Katrina Rosales
Getting dry perfume out of clothes can be a challenge, but there are several methods to try. The simplest option is to wash the clothing item as soon as possible after it becomes saturated with scent. Traditional laundry detergents can be effective, and adding laundry boosters like baking soda or oxygen bleach can enhance odour removal. For delicate clothing, handwashing with Castile soap and warm water is recommended. Alternatively, natural remedies such as lemon juice, essential oils, and vinegar can be used to neutralise odours. For more stubborn stains, an alcohol spray using vodka or rubbing alcohol can be effective, but this should be avoided on certain fabrics such as wool, silk, and rayon.
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What You'll Learn
Soak clothes in vinegar
Vinegar is a highly effective way to clean your clothes. It can be used to brighten clothes, remove stains, eliminate odors, and even act as a natural fabric softener.
To soak your clothes in vinegar, start by making sure that the garment is free of moisture. Next, prepare a mixture of vinegar and water. The general recommendation is to use 1-2 cups of vinegar per load, but you can start with less and increase as needed. Soak the clothes in this mixture for at least an hour. If you're soaking multiple loads, be sure not to leave the clothes in the mixture for longer than 24 hours, or they may start to smell weird.
After soaking, you can run the clothes through the wash as normal. If the smell still exists, you can replace the detergent with vinegar and add it a second time during the rinse cycle. If you don't want to soak your clothes, you can also add vinegar during the final rinse cycle by manually pausing the machine right before the cycle and pouring in a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar.
It's important to note that vinegar isn't suited to all materials, so exercise caution when using it on your clothes. Additionally, never mix vinegar with bleach or chlorine bleach products, as the combination is highly toxic.
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Use baking soda
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can be used to remove perfume smells from clothes. It is an unorthodox but effective method to add extra scent-erasing strength to your laundry.
To use baking soda to remove perfume smells from clothes, start by soaking the clothing in a sink or washing machine filled with warm water and one cup of baking soda before washing. Ensure the vessel is large enough to completely submerge the garment. Leave the clothes to soak overnight, or for a few days if the smell is particularly strong. Repeat the airing, soaking, washing, and drying cycle several times if necessary. After soaking, wash the clothing as usual, following the care label guidelines. Add at least 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle and stop the cycle. Leave the laundry to soak for an hour before completing the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help cut through any remaining perfume residue in the fibers. Finally, add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is rinsed from your clothing.
If you don't have time to wash your clothes, you can also use baking soda to absorb odors. Place the fragrant garments in a sealed container with a box or bowl full of baking soda. Leave the clothes enclosed for at least 72 hours, or until the odors have been absorbed. This method is especially useful for dry-clean-only garments, as normal water-based methods can be too harsh and leave them saturated with moisture.
For a stronger odor-removing solution, create a baking soda and vinegar paste and apply it to the affected areas of the garment. You can also try soaking the clothing in a mixture of vinegar and water, then washing it with added baking soda. This classic method helps neutralize odors.
To remove perfume smells from delicate fabrics such as silk or lace, hand wash or use a gentle cycle in the washing machine to avoid damaging the fabric fibers. For synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon, which can trap odors more easily, a stronger detergent or baking soda and vinegar solution may be necessary. Dark-colored fabrics may require extra care, as baking soda can leave a white residue or discoloration. In these cases, it may be best to try hanging the clothes outside to air out.
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Try an alcohol spray
If you're looking to remove dry perfume stains from your clothes, an alcohol spray could be a great option. Alcohol acts as a solvent, breaking down the components that cause the lingering perfume smell. This method is particularly effective for localised treatment on a specific piece of fabric.
Here's a step-by-step guide to creating and using an alcohol spray:
Step 1: Prepare the Alcohol Spray
Mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol or vodka with water in a spray bottle. You can also use plain grain alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, but exercise caution as certain fabrics like wool, silk, acetate, rayon, and acrylic may be damaged by harsh alcohol.
Step 2: Apply the Spray
Lightly spray the alcohol solution onto the areas of the garment where the perfume is most concentrated. Ensure you spray both sides of the fabric.
