Katrina Rosales
Whether it's from a guest who overdid it with the perfume or an accidental spritz from your own bottle, strong perfume smells can be challenging to eliminate. Perfumes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate into the air and settle on various surfaces, including furniture and flooring. To get rid of the scent, it's essential to identify the source of the odour and employ specific methods to neutralise it. While it may take some trial and error, you can effectively remove the smell and create a pleasant and odour-free environment.
How to get rid of a strong perfume smell
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| From skin | Use rubbing alcohol or vodka on a cotton pad, coffee grounds, lemon juice, or baking soda paste |
| From clothes | Soak in water and baking soda, wash with unscented detergent and vinegar, repeat washing and drying cycle |
| From rooms | Ventilation, odour absorbers (e.g. baking soda, coffee grounds), deep cleaning, air purifier, steam cleaner, natural air freshener |
| From carpets and upholstery | Cover with baking soda, vacuum, use a steam cleaner, air purifier, or natural air freshener |
| From washable fabrics | Wash with a natural laundry solution, lemon juice and water, or vinegar |
| From non-washable fabrics | Use a fabric refresher like Febreze, or an essential oil |
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Ventilate the room
Ventilating a room is a great way to get rid of a strong perfume smell. Start by opening all the windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate freely and carry the scent out of the room. Cross-ventilation is key to effectively removing strong smells. If you want to speed up the process, set up fans to blow the air outwards.
To further improve the airflow, you can also place bowls of natural deodorizers, such as baking soda, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds, around the room. These substances will help absorb any remaining odours as the air circulates. Additionally, consider investing in a high-quality air purifier to eliminate odour particles from the air.
If the smell is coming from fabrics and carpets, you can lightly mist them with a solution of water and essential oils, such as lavender or eucalyptus, and allow them to air-dry. For more stubborn smells, add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing linens to break down odour-causing bacteria.
Another way to improve ventilation and reduce strong smells is to use humidifiers and essential oil diffusers. These devices spread moisture and calming scents around the room, improving air quality and creating a more peaceful atmosphere.
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Wash fabrics
If your clothes smell strongly of perfume, you can try the following methods to get rid of the scent:
Firstly, it is important to wash the fabrics shortly after they become scented. Leaving strongly perfumed clothes unwashed for long periods can cause the odour molecules to adhere more deeply to the fabric. To prevent this, hang the clothes outside in the fresh air. If you cannot hang the item outside, hang it up in a breezy, warm, and sunlit room. If there are plants in the room, even better, as plants can help absorb odours.
Once you are ready to wash the fabrics, you can try the following methods to neutralise the scent:
- Soak the clothing in a sink or washing machine filled with warm water and one cup of baking soda before washing. Ensure the clothing is fully submerged in the baking soda water.
- Add a cup of vinegar to your wash cycle to eliminate odours. Use the vinegar in place of your laundry detergent to absorb unpleasant odours.
- Use a laundry booster to wash your clothes. Laundry booster is a washing additive that helps remove bacteria and smells from clothing. You can use store-bought brands or organic homemade soaps, such as Borax or baking soda.
- Try a scented laundry detergent to mask the smell. Check the garment tag of your individual items to determine the best water temperature and amount of detergent.
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Use vinegar
Vinegar is a powerful natural deodorizer and odor neutralizer. It can be used in various ways to get rid of strong perfume smells from clothes, fabrics, carpets, rugs, upholstery, hard surfaces, and the air.
To eliminate perfume odors from clothes, soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water. You can either soak the clothes in a sink or washing machine filled with warm water and vinegar, or use a washing machine to soak and wash them. If using a washing machine, fill the machine with warm water and add about a cup of vinegar. Let the clothes soak for a few hours or overnight, then complete the rinse cycle. You can also add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is washed off. Alternatively, you can manually agitate the clothes in the vinegar-water mixture every day for three days, then wash the clothes on hot with no soap, and repeat the vinegar soak for a couple more days before washing again with unscented laundry soap.
