Lance Carson
Getting rid of persistent perfume scents in clothes can be a challenge, especially if the fragrance has been embedded in the fabric for a long time. The good news is that there are several effective methods to remove unwanted odours from your garments, ranging from natural remedies to commercial products. The key to success is often a combination of airing out, pre-soaking, and washing with scent-busting additives. Sunlight and fresh air are simple yet powerful tools for neutralising smells, and various household items like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and even vodka can help eliminate stubborn perfume residues. With patience and the right approach, you can effectively remove strong perfume scents from your clothes and restore them to a fresh, neutral state.
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What You'll Learn
Airing out clothes
Airing out your clothes is one of the simplest and most effective ways to remove unwanted perfume scents. As soon as you notice a strong fragrance, hang the garment outside or in a well-ventilated area. If possible, choose a spot with direct sunlight, as the UV rays can help break down scent molecules.
The time needed to air out clothes depends on how saturated they are with scent. It may take a few hours or a couple of weeks to completely remove the odour. If you cannot hang the item outside, hang it in a breezy, warm, sunlit room. You can use a fan to create a breeze and place the item near open windows.
If you are short on time, you can also spritz your clothes with a mixture of water and essential oils or use a fabric refresher spray to provide a temporary solution. However, these methods may require multiple applications for strong or persistent perfume odours.
For dry-clean-only items, airing them out is a good first step before moving on to other scent-removal methods. The sun and wind may completely remove much of the scent or, at the very least, dilute it.
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Using vinegar
Vinegar is an effective remedy to neutralize perfume odours in clothes. According to Harvard's School of Public Health, the chemical composition of vinegar makes it a fantastic everyday cleaner. It is also a great green option.
Firstly, ensure that the garment is free of moisture, such as sweat. If the clothing is damp, the molecules of moisture could disrupt the reaction that will take place when vinegar is applied.
Next, fill a basin with enough water to cover the clothes and pour in a cup of white vinegar. Then, immerse the clothes for about half an hour to an hour. This method will get rid of the residue chemicals from the perfume, making it easier to remove them when doing the laundry.
Alternatively, you can add vinegar to your wash cycle. Load your garment into the washing machine and add 240ml of vinegar instead of soap. You can wash the whole load with vinegar. After adding vinegar, simply wash normally.
If you want to add a pleasant scent, you can use essential oils along with vinegar. Combine a cup of white vinegar with a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle. Spray this on the areas with the perfume scents and leave for 20 minutes. Then, simply rinse or wash.
You can also try a long-haul soak with vinegar and baking soda. Turn your clothes inside out and then soak them in vinegar and baking soda. Sun-dry the clothes after washing.
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Baking soda
Firstly, you can use baking soda as a pre-treatment before washing your clothes. Create a solution by dissolving one cup of baking soda in water and soak your clothes in it for several hours or overnight. You can also make a baking soda paste and apply it to the affected areas before washing.
If you don't have time for a long soak, you can place the fragrant garments in a sealed container or plastic bag with an open box or bowl full of baking soda. Leave the clothes in the container for a few days, and the baking soda will absorb the odors.
When you are ready to wash the clothes, add half a cup of baking soda to your regular detergent during the wash cycle. You can also add a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help cut through any remaining perfume residue.
For dry-clean-only clothes, hang them in an enclosed cardboard box or wardrobe with a box of baking soda at the bottom. Leave the clothes enclosed for at least 72 hours to allow the baking soda to attract and neutralize the scents.
By using baking soda in these various methods, you can effectively remove persistent perfume scents from your clothes and leave them smelling fresh and neutral again.
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Lemon juice
If you are cleaning light-coloured clothing, you can also try scrubbing the area with diluted lemon juice using a soft-bristled brush. After applying the lemon juice solution, hang the garment to dry. Check the smell. If the scent is gone, rinse out the lemon juice. If the garment still smells of perfume, apply more lemon juice.
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Vodka
To use vodka to remove perfume odours from clothes, first, pour the vodka into a spray bottle. It should be about two-thirds full. Then, fill the rest of the bottle with water. Spray the mixture liberally over any smelly spots on the fabric. Allow the vodka to sit on the garment for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it with cool water. Vodka may effectively kill bacteria and remove the perfume smell.
Alternatively, you can spray undiluted vodka directly onto the affected area and let it dry. Then, launder the clothes as normal.
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Frequently asked questions
Airing out your clothes is the easiest method for removing excessive perfume odours. Hang your clothing outside for several hours or overnight. If the smell persists, you can try soaking your clothing in a mixture of warm water and baking soda before washing them.
Vinegar is a natural deodoriser and can be used to neutralise perfume smells. Fill a basin with enough water to cover your clothes and add a cup of white vinegar. Soak your clothes for 30 minutes to an hour, then wash them as usual.
Airing out your clothes is a good first step for dry-clean-only garments. Hang your clothes outside so that the wind and sunlight can remove the scent. If the smell persists, you can try using a fabric refresher spray, which traps odour molecules.
Yes, there are several other methods you can try. You can use lemon juice, vodka or rubbing alcohol, or a laundry booster like baking soda or oxygen bleach.
