Eliminating Cologne Scents: Quick Bottle-Cleaning Methods

Removing cologne or perfume from its bottle can be done in several ways. One method is to use rubbing alcohol, which can be substituted with vodka. Pour the alcohol into the bottle, seal it, and leave it overnight. The next day, wash the bottle and let it air dry. Another method is to use lemon juice. Squeeze lemon juice into the bottle, seal it, and leave it overnight. The next day, wash the bottle with soapy water and let it air dry. The lemon juice will act as a natural deodorizer, and its smell will also dissipate.

Use rubbing alcohol

To remove cologne or perfume smell from a bottle using rubbing alcohol, you will need the following:

• Newspaper
• Rubbing alcohol
• Mild hand dishwashing liquid
• Water
• A sink

First, lay out newspaper on your work surface to protect it from any spills. Empty any remaining cologne from the bottle into the sink and place the bottle on the newspaper.

Next, pour straight rubbing alcohol into the bottle until it is full. Screw the cap or lid on tightly and leave the bottle to sit overnight.

The next day, pour out the rubbing alcohol. Add one drop of mild hand dishwashing liquid to the bottle, then fill it with water. Replace the cap and shake the bottle to mix the soapy solution. Rinse the bottle with warm water until all the soapy solution is gone, then leave the bottle to air dry with the cap off.

This method is inexpensive and will allow you to quickly reuse the bottle, whether it's to display as a decorative item or for a craft project.

Try lemon juice

Lemon juice is a natural deodorizer and a great way to remove cologne or perfume smells from a bottle. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Work Area

Lay out some newspaper on your work surface to protect it from spills. This is an important step, as lemon juice can stain surfaces.

Step 2: Empty the Bottle

Empty any remaining cologne from the bottle into a sink. If the bottle has a spray nozzle, remove it and set the bottle on the newspaper.

Step 3: Lemon Juice Soak

Slice up three or four fresh lemons and squeeze the juice into the bottle. You want to ensure the lemon juice covers the entire inside surface of the bottle. Seal the bottle with the cap and swish the lemon juice around to ensure it coats the entire inside of the bottle.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Leave the lemon juice in the bottle overnight. The acid in the lemon juice will help neutralize and break down the cologne smell.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash

In the morning, pour out the lemon juice. Fill the bottle with a mild soapy solution and water. Replace the cap and shake the bottle to mix the solution and wash the inside of the bottle. Rinse the bottle with warm water until all the soapy residue is gone.

Step 6: Air Dry

Finally, air-dry the bottle with the cap off. The lemon juice smell will also dissipate as the bottle dries.

Your bottle should now be free of the cologne smell and ready for your desired use.

Neutralise with coffee grounds

To remove cologne from its bottle quickly, you can try using coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are an effective, natural deodorizer and can help to neutralize strong scents. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Prepare the Work Area

Lay out some newspaper on your work surface to protect it from any spills or messes. This is especially important if you're working on a porous surface, like a wooden table or countertop, as the newspaper will prevent the coffee grounds from staining the surface.

Prepare the Bottle

If there is any remaining cologne in the bottle, carefully pour it out into a sink or a container. You want to ensure that the bottle is as empty as possible before proceeding. Place the bottle on the prepared newspaper.

Use Coffee Grounds

Take your coffee grounds and fill the bottle about halfway with them. You can use fresh or used coffee grounds for this purpose. If you're using fresh grounds, it's best to let them dry out a bit before using them, as wet grounds may be messier and could take longer to work. Secure the bottle's cap or lid tightly.

Let it Sit

Leave the bottle filled with coffee grounds undisturbed for at least 24 hours. The longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be at absorbing and neutralizing the cologne scent. The coffee grounds will help to draw out and trap the cologne's fragrance molecules, replacing them with a neutral or pleasant coffee aroma.

Rinse and Dry

After the bottle has had sufficient time to sit with the coffee grounds, carefully pour them out into a sink or trash bin. Rinse the bottle thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining grounds or residue. Finally, allow the bottle to air dry with the cap off.

You can repeat this process if needed until the cologne scent is completely gone. Coffee grounds are a natural, inexpensive, and easily accessible option for removing unwanted scents from bottles or containers.

Wash with vinegar

Vinegar is a great option for removing cologne or perfume from a bottle or container. The chemical composition of vinegar makes it a fantastic everyday cleaner, according to Harvard's School of Public Health. It is also a great eco-friendly option.

• Ensure that the bottle is made of a material that can be safely washed, such as glass or plastic. If the bottle is made of delicate material, consult a specialist before proceeding.
• Prepare a mixture of vinegar and water. For a small bottle, mix approximately 240 ml of vinegar with an equal amount of water. Adjust the quantities as needed for larger bottles.
• Pour the vinegar mixture into the bottle, completely filling it.
• Recap the bottle tightly and let it sit for several hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at removing the scent.
• After letting the vinegar mixture sit, pour it out.
• Rinse the bottle thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar and scent.
• Allow the bottle to air dry with the cap off.

This method is simple, effective, and inexpensive. It is important to note that this process may need to be repeated for complete odour removal, especially if the cologne or perfume was very strong or concentrated. Additionally, if the bottle has a spray nozzle, it may be helpful to detach it and soak it separately in the vinegar mixture to ensure that any residual scent is eliminated.

Soak in baking soda

To remove cologne or perfume from a bottle, you can try the following method using baking soda:

• Lay newspaper on your work surface to protect it from any spills.
• Empty out any remaining cologne from the bottle into a sink and set the bottle on the newspaper.
• Fill the bottle with warm water and add 1 cup of baking soda.
• Leave the bottle to soak for a few hours or overnight. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will be.
• After soaking, pour out the baking soda and water solution.
• Wash the bottle with a mild hand dishwashing detergent. Add 1 drop of detergent to the bottle, fill it with water, and replace the cap. Shake the bottle to create a soapy solution and wash the inside of the bottle.
• Rinse the bottle with warm water until all the soapy solution is gone, then air-dry the bottle with the cap off.

If the cologne smell remains, you can repeat the process or try another method, such as using rubbing alcohol, lemon juice, or vinegar.

Frequently asked questions