To remove embedded odors from curtains, wash them in a mixture of water and a small amount of vinegar. You can also use a vinegar and water solution to wipe down surfaces and neutralize strong perfume smells in a room. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spritz the affected area, and let it dry naturally. The vinegar smell will dissipate, taking the perfume scent with it. You can also use this mixture to mist the air lightly.
For upholstered furniture, you can sprinkle baking soda, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum thoroughly. After vacuuming, you can wipe down the furniture with a vinegar and water solution.
To get rid of perfume smells from carpets, rugs, and upholstery, steam cleaning is highly effective. However, if you don't have access to a steam cleaner, you can use a vinegar and water solution to blot the area, then sprinkle with baking soda. Let the mixture sit for a few hours before vacuuming.
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Sprinkle baking soda
If you're looking to get rid of a strong perfume smell, baking soda is a great option. It's a natural deodorizer that can effectively absorb and neutralize odors. Here's how you can use it to get rid of that stubborn perfume scent:
For Clothing:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly onto the affected areas of the fabric. Make sure to cover all the areas that have been soaked with perfume.
- Leave the baking soda on the garment for a couple of hours or even overnight. This will give it enough time to absorb the odor effectively.
- Finally, shake or brush off the baking soda powder. You can then choose to wash the clothing as usual or simply enjoy the fresh-smelling garment!
- Alternatively, you can place your clothing in a plastic bag or container. Add half a cup of baking soda, shake the bag thoroughly, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the garment, shake off the excess baking soda, and you're done!
- For a more comprehensive approach, create a pre-soak solution by mixing warm water with baking soda. Submerge your clothes in this solution overnight. The next day, wash them with unscented laundry detergent.
- You can also add baking soda to your regular wash cycle. Simply put half a cup of baking soda or a scoop of oxygen bleach into your washing machine along with your regular detergent. This will boost the deodorizing power of your laundry routine.
For Rooms:
- Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum thoroughly.
- To neutralize odors in the air, place bowls of baking soda around the room. The baking soda will absorb the perfume molecules over time.
- For a more targeted approach, identify the source of the odor. If it's a hidden spill or an item that needs deep cleaning, address that specifically.
So, whether it's for your clothes or your living space, baking soda is a versatile and effective solution to get rid of strong perfume smells.
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Steam cleaning
To start the steam cleaning process, you will need to prepare the space. If there are any items in the room that can be removed, such as rugs, curtains, or linens, take them out. This will allow for better access to all areas and ensure a more thorough cleaning. If there are any fabrics that cannot be removed, such as upholstery or carpets, cover them with a generous layer of baking soda. Let the baking soda sit for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb the odour, and then vacuum the area well before proceeding with steam cleaning.
Once the room is prepared, you can begin steam cleaning. If you don't own a steam cleaner, you can rent one or hire a professional cleaning service. As you work, focus on areas where perfume tends to settle, such as sofas, armchairs, and beds. These spots often harbour dust and dirt, which can retain scents. Steam clean these areas thoroughly, ensuring that the hot steam penetrates deep into the fibres to break down and remove the trapped perfume molecules.
After completing the steam cleaning process, it is essential to air out the space. Open windows and doors to allow for cross-ventilation and help fabrics dry quickly. This step will also prevent musty smells from developing after the steam cleaning.
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Frequently asked questions
Ventilate the room by opening windows and doors. You can also try placing a bowl of white vinegar in the room, as vinegar absorbs and neutralises odours.
Wash fabrics such as curtains, linens and carpets if possible. If washing is not an option, sprinkle baking soda on the fabric and let it sit for several hours before vacuuming it up. The baking soda will absorb the perfume smell.
Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and lightly mist the furniture. Vinegar neutralises odours and evaporates quickly.
Ask guests politely not to use strong scents or scented candles. You can also request that guests do not use sprays on themselves or on beds.
