Eliminating Lingering Cologne Scents From Clothes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Getting rid of cologne or perfume smells from clothes can be tricky, but there are several methods you can try. The first is to hang your clothes outside for a few hours or even a few days to let the wind and sunlight wash away the scent. If you don't want to air your clothes in direct sunlight, try hanging them in a covered patio or carport, or place them near leafy green plants, which can help absorb the odours.

If the smell is particularly strong, you might want to try washing your clothes with vinegar. Make sure your clothes are dry, then add them to the washing machine with 240ml of vinegar instead of soap. Wash and dry your clothes as normal.

You can also try handwashing your clothes with Castile soap. Again, make sure your clothes are dry, then add 4-5 drops of Castile soap to a bucket of water. Wash your clothes in the mixture by hand using warm water, then leave them outside to dry in the sun for at least 24 hours.

If you've tried these methods and the smell is still lingering, you could try using a laundry booster or baking soda. Soak your clothes in a mixture of warm water and baking soda overnight, then wash them as normal the next day.

Soak clothes in a vinegar solution

Soaking clothes in a vinegar solution is an effective way to remove cologne or perfume smells from clothes. The chemical composition of vinegar makes it a powerful everyday cleaner and a great, environmentally-friendly option.

To start, ensure that the clothes you want to treat are completely dry. This is important because the molecules in any moisture on the fabric can disrupt the reaction that will take place when vinegar is applied. Next, prepare the vinegar solution. The amount of vinegar you need will depend on the amount of water you use. A good rule of thumb is to mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water. If you are treating multiple items, you can mix a larger solution in a bucket or your washing machine. For example, you can mix one gallon of room-temperature water with a quarter cup of white vinegar.

Once you have prepared your solution, fully submerge the clothes in it. Allow the clothes to soak for at least 15 minutes, and overnight if necessary. After soaking, rinse the clothes and then wash them as you normally would, either by hand or in a washing machine. If you are using a washing machine, you can add the vinegar solution to the rinse cycle and wash the garment by itself to take maximum advantage of the vinegar solution. If you are washing by hand, you can add a quarter cup of vinegar to the water you are using to wash the clothes.

After washing, dry the clothes as you normally would. If you are using a dryer, you can add scented dryer sheets to the cycle to add a pleasant scent to the clothes. If you are air-drying the clothes, hang them outside in a cool, dry, and breezy location. This will help to dispel any remaining scent.

Hang clothes outside

Hanging your clothes outside is a simple and effective way to remove cologne or perfume smells. The fresh air and sunlight will help to dissipate the scent from your clothes.

To start, find a breezy, well-ventilated spot outside, preferably in direct sunlight. If you have a clothesline, that's perfect. If not, you can use clothespins to hang your clothes over a fence, lawn chairs, or a porch railing. Make sure to hang your clothes outside for at least 12 hours, but for the best results, leave them out for 24 hours or more. If you can, turn the garments inside out to avoid sun bleaching.

If hanging your clothes outside is not possible due to weather conditions, you can still benefit from the power of fresh air by hanging them indoors. Choose a warm, sunlit room with lots of leafy green plants, which can help absorb the odours. Open the windows to create a breeze and hang your clothes up for as long as possible, ideally for at least 12 hours.

Hanging your clothes outside in the fresh air and sunlight is a natural and gentle way to remove cologne or perfume smells. It may take some time, but it's an effective method that avoids the use of any additional chemicals.

Wash with Castile soap

Removing Cologne Smell from Clothes with Castile Soap

Castile soap is an eco-friendly, natural, and gentle alternative to commercial laundry detergents. It is made from 100% vegetable oils, such as olive, almond, or coconut oil, and lye, and comes in bar or liquid form. It is a popular choice for those with skin irritations or allergies, and for washing delicate fabrics such as silk, wool, and cashmere.

How to Wash with Castile Soap

Before using castile soap, check the care labels on your clothes to ensure they can be washed. When using castile soap for laundry, it is important to dilute it first. For a normal load of laundry, use one-third to half a cup of liquid or grated castile soap. If your load is particularly dirty, you can add half a cup of baking soda.

You can also make a diluted mixture in advance by combining one part castile soap with ten parts water, and adding essential oils if desired. Store this mixture in a container and use it in place of your regular laundry detergent.

To wash your clothes, simply add the diluted castile soap to your washing machine as you would with regular detergent. You can also add half a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle to cut any residue. However, it is important to note that you should not mix castile soap and vinegar together, as they have different pH levels and can curdle or separate.

Castile soap may not be as effective at removing tough stains, so it is recommended to pre-treat stains with a commercial stain remover before washing. Additionally, castile soap may not have the same softening properties as commercial detergents, so you may need to use a separate fabric softener if desired.

Other Methods to Remove Cologne Smell from Clothes

If you are unable to wash your clothes with castile soap, or the smell persists, there are several other methods you can try:

• Soak your clothes in a mixture of one gallon of room-temperature water, two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid, and a quarter cup of white vinegar. Soak for at least 15 minutes, or overnight if necessary, then rinse and wash as usual.
• Hang your clothes outside in the sun and fresh air. This is especially effective for dry-clean-only garments.
• Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water and add it to the rinse cycle when washing the garment. Wash the item separately to maximize the effect of the vinegar solution.

Use laundry detergent and booster

If the previous two methods don't work, you can try washing your clothes in the traditional way. The clothes will be primed from the two previous attempts, and you will now be introducing artificial scents that could neutralize the fragrance you're trying to remove.

Step 1: Add 1/2 Cup of Detergent, Booster, and/or Baking Soda

Add 1/2 cup of detergent, booster, and/or baking soda. You know how to do this part—just like you were washing any other load of laundry, add your desired amount of detergent or go-to cleaning aid. Baking soda is a little unorthodox, but it can help add extra scent-erasing strength.

Step 2: Wash Clothes in Warm Water

Again, by doing this instead of using cold water, you're helping to release the detergent's full power, meaning you have the greatest chance of getting even the most potent and pure perfume scents out of a garment.

Step 3: Dry Outside in the Sun

The same as with the previous methods, the combination of heat and sun rays reacts with the chemical composition of the undesired scent and helps to lock it out after washing.

Wash with lemon juice and water

Lemon juice mixed with water can be used to remove cologne from clothes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Make a Solution of 1:1 Lemon Juice and Water

In a spray bottle, mix equal parts lemon juice and water. For instance, 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 Solution on the Garment

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

Step 3: Scrub the Areas of Application

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

Step 4: Let the Garment Dry Outside

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

Please note that this method may not completely remove all odours on the first try, and you may need to repeat the process. Additionally, always check the care label of your clothing before attempting any cleaning method, as some fabrics may have specific instructions or restrictions.

Frequently asked questions