Anisha Riggs
Getting rid of a strong perfume smell from clothes can be challenging, especially if the scent has sunk into the fabric. The good news is that there are several methods to eliminate or reduce the smell, and many of these methods use products that are readily available in your home. Some of the most common approaches include using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, vodka or alcohol, and even coffee grounds to neutralize or absorb the odour. Soaking the garment in a solution of one or more of these ingredients and then washing it as usual can be effective. Additionally, using unscented laundry detergents, fabric odour eliminators, and stain removers can also help remove perfume scents from clothing.
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What You'll Learn
Soak in baking soda and water
Soaking clothes in a solution of baking soda and water is an effective way to remove strong perfume smells. Baking soda is alkaline, which makes it effective at killing acidic odors, and it can absorb oils and grease, thereby removing their odors.
To soak your clothes in a baking soda and water solution, start by filling a sink or bucket with water. Then, add half a cup to a full cup of baking soda and stir the mixture until the baking soda is fully dissolved. Next, place the clothes in the solution and ensure they are fully submerged. Allow the clothes to soak for several hours or overnight, stirring the mixture periodically. Finally, wash the clothes as usual, following the care label guidelines. You can add a quarter of a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle to help cut through any remaining perfume residue.
If you don't have a large enough container to submerge your clothes, you can place them in a sealed plastic tub or heavy-duty plastic bag with a box or bowl of baking soda. Leave the clothes sealed for a few days before washing them as usual.
Baking soda can also be used to eliminate odors from carpets, rugs, and mattresses. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the surface and let it sit for up to an hour before vacuuming it up.
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Use unscented laundry detergent
If your clothes smell strongly of perfume, it is likely due to the preservatives and other additives such as alcohol and petroleum chemicals present in the perfume. To get rid of the smell, you can try using unscented laundry detergent. Here are some tips on how to use it effectively:
Firstly, it is recommended to pre-soak your clothes in warm water and baking soda overnight before washing them with unscented laundry detergent. This process will help to break down any stubborn odours. Make sure the container you use is large enough to completely submerge the garment. After soaking, wash the clothing as per the care label guidelines, either in a washing machine or by hand.
Additionally, you can add distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Pause the cycle for about an hour to let the clothes soak in the vinegar, which will help to cut through any remaining perfume residue. Finally, complete the rinse cycle and consider adding an extra rinse to ensure all the detergent is removed from your clothing.
If you are dealing with dry-clean-only clothing, it is best to seek professional cleaning services. They will have the appropriate techniques and products to remove the perfume smell without damaging your garments.
While unscented laundry detergent is effective, you can also try other methods such as using natural deodorizers like vinegar or essential oils, or commercial "scent eliminators".
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Try a vodka or alcohol spray
Vodka or alcohol spray is an effective way to remove strong perfume smells from clothes. Vodka is a perfect odour remover as it is odourless and colourless and has a sanitizing effect. It is a natural neutralizer for heavy perfume scents.
To use this method, pour some cheap vodka or plain grain alcohol into a spray bottle and spritz it onto the clothing. You can also add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol to denature the vodka. Make sure the vodka doesn't have any added flavouring. Spray the fabric well on both sides and allow it to air dry completely. As the vodka evaporates, it will remove the odours from the fabric.
Vodka spray is a simple and surprising way to remove unwanted odours from clothes. It is a secret ingredient that works better than dry cleaning solvents for removing odours, especially those from organic compounds. This method is also useful for removing musty smells from vintage garments.
It is important to note that alcohol can damage certain fabrics like wool, silk, acetate, rayon, and acrylic. Always test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first before treating the entire garment.
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Wash with white vinegar
Washing your clothes with white vinegar is an effective way to remove strong perfume smells. White vinegar is nature's most effective combatant of bacteria growth and helps to nix residue and buildup from perfumes, lotions, sweat, and fabric softeners.
To wash with white vinegar, add a quarter to half a cup of vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine. If you don't have a fabric softener dispenser, pour the vinegar in during the final rinse cycle. You can also manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add the vinegar to the load. If you don't have a washing machine, you can soak your clothes in a mixture of a quarter cup of vinegar and three-quarters of a cup of cold water overnight.
You can also add a cup of vinegar to an empty washing machine and run it once a month to remove soapy residue from your washing machine tub.
It's important to note that washing your clothes with vinegar shouldn't be done for every load, as it can take a toll on delicate fabrics over time. Always do a spot test in an inconspicuous place first to ensure the vinegar doesn't cause any discolouring.
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Air clothes outside
Airing out your clothes is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to remove a strong perfume smell. As soon as you notice the scent, hang the garment outside or in a well-ventilated area. If possible, opt for a spot with direct sunlight, as the UV rays can help break down some of the scent molecules.
If hanging the clothes outside is not an option, hang them in a breezy, warm, and sunlit room. If there are plants in the room, even better—plants help absorb odours, acting as natural air purifiers. You can also use a fan to circulate air around the garments and boost the effectiveness of this method.
The time required for airing out clothes will vary depending on how strong the perfume scent is. It might take anywhere from a few hours to several days or even a couple of weeks for the smell to dissipate completely.
For dry-clean-only garments, the first step is to let them sit in the sun. The sun and wind may completely remove the scent, or at least dilute it before moving on to the next step. If the perfume scent still remains after airing them outside, you can try hanging the clothes in an enclosed cardboard box or wardrobe with a scent absorber, such as crumpled-up pieces of newspaper or a box of baking soda. Leave your clothes in the box or wardrobe for at least 72 hours to help eliminate the perfume smell.
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Frequently asked questions
Try soaking the clothes in a mixture of warm water and baking soda, then wash as usual. You can also add vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Vodka or rubbing alcohol can be used to neutralise the smell. You can also try using a scent absorber like baking soda, or a commercial scent eliminator.
Lemon juice diluted with water can be used to scrub the affected areas. You can also try using essential oils to overpower the smell.
Try using a laundry booster or Castile soap to wash your clothes. You can also try using a scented detergent to mask the smell.
