Anisha Riggs
Whether it's on your skin or your clothes, perfume can sometimes leave behind an overpowering scent that you'd rather get rid of. Luckily, there are several simple household solutions to neutralise unwanted aromas. For example, you can use baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, or even coffee grounds to remove lingering perfume smells from your clothes. To get rid of unwanted perfume from your skin, you can use makeup remover, rubbing alcohol, or even toothpaste. Read on to learn more about these methods and discover new ways to get rid of unwanted perfume smells.
Ways to Get Rid of Perfume Smell
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| From skin | Rubbing alcohol, vodka, makeup remover, toothpaste, coffee grounds, lemon juice and water, or baking soda paste |
| From clothes | Vinegar, lemon juice and water, baking soda, Castile soap, sunlight and wind, laundry detergent, enzyme-based cleaner, or commercial "scent eliminator" |
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What You'll Learn
Using baking soda
Baking soda is a well-known natural cleaning product that can effectively remove unwanted smells. It is amphoteric, meaning it can react with both acidic and alkaline substances. The molecules that cause odours are neutralised when they come into contact with baking soda.
To use baking soda to remove perfume smells from clothing, fill a sink or washing machine with warm water and one cup of baking soda. Soak the clothing completely submerged in the solution overnight or for a few days. Then, wash the clothing as usual, either in a washing machine or by hand with unscented laundry detergent.
For dry-clean-only clothing, hang the garments in an enclosed cardboard box or wardrobe. Place a box of baking soda at the bottom of the container and leave the clothes enclosed for at least 72 hours.
Baking soda can also be used to remove perfume smells from the skin. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to form a paste. Use this paste to rub the fragrance off your skin.
Additionally, baking soda can be used to eliminate unwanted food odours from kitchen appliances such as the dishwasher, oven, and microwave. For example, to remove odours from the dishwasher, simply run a rinse cycle with a cup of baking soda.
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Soaking clothes in vinegar
Soaking your clothes in vinegar is an effective way to neutralise strong perfume smells.
Firstly, it's important to note that not every fabric is suited to a vinegar rinse. Elastic or exercise clothing, for example, can be worn down over time as the acid in the vinegar can break down the elastic. Therefore, it is recommended to dilute the vinegar and only use it on these types of clothing if absolutely necessary.
To soak your clothes in vinegar, start by creating a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts cold water. Ensure that the garment you are attempting to wash is free of moisture, such as sweat. Then, soak your clothing in a sink or washing machine filled with the vinegar solution. Leave the clothes to soak overnight. In the morning, the items should be ready and free of scent.
After soaking, wash the clothing as usual, following the care label guidelines. You can add vinegar to the rinse cycle by pouring it into the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pouring it in during the final rinse cycle.
While it may seem unconventional, vinegar is a highly effective cleaner and deodorizer. It is a natural, green option that can also be used to brighten and soften your clothes.
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Airing and sunlight
Sunlight and fresh air are effective ways to naturally deodorize and sanitize clothes. The sun's UV rays kill bacteria, mould, and other microorganisms that cause odours, thereby eliminating the odour permanently. The sun also helps to bleach clothes and bake out the "funk".
To air out your clothes, you can hang them outside overnight. The wind and sunlight will naturally wash away any lingering perfume. Be mindful of the morning dew, as this can leave your clothes wet for a while. If you are line drying, hang your dark-coloured clothes in the shade, as bright sunlight can cause dyes to fade.
If you are using a clothes dryer, use a low-temperature setting like the permanent press option. Excessively high temperatures can cause remaining odour molecules to adhere more deeply to the fabric.
For dry-clean-only clothes, hang them in an enclosed cardboard box or wardrobe. Place a box of baking soda at the bottom of the box or wardrobe. Baking soda is a natural scent absorber that will attract and neutralize scents. Leave your clothes enclosed for at least 72 hours, or until the scent is gone.
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$17.04 $19.49
Rubbing alcohol
Removing Perfume Scents from Skin
To remove perfume from your skin, gently dab a cotton pad soaked in rubbing alcohol onto the area. This will dilute and lift the perfume, leaving your skin smelling fresh.
Removing Perfume Scents from Clothing
To remove perfume from clothing, you can spray or spritz rubbing alcohol directly onto the fabric. Ensure the fabric is not dry-clean only, as normal water-based methods can be too harsh and leave moisture in the fabric. Instead, opt for a gentle scent-removal method, such as hanging the clothes in a well-ventilated area or using a natural scent absorber like baking soda.
Removing Perfume Scents from Surfaces
To eliminate the smell of rubbing alcohol from non-porous surfaces, simply rinse with water or wipe down with a damp washcloth. This will effectively remove any excess alcohol and its strong odour.
Removing Perfume Scents from Bottles
To remove perfume residue and scent from a bottle, pour rubbing alcohol into the bottle and leave it overnight. The next day, pour out the alcohol, add a drop of mild hand dishwashing liquid, and fill the bottle with water. Shake the bottle to create a soapy solution, rinse with warm water, and then air-dry.
While rubbing alcohol is an effective odour remover, it is important to note that its strong odour can linger. Always ensure proper ventilation when using rubbing alcohol, and consider using odour removal sprays to mask the smell until it dissipates.
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Lemon juice
To use lemon juice to remove perfume smells from clothes, create a solution by mixing lemon juice with water. The ratio of lemon juice to water may vary depending on the concentration of the lemon juice and the intensity of the perfume smell. For example, you can mix equal parts lemon juice and water or use a quarter cup of lemon juice with a basin of water.
Once you have prepared the solution, you can apply it to the affected areas of the fabric. You can either soak the clothes in the solution for about 15 to 30 minutes or pour the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto the areas with the strongest concentration of perfume.
After applying the lemon juice solution, simply rinse or wash the fabric as you normally would. It is important to note that lemon juice can act as a natural bleach, so it is recommended to perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure it does not cause discoloration or damage, especially on colored garments.
In addition to lemon juice, other natural odor absorbers include baking soda, white vinegar, and essential oils. These can be used individually or in combination to effectively remove unwanted smells from fabrics.
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Frequently asked questions
You can rub your skin with pure alcohol, but this may be too harsh for sensitive skin. Instead, you can use makeup remover, or rub your skin with fresh coffee grounds, then wash with soap and water.
Airing out your clothes in the sun and wind can help to remove the scent. You can also soak your clothing in a mixture of warm water and baking soda, then wash as usual. Another option is to use vinegar; soak your clothes in a mixture of vinegar and water, then wash as normal.
Baking soda is an excellent neutralizer of unwanted odors. You can put a box of baking soda in your wardrobe to absorb odors from your clothes.
