Seamus Hammond
Perfume can be a wonderful addition to our daily routine, but sometimes the scent can become overpowering or linger longer than desired. Whether you've accidentally applied too much or want to remove the smell from your clothes, skin, or surroundings, there are several methods to neutralize and eliminate perfume odours. Some common household items that can neutralize perfume include baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, and alcohol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Neutralizers | Baking soda, lemon juice, alcohol, vinegar, coffee grounds, milk, essential oils, water, sunlight, dry shampoo, unscented deodorant, witch hazel, makeup remover, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, activated charcoal |
| Application | For skin, rub baking soda and water paste on the affected area, or use makeup remover, oils, or alcohol. For clothes, use baking soda, lemon juice, alcohol, vinegar, or water. For enclosed spaces, use activated charcoal or coffee grounds |
| Effect | Neutralizers break down or absorb fragrance molecules |
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What You'll Learn
Lemon juice and water
Lemon juice can also be used to remove grease and grime from surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen. For example, to clean a plastic cutting board, pour lemon juice onto the affected area and use a brush or cloth to work out the stain. For tougher stains, let the lemon juice sit for a while before scrubbing. Lemon juice can also be used to clean your microwave. Put some slices of lemon, a few tablespoons of vinegar, and a cup of water in a bowl and microwave on high for two minutes. Wait 15 minutes, then use the steam to wipe down the insides of the microwave with a cloth.
Lemon juice can also be used to deodorize carpets. Simply rub some lemon juice gently into the carpet to get rid of the smell. However, be sure to test the juice on a small section first to make sure it doesn't bleach the fabric.
While lemon juice can be effective for removing some odours, it may not be powerful enough to eliminate all smells. For example, one source notes that boiling lemons did not create a pleasant aroma in their home, and another source notes that lemon juice was not effective at removing a strong perfume scent from clothing. In these cases, a commercial air freshener or laundry product may be more effective at eliminating unwanted smells.
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Alcohol or vodka spray
Vodka or alcohol spray is an effective way to neutralize the smell of perfume. Vodka or rubbing alcohol can be sprayed directly onto a heavily perfumed area to neutralize the scent. This method works because alcohol is a natural neutralizer for heavy perfume scents. It is a potent, odorless neutralizer that can break down the compounds in the perfume.
Alcohol is a common ingredient in perfumes, acting as a matrix that keeps all the notes and ingredients together. Once the alcohol evaporates, you are left with the scent of the perfume on your skin. However, the smell of alcohol can sometimes be noticeable in cheaper perfumes, and some people may be able to detect a "rubbing alcohol" tone to the fragrance.
While vodka or alcohol spray is an effective way to neutralize perfume smells on surfaces or fabrics, it should be noted that alcohol can be drying on the skin and may cause irritation for those with sensitive or dry skin. If you are using alcohol to neutralize perfume on your skin, it should be used sparingly and followed by a moisturizer.
Other effective methods for neutralizing perfume smells include using vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, or essential oils. These natural remedies can be used to eliminate unwanted scents from clothing, skin, and living spaces. For example, a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water can be sprayed onto a perfumed area and left to air dry, effectively neutralizing the odor. Similarly, baking soda can be sprinkled onto fabric surfaces and left for a few hours before being vacuumed up, absorbing and neutralizing odors. Essential oils can be diffused to freshen up the air and eliminate unwanted perfume odors, while lemon juice can be used to eliminate odors and break up scent molecules, although it may be harsh on sensitive skin.
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Baking soda
To neutralize perfume odours with baking soda, you can place an opened box or bowl of baking soda in an enclosed space with the affected item. For example, if perfume has been spilled on a carpet, you can place a bowl of baking soda in the room to absorb the odour.
While baking soda is effective at neutralizing odours, it typically takes at least 24 hours to absorb them. For stubborn smells, it may take several days. Additionally, baking soda may not be strong enough to neutralize strong perfume odours on its own, and it may need to be combined with other odour-eliminating products.
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Essential oils
Citrus oils, such as lemon, are particularly effective at neutralising smells. Lemon oil can be used in a diffuser to eliminate and camouflage household odours. Lemongrass oil is another citrus oil with antimicrobial effects that can be diffused around the home to mask unpleasant scents.
Other essential oils with fresh, clean scents include eucalyptus oil, which has effective antibacterial properties, and tea tree oil, which can be blended with other oils to maintain freshness while fighting bacteria.
To use essential oils as odour neutralisers, it is recommended to use a dropper to dispense the oil and to leave the room while the scent neutraliser works. Essential oils can be quite strong, so it is important to take precautions when using them, such as wearing gloves and avoiding direct contact with bare hands or skin.
In addition to essential oils, there are other natural products that can be used to neutralise the smell of perfume. Baking soda, for example, is an excellent neutraliser of unwanted odours. It can be used to create a paste that can be rubbed on the skin to remove fragrance, or added to water to soak up clothes with perfume odours.
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Fresh air and sunlight
Sunlight has natural deodorising properties, so hanging your clothes outside in direct sunlight for a few hours will help to break down and eliminate the perfume smell. The fresh air will also help to dissipate any remaining scents.
If you are looking for a more immediate solution, baking soda is another excellent neutraliser of unwanted odours. For fabrics, add a few teaspoons of baking soda to water and let your clothes soak up the solution. For your skin, mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water and use this paste to rub the fragrance off.
Another natural deodorising method is to use lemon juice, which has mild acidic properties that can help to break up scent molecules. Apply fresh lemon juice to the skin or fabric, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with water.
Additionally, coffee grounds are great at absorbing and masking odours. Place dry coffee grounds in a bowl and leave them near the perfume-scented item. They can absorb the smell within a few hours.
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Frequently asked questions
To get rid of perfume smell from your skin, you can use rubbing alcohol, baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, or coconut/olive oil.
To neutralize perfume smells on clothes, you can use baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, or vodka.
Some general ways to neutralize the smell of perfume include using activated charcoal, coffee grounds, or essential oils.
