Seamus Hammond
Whether it's a case of over-application or a change of heart, there are many ways to remove cologne from skin, hair, and clothes.
For skin, try using a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, or vodka to dab the affected area. You can also use makeup remover, unscented deodorant, or laundry detergent. If you're happy to use a stronger solution, pure alcohol will also do the trick.
For hair, a vinegar rinse can help. Mix one to two tablespoons of cider or wine vinegar into a cup of water and rinse your hair with this solution after shampooing and conditioning.
For clothes, try soaking the garment in a mixture of warm water and baking soda before washing as normal. Alternatively, you can try a laundry detergent and booster, or wash with lemon juice and water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Cotton balls, cotton pads, rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, unscented deodorant, baking soda, warm water, unflavoured vodka, white vinegar, oil, laundry detergent, shower gel, lotion, unscented heavy-duty laundry detergent, distilled white vinegar, unscented liquid laundry detergent, Castile soap, lemon juice, soft-bristled brush, dryer sheets, glycerine, absorbent pad, wet spotter, coconut oil, liquid dry-cleaning solvent, mineral oil, white dishwashing detergent, mild soap, cornmeal, boiled linseed oil, denatured alcohol, dry-cleaning solvent, glycerine, white dishwashing detergent, washing soda, detergent, Febreze, newspaper, box of baking soda, essential oils |
| Methods | Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and dab it on the affected area, apply unscented deodorant to the affected area and wash with an unscented heavy-duty laundry detergent, create a paste of equal parts of baking soda and warm water and rub it into the skin, soak cotton balls with unflavoured vodka and apply to the skin, mix white vinegar and oil and dab onto the skin, wash with soap and water, use a makeup remover designed for waterproof cosmetics, apply a mildly scented oil and give yourself a massage, use laundry detergent, use a vinegar rinse, use toothpaste, use hand sanitiser, use dishwashing liquid, use honey, use metal soap, use baby oil, use a scent eliminator product, use lemon juice and water, use laundry detergent and a booster, use laundry detergent and baking soda, use lemon juice and water, place dry clean only clothes in the sun, put clothes in an enclosed box or wardrobe, add a "scent sucker" |
What You'll Learn
Use alcohol or witch hazel on a cotton ball
Using alcohol or witch hazel on a cotton ball is a popular method for removing cologne or perfume from the skin. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:
Prepare the Cotton Ball
Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. You can also use unflavoured vodka in a pinch. Ensure the cotton ball is saturated but not dripping.
Apply to Skin
Gently dab the cotton ball on the areas of skin where you want to remove the cologne. Focus on the areas where you applied the fragrance, such as your wrists, neck, or pulse points. You can also use this method to remove cologne from your clothes, but be cautious as alcohol may stain or discolour certain fabrics. Test on a small area first if you are unsure.
Let it Work
The alcohol will quickly dilute the cologne, neutralising the scent. You may need to repeat the process a few times, especially if you have applied a lot of cologne or if it has a strong concentration.
Wash Your Skin
After removing the cologne, it is a good idea to wash your skin with a mild soap and water. This will help remove any residue and prevent dryness or irritation.
Benefits of This Method
This method is inexpensive and can be done with easily accessible household items. It is also a quick and effective way to remove cologne without having to wash your entire body.
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Wash with vinegar
If you're looking to remove cologne from your clothes, vinegar is an effective natural deodorizer. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Make Sure the Clothes Are Dry
Before attempting to remove any odours, ensure that the garment is completely dry. Any moisture on the fabric may disrupt the reaction that occurs when vinegar is applied.
Step 2: Add Vinegar to the Wash Cycle
When using vinegar to remove odours, it's best to use white distilled vinegar. Apple cider vinegar may stain your clothes. For a standard wash load, add about 240 mL of vinegar to the detergent compartment of your washing machine. There's no need to separate the garment from the rest of the load—feel free to wash the whole load with vinegar.
Step 3: Wash and Dry as Normal
After adding vinegar, simply run a normal wash cycle. The vinegar will act as a cleaning agent, removing unpleasant odours. If desired, you can use dryer sheets during the drying cycle to add a pleasant scent to your laundry. Make sure to dry your clothes completely. Leaving them damp and crumpled in the dryer can lead to the development of more musty smells.
Tips for Best Results:
- It may take several washes for stubborn odours to disappear completely.
- Both hot and cold water work well when washing with vinegar.
Alternative Methods:
If you'd like to explore other approaches to removing cologne odours from your clothes, here are some additional methods:
- Air it out: Hang your clothes outside in a breezy, sunny spot. Fresh air, sunlight, and wind can help dissipate lingering cologne odours.