Step 3: Allow it to Dry
Let the garment air dry completely. This step is crucial, as it gives the alcohol time to neutralise the perfume odour.
Step 4: Optional Rinse (for stubborn stains)
If your clothes still have faint traces of perfume, consider rinsing them with a vinegar solution. Vinegar is a powerful deodoriser that can help break down any remaining perfume molecules.
Step 5: Wash and Dry as Usual
After the alcohol spray treatment, you can proceed to wash and dry your clothes as you normally would.
Remember to always test the alcohol spray on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it doesn't cause any discolouration or damage. Additionally, when using vodka, opt for an inexpensive, high-proof variety, as this will be more effective in neutralising odours.
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Wash with lemon juice
Lemon juice can be an effective way to remove dry perfume from clothes. However, it is important to note that this method is only recommended for dark or old clothes, as lemon juice can wash out lighter fabrics.
To start, create a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water. This mild acid will help to break up the scent molecules. If you are treating a small area, you can apply the solution directly to the fabric using a spray bottle. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the areas and hang the garment to dry. Check the smell, and if the perfume scent is gone, rinse out the lemon juice. If the garment still smells like perfume, apply more lemon juice and repeat the process.
Alternatively, you can soak the garment in water mixed with lemon juice before putting it in the wash. Make sure to follow the care label guidelines when washing the clothing, either in a machine or by hand. If handwashing, pour a few drops of Castile soap onto the smelly area and rinse with warm water. You can also gently scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush.
After washing, dry the clothes on a clothesline or drying rack in the fresh air and sunlight. Sunlight will help to remove any remaining odors. However, bright sunlight can cause dyes to fade, so hang dark-colored clothes in the shade. If you must use a clothes dryer, use a low-temperature setting like the permanent press option. High temperatures can cause remaining odor molecules to adhere more deeply to the fabric.
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Air clothes outside
Airing out your clothes is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to remove perfume smells from your clothes. The natural airflow will help disperse any lingering fragrance molecules.
If you are hanging your clothes outside, hang them in a shaded area. Direct sunlight can cause dyes to fade, so it is best to hang dark-coloured clothes in the shade. If you are hanging your clothes inside, ensure it is in a well-ventilated area with open windows. You can also use a fan to improve the ventilation. Place the garments on hangers so that air can circulate around all sides of the fabric.
If you are airing out your clothes inside, you can also add a bowl of baking soda or activated charcoal to help the odours absorb away from your clothes faster.
While the sun and wind may completely remove much of the scent, they will at least dilute it before you move on to the next step. If hanging your clothes outside or in a well-ventilated indoor space does not work, you can try hanging the clothes in an enclosed cardboard box or wardrobe. Place a crumpled-up newspaper or a box full of baking soda at the bottom of the box or wardrobe. Leave your clothes enclosed for at least 72 hours, or longer if possible.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods to get dry perfume out of clothes. Here are some options:
- Soak the clothing in vinegar and water, then wash it.
- Spray vodka or rubbing alcohol on the spot.
- Wash the clothes with laundry detergent and baking soda or oxygen bleach.
- Soak the clothes in lemon juice and water, then rinse.
- Wash the clothes with a laundry detergent and a laundry booster like Borax or baking soda.
Vinegar is a great natural cleaner and deodorizer. To use vinegar to remove perfume from your clothes, make a solution of vinegar and water and soak your clothes in it before washing them. You can also spray the solution on affected areas and then rinse or wash.
Alcohol is a natural neutralizer for heavy perfume scents. Mix equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle and spray it on the affected areas. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Lemon juice is a natural way to eliminate odors from perfumes. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and apply it to the areas of the clothing that have absorbed the perfume. Wait for 15-30 minutes, then rinse the fabric or wash it normally.
The best method will depend on the fabric and the intensity of the perfume. For delicate fabrics, handwashing with Castile soap is recommended. For intense perfume smells, a combination of vinegar, lemon, alcohol, and baking soda may be required.
