

To get cologne smell off using baking soda and water paste, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Baking Soda and Water Paste

In a small bowl, mix about 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a few drops of water. Stir the mixture until you achieve a smooth, spreadable paste. The amount of paste you make will depend on the size of the fabric you are treating and the extent of the cologne smell.

Step 2: Apply the Paste to the Fabric

Using a spoon or your fingers, apply the paste to the areas of the fabric with the strongest scent. If the entire garment is affected by the cologne smell, you can apply the paste more liberally. Ensure that you cover all areas where the scent is noticeable.

Step 3: Let the Paste Sit

Allow the paste to sit on the fabric for approximately 5 minutes. During this time, the baking soda will work to absorb and neutralise the cologne odour. If the fabric is heavily saturated with cologne, you may need to let the paste sit for a longer period.

Step 4: Remove the Paste

After the paste has had sufficient time to work, use a stiff brush to remove it from the fabric. Brush away the paste, ensuring that you get into the fibres of the fabric to remove any residual baking soda.

Step 5: Repeat if Necessary

If the cologne smell is still noticeable, you may need to repeat the process. Reapply the paste to the affected areas, allowing it to sit for a longer period this time (up to 10 minutes). Follow this by brushing away the paste and checking the fabric for any remaining scent.

Additional Tips:

• For a more intensive treatment, place the garment in a plastic bag and pour in half a cup of baking soda. Shake the bag thoroughly and let it sit for 10 minutes before removing the garment and shaking off any excess baking soda.
• To remove cologne smells from delicate fabrics, create a solution of 3-5 drops of Castile soap and warm water. Apply this solution to the smelly area and rinse with warm water.
• To remove cologne smells from your skin, create a baking soda and water paste as described above and apply it to the affected areas. Allow the paste to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
• To neutralise cologne smells from your surroundings, place a bowl of dry coffee grounds or a bowl of baking soda near the source of the scent. These substances will help absorb and neutralise the odour.

Neutralise with alcohol or hand sanitiser

If you've overdone it with the cologne, you can use alcohol or hand sanitiser to neutralise the smell.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a natural neutraliser for heavy cologne scents. To use it, simply dampen a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol or vodka. Squeeze out any excess moisture and swipe the perfumed skin with the damp cotton ball. If the smell doesn't go away, apply more alcohol to the ball and swipe again. Let the skin dry.

Hand Sanitiser

Hand sanitiser can also be used to dissolve fragrances and leave your skin smelling fresh. As with the alcohol method, dampen a cotton ball with hand sanitiser and squeeze out any excess moisture. Swipe the perfumed skin with the damp cotton ball and repeat if necessary.

Other Methods

If the odour persists, you can also try mixing a small amount of water and baking soda to form a thick paste. Smooth this paste over your skin and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Wash your skin with water and a mild soap, then pat it dry with a clean washcloth or towel.

Wash with unscented detergent and vinegar

To get cologne out of your clothes, start by checking that the garment is dry. This is important because the presence of moisture can disrupt the reaction that will take place when vinegar is applied.

Next, add your garment to the washing machine. Instead of adding laundry detergent, pour in about 240ml of vinegar. You can wash a full load of laundry with vinegar, so there is no need to keep the piece of clothing separate from the rest of the load.

After adding the vinegar, set the wash cycle as if it were detergent in the machine. The vinegar will act as a cleaning agent, and dryer sheets can be used during the drying cycle to add a desired scent.

Once the cycle is over, put the clothes in the dryer with scented or unscented dryer sheets. Make sure to run the cycle until the clothes are completely dry. If the garments are left damp and crumpled in the dryer, more musty smells can develop.

If the cologne smell persists, repeat the airing, soaking, washing, and drying cycle. After soaking, wash the clothing as usual, following the care label guidelines, either in a washing machine or by hand with unscented laundry detergent. Add at least 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle and stop the cycle. Let the laundry soak for an hour before completing the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help cut through any remaining cologne residue in the fibres.

Finally, add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is rinsed from your clothing.

Air out clothes in the sun

Airing out your clothes in the sun is an effective way to remove cologne or perfume smells. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, find a breezy spot outside that receives direct sunlight. If you do not have access to an outdoor area, you can hang the clothes in a warm and sunlit room. If possible, choose a room with leafy green plants as they can help absorb the odours.

Next, prepare a hanger or clothing line and hang the clothes. Ensure that both sides of the garment are exposed to the sun. Leave the clothes outside for at least 12 hours or more. The time required for the odour to dissipate will depend on how strong the cologne smell is. It could take a few hours to a couple of weeks for the smell to disappear completely.

If the cologne smell is still lingering after the first airing out, repeat the process. You can also try combining this method with other natural deodorizers like baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice to enhance the removal of the cologne smell.

Additionally, when drying clothes, ensure they are fully dry before storing them. Dampness can exacerbate odours and cause them to linger.

Use lemon juice to pre-treat fabrics

Lemon juice is a great natural remedy to get rid of cologne smells from fabrics. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which helps to break down and neutralise odours, including strong cologne smells.

To use lemon juice to pre-treat fabrics, follow these steps:

Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. The solution should be one part lemon juice to one part water. Mix the solution thoroughly but do not overdo it, as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it useless.

Spray the solution liberally onto the fabric, focusing on areas prone to absorbing smells, such as the armpits, neck, and cuffs. Ensure the fabric is completely dry before applying the solution.

Let the garment sit for around 30-40 minutes. The lemon juice solution will need time to work its magic and neutralise the cologne smell.

After waiting, proceed to wash the garment as normal with detergent in the washing machine. For an extra boost of freshness, add a cup of baking soda to the washer along with the detergent.

Lemon juice is an excellent natural remedy to get rid of cologne smells from fabrics. However, it is important to note that lemon juice may cause discolouration on lighter fabrics, so it is recommended to use this method primarily for darker or older clothing.

Frequently asked questions