- Castile soap: Castile soap, derived from vegetable or fruit oils, is an eco-friendly and versatile option for removing odours. Simply add a few drops to a bucket of warm water, soak the garment for about an hour, then wash and rinse by hand.
- Laundry booster: For stubborn odours, try using a laundry booster or additive, such as baking soda or Borax, along with your detergent. These products help remove bacteria and strong smells from clothing.
- Scented detergent: While this won't eliminate the cologne odour, it can help mask the scent. Opt for plant-based, scented detergents with fragrances like lavender or tropical blends.
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Wash with lemon juice and water
Lemon juice mixed with water can be used to remove cologne from clothes. Lemon juice is a natural solution that can remove your favourite scents while leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
Step 1: Make a Solution of 1:1 Lemon Juice and Water
In any spray bottle, mix equal parts lemon juice and water. For example, if you have 100ml of lemon juice, add 100ml of water. Make sure to mix thoroughly but don't overdo it, as this can break the solution's chemical bonds and render it useless.
Step 2: Spray the Garment With the Solution
Spray your lemon water solution onto the piece of clothing where the scent is concentrated. You can also spray the entire piece of clothing to give it a new, fresh scent.
Step 3: Use a Soft Brush to Scrub Areas of Application
By brushing the piece of clothing with a soft-bristled brush, you ensure that the solution penetrates the fabric's core and effectively removes the scent. This step also helps distribute the light scent of lemon evenly throughout the garment.
Step 4: Let Dry Outside
Note: This step is recommended for dark and old clothes only, as lemon juice has the potential to wash out lighter fabrics.
Leaving the garment outside to dry in the sun and wind will help activate the lemon juice's effect even further. The heat and sun rays will also help lock out any remaining traces of the unwanted scent. Leave the clothes outside for at least 24 hours to ensure complete dryness.
Additional Tips:
- It is important to wash your clothes shortly after they become saturated with cologne.
- Before attempting to wash, make sure the garment is free of moisture (such as sweat), as this can disrupt the reaction that will take place when the lemon juice solution is applied.
- If you are concerned about the lemon juice potentially discolouring your clothes, you can try other natural solutions such as vinegar or alcohol.
- For dry-clean-only clothes, it is best to air them out in the sun for 24 hours before attempting any other scent-removal methods.
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Use laundry detergent and booster
If you've tried other methods to remove the scent of cologne from your clothes and they haven't worked, it's worth trying to wash your clothes in the traditional way. This method will prime your clothes and introduce artificial scents that could neutralize the cologne.
Step 1: Add 1/2 cup of detergent, booster, and/or baking soda
Add your desired amount of detergent or your go-to cleaning aid. You can also add baking soda for extra scent-erasing strength.
Step 2: Wash clothes in warm water
Washing your clothes in warm water will help release the detergent's full power, giving you the greatest chance of getting even the most potent cologne scents out of your garments.
Step 3: Dry outside in the sun
The combination of heat and sun rays reacts with the chemical composition of the cologne, helping to lock it out after washing.
Extra deodorizing tips
- Utilize the sun's heat: The longer you air out your clothes in the sun, the easier they'll be to wash.
- Plain vodka: Spraying vodka onto your clothes can help absorb some of the smell.
- Repeat the process: Wash, dry in the dryer, and repeat. It takes patience, but eventually, the smell will come out.
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Hang clothes outside
Hanging your clothes outside is a simple and effective way to remove cologne odours without having to wash them. The fresh air will circulate around the garment, helping to lift and disperse those stubborn fragrance molecules.
If you can, try hanging your clothes outside on a clothesline. Direct sunlight will also help to naturally deodorise fabrics. If hanging your clothes outside isn't possible, try hanging them in a well-ventilated room with open windows and doors. Rotate and spread out the clothes for maximum air exposure. Leave them for at least 12 hours, or even up to 48 hours if possible, to ensure the smell is gone or significantly reduced.
If you're worried about sun bleaching, turn your garments inside out. If the weather doesn't permit outdoor airing, you can also hang them in a room with the windows open, or in your garage.
This process is called outgassing or off-gassing, and it's a great way to avoid polluting your indoor air with laundry fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. You can also try using makeup remover, unscented deodorant, or laundry detergent.
First, try airing out your clothes. If that doesn't work, soak them in a mixture of warm water and baking soda, then wash them as usual with unscented laundry detergent and an extra rinse cycle.
If the stain is on a washable fabric, such as cotton or polyester, sponge the stain with water, then apply a wet spotter and cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the wet spotter. Keep the pad moist and change it as it picks up the stain. Flush with water and repeat until the stain is gone.
Try airing out your clothes in the sun, then placing them in an enclosed box or wardrobe with a scent absorber like baking soda or newspaper.
