Eliminating Lingering Cologne Scents: Tips And Tricks

Whether it's from an overzealous spritz or a spill, cologne smells can be overwhelming and persistent. Luckily, there are several ways to get rid of them. For fabrics, a mixture of baking soda and water can be applied and left to sit before being washed off. Alternatively, the fabric can be soaked in a mixture of vinegar and water before being washed as usual. For hard surfaces, a simple wipe down with a damp cloth or a mixture of water and detergent should do the trick. To get rid of cologne smells on the skin, one can use rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or even tomato paste!

Airing out clothes

Airing out your clothes is one of the simplest and most effective ways to get rid of cologne or perfume smells. If you can, hang your clothes outside on a washing line or over a banister or hanger. Ideally, you want to hang them in a breezy spot with plenty of direct sunlight. If you don't have access to an outdoor space, you can still hang your clothes up inside. Just make sure to do so in a warm, well-ventilated room with lots of leafy green plants, which can help absorb the odours.

The length of time you'll need to air out your clothes depends on how strong the cologne smell is. It could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks. If you're short on time, you can speed up the process by applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the affected areas and letting it evaporate.

Once the smell has dissipated, you'll want to wash your clothes as normal, following the care label guidelines. If the cologne smell is particularly strong, you may want to soak your clothes before washing. Fill a sink or washing machine with warm water and add a cup of baking soda. Leave your clothes to soak overnight or for a few days, and then wash them as usual.

After washing, dry your clothes on a clothesline or drying rack outside, as sunlight will help to remove any lingering odours. If you need to use a tumble dryer, make sure to use a low-temperature setting, as high temperatures can cause odour molecules to adhere more deeply to the fabric.

Baking soda and water mixture

A paste made from baking soda and warm water can be used to get rid of cologne smells. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Create a paste by mixing equal parts of baking soda and warm water. The paste should be thick enough to stick to your skin without dripping.
• Apply the paste to the affected areas of your skin. Make sure to cover all areas that have been in contact with the cologne.
• Let the paste sit on your skin for several minutes. During this time, the alkaline substance will react with the acidic compounds in the cologne, neutralizing the odour.
• Rinse the paste off your skin with warm water. You may need to rinse several times to ensure that all the paste is removed.
• If necessary, repeat the process until the cologne smell is completely gone.

This method is effective because baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is alkaline, and when it comes into contact with acidic odours, it reacts to neutralize them. This chemical reaction changes the pH, helping to eliminate the smell.

Vinegar and water mixture

Vinegar is a great natural deodorizer and can be used to get rid of cologne smells. To use this method, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Vinegar and Water Mixture

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. White vinegar is best for this purpose.

Step 2: Apply the Mixture to the Affected Area

Lightly mist the air and wipe down surfaces with the vinegar and water solution. You can also place jars of vinegar around the room; the vinegar will absorb the cologne smell, although the room might temporarily smell of vinegar instead.

Step 3: Allow the Area to Air Out

Open windows and use fans to ventilate the room and allow fresh air to circulate.

Step 4: Repeat as Needed

You may need to repeat the above steps several times to completely eliminate the cologne smell.

Lemon juice and water solution

Lemon juice has natural deodorizing properties that can neutralize strong scents like cologne. To make a lemon juice and water solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Solution

Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. For example, if you have 100ml of lemon juice, add 100ml of water. Make sure to mix the solution thoroughly, but do not overdo it as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it useless.

Step 2: Apply the Solution to the Affected Area

Spray the solution onto the garment where the cologne scent is concentrated. You can also spray the entire piece of clothing if you want to give it a fresh lemon scent.

Step 3: Scrub the Fabric

Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the areas where you applied the solution. This ensures that the solution penetrates the fabric's core and effectively removes the cologne scent. This step also helps distribute the lemon scent evenly throughout the garment.

Step 4: Air Dry Outside

Hang the garment outside to dry. This step is crucial, especially for dark and old clothes, as lemon juice can wash out lighter fabrics. The sun and fresh air will help eliminate any remaining cologne scent and absorb the lemon scent into the fabric.

Additional Tips:

• Always test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to check for any adverse reactions, as lemon juice may not be suitable for all fabrics.
• For a quick fix, rub a fresh lemon slice directly onto the affected area of the garment.
• Lemon juice can also be used as a natural fabric freshener by adding a few drops to your laundry detergent.

Alcohol or vodka spray

To use this method, simply spray or spritz vodka (or rubbing alcohol) directly onto the area with the strong cologne or perfume odour. You can also use alcohol wipes to wipe down the area. This potent, odourless alcohol will neutralize the smell.

For example, if you have spilt cologne on your skin, you can spray or wipe the area with alcohol to neutralize the smell. Similarly, if cologne or perfume has been sprayed or spilled on a surface, you can use alcohol to wipe down the area and neutralize the odour.

It is important to note that while alcohol is effective at removing cologne or perfume smells, it may not be suitable for all surfaces or fabrics. Always test a small area first and allow it to dry completely before proceeding. Additionally, keep in mind that alcohol is flammable, so use caution and avoid open flames or other ignition sources when using it.

In addition to using alcohol or vodka spray, there are other methods you can use to get rid of cologne or perfume smells. These include:

• Ventilating the area by opening windows and using fans to circulate fresh air.
• Using natural deodorizers like vinegar, baking soda, or activated charcoal to absorb and neutralize odours.
• Washing fabrics and linens that have been exposed to cologne or perfume with a good detergent.
• Deep cleaning carpets and rugs with baking soda or a carpet cleaning service.

Frequently asked questions