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If your clothes smell a little too strongly of perfume, detergent, or another fragrance, you can easily get rid of the scent with some products you probably already have in your house! Neutralizing that smell is as easy as making a simple solution, with ingredients like baking soda, lemon juice, or coffee grounds, and then applying it to the garments before washing them in the machine. There are also ways to prevent fragrances from overpowering your clothes, like better drying techniques and quick fixes for when you're in a hurry and washing is not an option.
Steps
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Add 1 c (240 mL) of vinegar to your wash cycle to eliminate odors. Use the vinegar in place of your laundry detergent to absorb unpleasant odors. Vinegar is an effective natural deodorizer. [1] X Expert Source Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert Expert Interview. 8 November 2019. Pour it directly onto your clothes after you put them in the washer, and rinse them 1-3 times until the smell is gone. [2] X Research source [3] X Expert Source Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.- For best results, use white distilled vinegar. Apple cider vinegar may stain clothes.
- You can use either hot or cold water. Both work well when washing with vinegar.
- It may take several washes for the smell to disappear.
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Wash your delicate clothing by hand using Castile soap. Simply pour 3-5 drops of the Castile soap onto the smelly area, and rinse it out with warm water. If you’d like, you can gently scrub the spot with a soft-bristled brush, though this is not required.
- This is a great idea for bras or undershirts that may still smell like perfume.
- If you want to conserve water, wash your clothing in the shower.
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Use laundry booster to wash your clothes to get rid of stubborn smells. Laundry booster is a washing additive that helps remove bacteria and smells from clothing. You can use either store bought brands or organic homemade soaps, such as Borax or baking soda. This is a great idea if you have tried other methods and your clothes still smell like residual perfume. If you use laundry booster in your wash, it can get rid of the stubborn perfume odor. [4] X Research source
- If using a store bought variety, mix 1 ⁄ 2 c (120 mL) with your detergent, and wash your clothes in warm water.
- Read the list of suggested fabric on your laundry booster before you use it to wash delicate clothing. Most can be used on delicates, cottons, polyester, and wool.
- Do not use laundry booster to wash your leather clothing.
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Try using a scented laundry detergent to mask the smell. While this may not remove the smell, it may make the perfume smell less noticeable. Use a scented detergent like lavender or a tropical blend to mask the smell. Check the garment tag of your individual items to determine the best water temperature and amount of detergent. [5] X Research source
- If you are washing a small load of laundry, use half of a cap full of detergent.
- Many detergents are scented with plant-based aromas that work well to cover up the smell.
- If you are sensitive to chemicals, this may not be the best suggestion for you. [6]
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Expert Source
Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert Expert Interview. 8 November 2019. - If an item is hand-wash only, do not put it in the washing machine. Instead, wash your garment by hand using 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 mL) of scented detergent.
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Hang your clothing outside for several hours to air it out. Fresh air is a great way to get rid of smells trapped in your clothes. Pick a breezy spot outside in bright sunlight, and hang your clothing from a clothing line if possible. Leave your garment outside for 12 or more hours for best results.
- If you don’t have a clothing line, drape your garment over an outdoor banister. You can also place it on a hanger and hang it from a deck or fence.
- In addition, if you place your clothing near leafy, green plants, they may help absorb some of the chemicals.
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Apply a paste of baking soda and water to clean particular spots. Baking soda works well to remove smells from particular spots on your clothing. Mix about 2 tbsp (29.6 g) of baking soda with a few drops of water until you have a smooth paste. Apply the paste to any smelly spot using a spoon, and let the baking soda dry completely for about 5 minutes. Then, remove away the baking soda with a stiff brush. [7] X Research source
- Alternatively, put your garment in a plastic garbage bag, and pour in half a cup (118.3 g) of baking soda. Then, shake the bag thoroughly and let the garment sit for 10 minutes. Take your garment out of the bag and shake off any baking soda.
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Scrub the smelly spot with diluted lemon juice if cleaning light clothing. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle, and apply it to your clothing. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the areas, and hang your garment to dry. Then, check the smell. If the smell is gone, rinse out the lemon juice.
- If the garment still smells like perfume, try applying more lemon juice.
- Avoid this method if your clothing is brightly colored. The lemon juice may lighten the overall color of your garment.
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Place the item inside a bag with coffee to remove the overall smell. Coffee grounds are known to absorb unpleasant odors. To use, place your garment inside of a large brown paper bag, and pour in about 1 cup (236.6 g) of ground up coffee beans. Let the garment sit in the bag overnight. Then, take it out of the bag and shake off the ground.
- Your clothing may smell perfume-free after you take it out of the bag.
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Spray diluted vodka on your clothing to remove the overpowering odor. Use a bottle of inexpensive, high-proof vodka. Pour the vodka into a spray bottle so it is about two thirds of the way full, and fill up the rest with water from your faucet. Then, spray the mixture liberally over any smelly spot. Let the vodka sit on your garment for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it with cool water.
- Vodka may effectively kill bacteria and remove the perfume smell.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionNothing seems to be working to get the smell out. What else can I do?Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification.You can submerge clothes in a pre-soak of warm water and baking soda overnight for stubborn odors. Then, wash them using unscented laundry detergent the following day.
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QuestionDoes washing soda remove odors?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerWashing soda, or sodium carbonate, is great for breaking up set-in stains and dirt. It can also help get rid of stubborn odors. While it’s not exactly the same thing as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), both of these compounds can be effective odor busters.
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QuestionHow do you get the smell of Downy out of clothes?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerTry running them through the wash with a scent-free detergent and half a cup of baking soda. It may also help to soak them in water mixed with a little lemon juice or vinegar before putting them in the wash.
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Things You’ll Need
Washing Your Clothing
- Castile soap
- Water
- Washing machine
- Laundry detergent
- Laundry booster
- Vinegar
Using Household Items
- Fresh air
- Baking soda
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Coffee grounds
- Brown paper bag
- Vodka
- Spray bottle
- Soft-bristled brush
Tips
- Synthetic materials tend to hold onto perfume smells more than natural fibers like cotton or wool.Thanks
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Warnings
- If your item is dry-clean only, it is best to take it to a professional cleaner. That way, you do not damage your garment.Thanks
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References
- ↑ Susan Stocker. Green Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.getgreenbewell.com/how-to-get-the-smell-out-of-thrift-store-clothes/
- ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.
- ↑ http://www.howtocleananything.com/home-interior-tips/laundry-boosters/
- ↑ https://www.getgreenbewell.com/how-to-get-the-smell-out-of-thrift-store-clothes/
- ↑ Susan Stocker. Green Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.getgreenbewell.com/how-to-get-the-smell-out-of-thrift-store-clothes/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to remove excessive odors from your clothing, try using some household cleaners to get them smelling fresh again. Just add 1 cup of white vinegar to your normal wash cycle before you set it going. Once the wash is finished, hang your clothes outside for 1-2 hours to get some fresh air. Alternatively, use coffee grounds to remove the smell. Place your item of clothing in a paper bag with a cup of grounds overnight, then wash off the grounds the next day. You can also spray diluted vodka onto any clothes that smell. Simply fill a spray bottle 2 thirds full with vodka and top it up with water. Spray it onto the affected areas, then rinse it off after 5 minutes with cool water. For tips on how to use coffee grounds to remove smells from clothing, keep reading!
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