Remove Stubborn Perfume Scents From Your Comforter

Getting rid of perfume smells from comforters can be tricky, but there are several effective methods to try. Firstly, it is important to understand the cause of the odour, which could be anything from sweat to mildew or detergent residue. Natural remedies such as baking soda, vinegar, sunlight, and lemon juice can effectively remove odours without harsh chemicals. For example, you can fill a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar and water and lightly mist it over the comforter, allowing it to air dry. Alternatively, you can soak the comforter in warm water and baking soda before washing it. If you're short on time, a quick fix is to use rubbing alcohol or vodka on the affected areas and let it evaporate. To prevent perfume smells in the future, apply perfume directly to your skin instead of spraying it on your comforter.

Soak in baking soda and water

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odour absorber and neutraliser. It can be used to effectively remove perfume smells from comforters without the use of harsh chemicals.

To start, you'll need to mix baking soda with water. The general rule is to add about half a cup of baking soda per gallon of water. However, if you're using a washing machine, simply add one cup of baking soda to the water in the machine. Ensure that the water is warm, as this will help to better dissolve the baking soda.

Once you've mixed the solution, fully submerge the comforter and let it soak. For best results, leave it to soak overnight or for a few days if the smell is particularly strong. If you don't have time for a long soak, you can repeat the airing, soaking, washing, and drying cycle several times.

After soaking, wash the comforter as usual, following the care label guidelines. If you're washing the comforter in a machine, add at least a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle and stop the cycle. Leave the comforter to soak for an hour before completing the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help cut through any remaining perfume residue in the fibres. Finally, add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is rinsed from your comforter.

If you're handwashing the comforter, create a solution of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the comforter, focusing on areas where perfume is likely to accumulate, such as the neck, cuffs, or chest. The vinegar treatment will break down the perfume oils and prepare the fabric to release the trapped scent during the wash.

Mist with vinegar and water

To get perfume smell out of a comforter, misting with vinegar and water is an effective method. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer with antibacterial properties, and it can help neutralize odors.

To create a vinegar and water solution, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. For example, mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of water. Ensure the vinegar you use is white vinegar. Mist the solution lightly and evenly over the comforter, and then allow it to air dry.

For more intense perfume smells, you can soak the comforter in a vinegar and water solution before washing it. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water, and soak the affected area for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, proceed to wash the comforter as usual. To enhance the odor-neutralizing effect, add half a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle.

While vinegar and water are generally safe for most fabrics, it is always good to check the fabric care label and test the solution on a small area first. Additionally, avoid using this method on dry-clean-only items, as water-based methods can be too harsh for these delicate fabrics.

Air out in the sun

Sunlight is a natural deodorizer that can help eliminate strong perfume smells from your comforter. It also helps kill bacteria and allergens, giving your comforter a full refresh.

If you are able to, hang your comforter outside on a clothesline in direct sunlight for several hours. If you cannot hang your comforter outside, hang it up indoors in a warm, breezy, and sunlit room. If you have leafy green plants in the room, even better, as the plants will help absorb the odours.

The amount of time you should air out your comforter will depend on how strong the perfume smell is. It can take as little as a few hours or as long as a couple of weeks for the scent to fully dissipate. Make sure to flip the comforter halfway through to ensure even exposure to the sun.

If you are concerned about colour fading, hang your comforter in the shade. The sun can cause dyes in coloured comforters to fade.

Use lemon juice

Lemon juice is an excellent natural deodorizer and can be used to effectively remove perfume smells from comforters. The citric acid in lemon juice helps to break down and neutralize odors, including perfume smells.

To use lemon juice to remove perfume smells from your comforter, start by creating a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water. Mix the solution thoroughly in a spray bottle. It is important not to overdo the mixing as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it useless. Once your solution is mixed, spray it onto the affected areas of your comforter.

After spraying the solution, leave the comforter in direct sunlight for a few hours. The combination of lemon juice and sunlight will help to eliminate the perfume smell. For best results, ensure your comforter is left in a well-ventilated area. If possible, hang it outdoors on a clothesline or balcony, allowing fresh air to circulate through the fibers and naturally dissipate the fragrance.

Lemon juice can also be used as a natural fabric freshener. To do this, simply add a few drops of lemon juice to your laundry detergent when washing your comforter. This will not only help to remove any lingering smells but will also leave your comforter smelling fresh and clean.

It is important to note that lemon juice has the potential to wash out lighter fabrics. Therefore, it is recommended to do a spot test on a small area of the comforter before applying the lemon juice solution to the entire affected area.

Dry cleaning

If your comforter is dry clean only, there are several methods you can use to remove a perfume smell. Firstly, you could try airing it out in a warm, sunny spot for a few days. The heat from the sun will cause any remaining perfume molecules to evaporate, and the wind will blow them away. If you don't have access to an outdoor space, you can hang the comforter in a warm, breezy, and sunlit room.

Another option is to use baking soda, which is a natural odour absorber. Sprinkle it evenly across the comforter, leave it for 30 minutes, and then shake the comforter or vacuum it. Alternatively, you can put the comforter in a sealed container with an open box or bowl of baking soda for at least 72 hours.

If you're in a hurry, you could try using vodka. Simply pour some into a spray bottle and spritz it over the comforter, then let it air dry.

Finally, you can try using a commercial "scent eliminator" product, or essential oils to cover up the smell of perfume.

Frequently asked questions