Seamus Hammond
Removing perfume odours from clothes can be challenging, especially if the scent is concentrated. While some people prefer to use scented detergents or dryer sheets to mask the smell, this may not be suitable for those sensitive to chemicals. Instead, natural, homemade remedies can be used to neutralize the odour, such as lemon juice, vinegar, vodka, or baking soda. Soaking clothes in a vinegar solution before washing can help eliminate odours, as vinegar acts as a natural deodorizer. Similarly, lemon juice can be applied directly to the affected areas or mixed with water and sprayed onto the fabric. For more stubborn odours, a pre-soak in borax or baking soda followed by a regular wash may be necessary. Alternatively, placing the garment in direct sunlight can help neutralize the perfume's odour-causing compounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soak clothes in | White vinegar and water solution, lemon juice and water solution, borax, or baking soda and water solution |
| Wash with | Enzyme-based cleaner, unscented laundry detergent, or scented detergent |
| Dry with | Sunlight, clothesline, drying rack, or clothes dryer on a low-temperature setting |
| Store | In a sealed plastic tub or heavy-duty plastic bag with a box of baking soda |
| Other methods | Brushing with a soft-bristled brush, soaking in vodka, soaking in coffee grounds, or using a fabric refresher like Febreze |
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What You'll Learn
Soak clothes in a vinegar solution
Soaking clothes in a vinegar solution is an effective way to remove perfume odours. White vinegar, in particular, is known for its odour-removing properties.
To soak your clothes in a vinegar solution, fill a basin with enough water to cover the clothes and pour in a cup of white vinegar. Immerse the clothes for about half an hour to an hour. This method helps get rid of residue chemicals from the perfume, making it easier to remove them during the laundry.
You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the vinegar solution to create a pleasant scent. Lavender or eucalyptus oil are great options. After soaking the clothes in the vinegar solution, simply rinse or wash them as usual.
It is important to note that while vinegar is a powerful odour remover, it may not work for all types of fabric. Additionally, avoid mixing vinegar with bleach or chlorine bleach products as the combination can be highly toxic.
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Use lemon juice and water
Lemon juice and water can be used effectively to eliminate perfume odours from clothes. Lemon juice is a natural solution for removing scents from clothing. Its mild acidity helps to break up scent molecules, thereby removing the perfume smell.
To use this method, mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. For instance, if you have 100ml of lemon juice, add 100ml of water. Make sure to mix the solution thoroughly but do not overdo it as this can break the solution's chemical bonds, rendering it useless.
Spray the solution onto the sections of the clothing that have absorbed the perfume. Allow the solution to sit for 15-30 minutes. After this, rinse the fabric or wash it as usual.
Lemon juice, when combined with sunlight, may bleach or stain certain garments, so be cautious when drying the clothes. If you want the lemon scent to be absorbed into the garment, dry the clothes in the sun. Alternatively, to avoid the lemon scent, dry the clothes in a washing machine.
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Neutralise with vodka
Vodka can be used to effectively neutralise perfume odours from clothes. Vodka is a natural neutraliser for heavy perfume scents. It kills bacteria and neutralises the smell without leaving a residue.
To use vodka to remove perfume odours from clothes, pour the vodka into a spray bottle. You can dilute the vodka with water, usually in a 1:1 ratio, or use it undiluted. Spray the vodka solution liberally on the affected areas of the garment. Allow the vodka to sit on the garment for 5-10 minutes. Then, rinse the garment with cool water. Finally, let the garment air-dry. Repeat the process if necessary until the smell is gone.
Vodka is particularly useful for removing odours from dry clean only clothing, as these items cannot be washed in the machine. However, it should be noted that certain fabrics like wool, silk, acetate, rayon, and acrylic may be damaged by harsh alcohol. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using vodka on these fabrics.
In addition to vodka, there are several other methods to neutralise perfume odours from clothes. These include using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, coffee grounds, and laundry boosters.
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Sprinkle with baking soda
If you want to remove perfume odours from clothes using baking soda, there are several methods you can try.
Firstly, you can sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the affected areas of fabric. Leave the baking soda on the garment for a couple of hours or overnight so that it can effectively absorb the odour. After this, simply shake off any excess baking soda and then wash the clothing as usual.
Another method is to soak the clothing in a sink or washing machine filled with warm water and one cup of baking soda before washing. Leave the clothing to soak overnight, or for a few days if necessary. Then, wash the clothing as usual, following the care label guidelines, either in a washing machine or by hand with unscented laundry detergent.
If you are short on time, you can place the garment in a plastic bag with half a cup of baking soda. Shake the bag thoroughly and leave for 10 minutes. Then, remove the garment from the bag and shake off any excess baking soda.
Baking soda can also be used to remove perfume odours from clothes without washing them. Simply place the fragrant garments in a sealed plastic tub or heavy-duty plastic bag with a box of baking soda. The baking soda will absorb the odours, just like it does in your refrigerator.
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Wash with scented detergent
If you want to mask the smell of perfume on your clothes, wash them with a scented detergent. This method may not completely remove the perfume smell, but it will make it less noticeable.
Before washing your clothes, check the garment tag of your individual items to determine the best water temperature and amount of detergent. If you are washing a small load of laundry, use half of a capful of detergent. Many detergents are scented with plant-based aromas that work well to cover up the smell. However, if you are sensitive to chemicals, this may not be the best suggestion for you.
If your item is hand-wash only, do not put it in the washing machine. Instead, wash your garment by hand using 1–2 US tablespoons (15–30 mL) of scented detergent.
After washing, hang your clothing outside for several hours to air it out. Sunlight will help remove the odors, but bright sunlight can also cause dyes to fade, so hang dark-colored clothes in the shade.
If you are looking for a more natural solution, baking soda can be used to neutralize odors. Simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the affected areas of fabric and leave it for a couple of hours or overnight so that it can effectively absorb the odor.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods to remove perfume odours from clothes. You can soak the clothes in a solution of vinegar and water, and then wash them. Alternatively, you can use lemon juice and water, or vodka, and then rinse the fabric or wash it normally.
You can use baking soda, which works as a deodorizer. Sprinkle a generous amount over the affected areas, leave for a few hours, and then rinse.
You can try using an enzyme-based cleaner, which targets and dissolves the molecules causing the odour.
Air the item out, and then use a fabric refresher like Febreze. If the smell persists, you may need to use a professional dry cleaning service.
Yes, you can try using a scent absorber like coffee grounds. Place the item and the coffee grounds in a large paper bag overnight, and then shake off the grounds.
