Eliminate Perfume Scents From Cashmere: A Quick Guide

Cashmere is a delicate fabric that requires careful handling, and removing strong scents like perfume can be tricky. The best method to remove perfume smells from cashmere is to air the garment outside in fresh air and sunlight, which is a natural odour killer. If hanging the item outside is not possible, hang it in a warm, breezy, and sunlit room. For more stubborn smells, hand-washing the cashmere item in cold water with a wool detergent, and then soaking it in vinegar or lemon juice diluted in water can help to cut through perfume residue.

How to get perfume smell out of cashmere

Soak in vinegar and water

Soaking your cashmere item in vinegar and water is an effective way to remove unwanted perfume smells. This method is a good alternative to dry cleaning, which can strip the downy, fragile fibres that give cashmere its light, soft texture.

To start, fill a sink, basin, or tub with cool or lukewarm water. The water temperature should be no hotter than 40 degrees Celsius (around 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Then, add vinegar. It is recommended to use white vinegar, and not malt vinegar. Add up to 3/4 cup of vinegar if you are using distilled vinegar.

Next, submerge your cashmere item completely in the water. Allow it to soak for around five minutes if it is only a basic wash. If you are dealing with a tougher odour, you should soak the item for longer—up to 30 minutes.

After soaking, thoroughly rinse your cashmere item to remove any remaining soap or vinegar. Be incredibly gentle during this process, as cashmere is at its most vulnerable to permanent damage when it is fully saturated. To avoid stretching or damaging the fibres, never twist or wring the fabric. Instead, gently squeeze the fabric section by section to release as much water as possible.

Finally, lay your cashmere item flat to dry. Avoid hanging it up to dry, as this can cause the fabric to stretch. Do not dry it near any hot surfaces or windows that let in bright light, as heat and light can damage the fabric.

Air out in the sun

Airing out your cashmere in the sun is a great way to remove unwanted odours. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so. Firstly, avoid hanging your cashmere to dry, as this can cause the fabric to stretch. Instead, lay it flat on a drying rack or laundry basket, making sure to flip it over after a few hours so that both sides can dry evenly.

While sunlight can help to remove odours, direct sunlight may cause your cashmere to fade. Therefore, it is best to choose a shaded area for drying, or limit exposure to direct sunlight to 30 minutes or less. If you are unable to find a shaded area, you can also try airing your cashmere indoors by placing it on a clothes horse rack stand near an open window.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that your cashmere is completely dry before placing it in the sun. Wet cashmere should never be hung up, as this can cause stretching. Instead, gently press out any excess water by rolling the cashmere in a clean towel, or by compressing it into a ball and squeezing gently.

By following these steps, you can effectively use the power of the sun to remove perfume smells from your cashmere while also preserving the quality and colour of the fabric.

Baking soda soak

Baking soda is an effective remedy to neutralise odours. To use it as a soak, fill a sink or basin with warm water and add one cup of baking soda. Make sure the vessel is large enough to fully submerge the item of clothing. Leave the cashmere to soak overnight or for up to a few days if the smell is particularly strong.

After soaking, wash the clothing as normal, following the care label guidelines. You can also add a quarter of a 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 any remaining perfume residue in the fibres.

If you don't have time to soak and wash the cashmere, you can place the item in a sealed plastic tub or bag with a box of baking soda. Leave it for at least 72 hours to absorb the odour.

For particularly strong smells, you can also try making a paste with baking soda and a small amount of lemon juice. Apply this paste to the affected areas, leave for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

Vodka spray

To use this method, pour vodka into a spray bottle. A fine mist spray bottle is recommended for delicate fabrics like cashmere. Simply spritz the cashmere item generously with the vodka and allow it to dry. As the vodka evaporates, it will remove the perfume odour from the fabric.

This method is particularly useful for items that cannot be frequently washed or that are dry clean only, as it extends the time between washes while keeping the garment fresh and sanitised.

For added scent and cleaning power, essential oils can be added to the vodka spray. Oils such as lemon, lime, or tea tree can provide a fresh scent and additional disinfectant properties. However, it is important to use essential oils sparingly, as they are highly concentrated and can affect certain fabrics.

Using cheap, high-proof vodka is sufficient for this purpose, and there is no need to purchase a name brand or top-shelf product.

Hand wash with lavender oil

To get perfume smell out of cashmere, hand washing is recommended. Firstly, it is important to sort clothing by colour and look for stains. Then, rinse the cashmere garment in lukewarm water (about 30°C) and gently rub with a stain-removing solution, such as baby shampoo, before rinsing again. Turn the garment inside out and soak it in a sink or basin filled with lukewarm water.

To specifically target the perfume smell, you can add a few drops of lavender oil to the soak. Lavender oil is known for its pleasant scent and can help to neutralize the perfume odour. Leave the garment to soak for around 15-20 minutes, then gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing or twisting, as this can damage the fibres.

After soaking and rinsing, it is important to dry your cashmere item properly. Avoid hanging wet cashmere, as it can stretch and lose its shape. Instead, lay the garment flat on a towel and allow it to air-dry. Once dry, you can further air it out by hanging it outdoors on a mild, breezy day.

Hand washing with lavender oil is a gentle and effective way to remove unwanted perfume smells from your cashmere items while preserving their softness and longevity.

Frequently asked questions