Neutralizing Strong Cologne Scents: Tips And Tricks

Whether you've accidentally spilled a bottle of cologne or you've applied too much, there are several ways to neutralize the smell. For small areas, such as your skin or clothing, you can try using rubbing alcohol, coffee grounds, or baking soda. For larger areas, like a room, try using white vinegar, burning an unscented candle, or placing charcoal briquettes in a bowl. If you're looking to remove the smell of cologne from your hair, a combination of baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and activated charcoal may do the trick.

Methods to Neutralize Cologne Smell

Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball

Neutralizing Cologne Smell with Rubbing Alcohol on a Cotton Ball

Rubbing alcohol is a versatile household item that can be used to neutralize cologne or perfume smells. It is a natural bactericidal treatment, meaning it kills bacteria and can also kill fungi and viruses.

How to Use It

To neutralize cologne or perfume using rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, follow these steps:

• Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol: Start by pouring some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball. Ensure the cotton ball is damp but not soaked, as you don't want excess moisture.
• Swipe the perfumed skin: Gently swipe or dab the cotton ball over the skin where the cologne or perfume was applied. This technique is particularly useful if you have applied too much cologne or perfume by accident.
• Reapply if needed: If the cologne or perfume smell persists, reapply more rubbing alcohol to the cotton ball and swipe again.
• Let the skin dry: Once you have neutralized the scent to your liking, let the area of skin dry. You don't need to rinse with water, as the alcohol will evaporate.

Additional Tips:

• If you don't have cotton balls, you can use alcohol wipes or a cotton pad.
• For on-the-go solutions, alcohol wipes are a convenient option.
• Always use a mild soap and pat your skin dry with a clean towel after washing.
• Be cautious when using rubbing alcohol on acne-prone skin, as it can be drying.
• Avoid applying rubbing alcohol after shaving, as it may sting.

By following these steps, you can effectively neutralize cologne or perfume smells using rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball.

Apply coffee grounds and then wash with soap

If you've applied too much cologne, don't worry—coffee grounds can come to the rescue!

First, grab some unbrewed coffee grounds and rub them onto the spot where you applied the cologne. Focus on your wrists, as this is a common pulse point where cologne is typically applied. The coffee grounds will work to neutralise the cologne's scent, and they'll also provide an exfoliating treatment for your skin.

Next, wash the coffee grounds off your skin with soap and water. Any type of soap will do, but if you want to be extra thorough, opt for a soap with a high fat content, like Marseilles soap or castile soap. These soaps are better at breaking down oils, which are commonly found in colognes and perfumes.

If you don't have coffee grounds on hand, there are a few other methods you can try to neutralise cologne. One is to use rubbing alcohol. Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and dab it onto the areas where you applied the cologne. The alcohol will quickly dilute the scent. You can also try using a stainless steel faucet or fixture to remove the scent. Simply rub your wrists against the stainless steel, and the odour should be neutralised.

With these tips in mind, you can confidently apply your cologne without worrying about overdoing it!

Use baking soda and activated charcoal

Baking soda and activated charcoal are highly effective tools for neutralizing cologne and other unwanted smells. They can be used on fabrics, in enclosed spaces, and even on your skin.

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a base that reacts with both acids and bases, particularly acids. It neutralizes odours by turning them into salt, thereby trapping them permanently. To use baking soda to neutralize cologne, create a paste by mixing it with a small amount of water and apply it to the scented area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off. This method works for both skin and fabrics. You can also add half a cup of baking soda to your wash cycle to neutralize odours in your laundry.

Activated charcoal, on the other hand, uses a process called adsorption to attract and trap odour molecules within its porous structure. It is effective at absorbing a wide range of chemicals responsible for generating odours. To use activated charcoal, place it in a small bag or container and leave it near the source of the cologne smell. It is especially useful for enclosed spaces like closets or drawers. For fabrics, you can also place the activated charcoal in a sealed bin or bag with the garment and leave it for a few days.

By using these methods, you can effectively neutralize cologne smells and other unwanted odours, leaving your environment and fabrics fresh and odour-free.

Wash with Marseilles soap

Marseilles soap is a natural, hypoallergenic soap that can be used to neutralise cologne and other strong scents. It is made from a mixture of vegetable oils, soda, salt, water, and traces of glycerin, and is entirely natural, containing no animal fats, colouring agents, perfumes, or synthetic additives.

To effectively use Marseilles soap to neutralise cologne, follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose an Authentic Marseilles Soap

Not all soaps labelled as "Marseilles soap" are authentic. To ensure you have an authentic product, look for the mention of 72% vegetable oils on the soap and its packaging. Read the ingredients list carefully—it should only contain vegetable oils, soda, salt, water, and traces of glycerin. The authentic soap will also be in the shape of a 600g cube or a parallelepiped or oval, and will be either green-brown or white in colour.

Step 2: Prepare the Soap

If you have purchased a large block of Marseilles soap, cut off a small piece to use. You can use a knife or a cheese grater to cut the soap. The amount you need will depend on the size of the area you are washing.

Step 3: Create a Lather

Wet your hands or a washcloth with warm water, and rub the soap between your palms or on the washcloth to create a lather. You may need to rub the soap vigorously to create a good lather, as Marseilles soap is very pure and natural.

Step 4: Wash the Skin

Use your hands or the washcloth to gently wash the skin, focusing on the areas where the cologne was applied. Rinse the skin with warm water, ensuring that all soap residue is removed.

Step 5: Dry the Skin

Gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel.

By following these steps and using authentic Marseilles soap, you can effectively neutralise cologne and other strong scents. The natural ingredients and pure, hypoallergenic formula of Marseilles soap make it a gentle and effective option for removing unwanted fragrances from the skin.

Set out a bowl of white vinegar

If you're looking to neutralise cologne smells from your clothes, setting out a bowl of white vinegar is an effective method. White vinegar is a powerhouse natural cleaner with a distinctive aroma. Its chemical makeup makes it a fantastic everyday cleaner, according to Harvard's School of Public Health.

To use this method, first, ensure that the clothes you want to remove the cologne smell from are dry. This is important because the moisture molecules could disrupt the reaction that will take place when vinegar is applied. Next, place the clothes in a washing machine and add 240ml of white vinegar instead of soap. You can wash the whole load of laundry with the vinegar. After adding the vinegar, simply set the wash cycle as normal. The vinegar will act as the cleaning agent, and you can use dryer sheets during drying to add a desired scent.

After the cycle is complete, put the laundry into the dryer with scented or unscented dryer sheets. Make sure to run the cycle until the clothes are completely dry. If the clothes are left damp and crumpled in the dryer, more musty smells can develop.

If you don't want to use a washing machine, you can also soak the clothes before washing them. Fill a sink or washing machine with warm water and add one cup of baking soda. Ensure that the vessel is large enough to submerge the clothes completely. Leave the clothes to soak overnight or for a few days. Then, wash the clothes as usual, following the care label guidelines, either in a washing machine or by hand with unscented laundry detergent. Add at least 1/4 cup ofsection=multimedia&text=Distilled%20white%20vinegar%20is%20a%20> distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle and stop the cycle. Let the laundry soak for an hour before completing the rinse cycle. The vinegar will help to cut through any remaining cologne residue in the fibres. Finally, add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is washed from your clothes.

White vinegar is an excellent, eco-friendly option for neutralising cologne smells from clothes.

Frequently asked questions