How to Get Perfume Smell Out of Clothes? A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever noticed that your clothes retain the smell of your perfume even after doing the laundry? While your favorite perfume brand with a pleasing scent can leave a lasting impression, the strong smell that lingers on your clothes for too long can become overwhelming. According to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), some perfumes are made with preservatives and other additives like alcohol and petroleum chemicals that help the scent last longer, making them harder to remove from fabrics. But don’t worry! You can easily get that annoying odor out of your clothes in the right direction. This guide will show you how to remove perfume smell from your clothes and make them smell clean and neutral again.

How to Remove Excessive Perfume Odor from Clothes

Here are a few tips to remove the perfume smell from your clothes.

Air and Sunlight Exposure

Air and sunlight are the easiest and most effective methods for removing excessive perfume odor from clothes.

• Step 1: Start by hanging your clothes in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.
• Step 2: The clothes should be left as they are for at least a day, after which the garment can be removed.
• Step 3: If possible, rotate the garment occasionally to ensure even exposure to air and sunlight on all sides.

Tips: Place the garment in direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays accelerate the process of breakdown and quickly neutralize the perfume’s odor-causing compounds. However, be careful with delicate or dark-colored fabrics, as they tend to fade away with extended exposure to the sun.

Baking Soda Method

Another easy method for neutralizing perfume smells from clothes is baking soda. According to the American Chemical Society (ACS), baking soda works as a deodorizer by neutralizing other chemicals.

• Step 1: Simply sprinkle a generous amount of soda over the affected areas of the fabric, in this case, the areas that have been soaked with perfume.
• Step 2: Leave the baking soda on the garment for a couple of hours or overnight so that it can effectively absorb the odor.
• Step 3: Lastly, shake off or brush off the baking soda powder.

With this method, the clothes will again start smelling fresh.

Alcohol Spray

Another equally effective procedure for getting rid of excessive perfume in your clothing is using an alcohol spray. Alcohol acts as a solvent, helping to dissolve the components that cause the perfume’s awful smell.

• Step 1: First, prepare a mix of equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle.
• Step 2: Lightly spray the solution on the places of the garment where you feel the perfume is the most concentrated.
• Step 3: Allow the garment and other fabrics that were treated with this solution to dry completely.

This is a fast and efficient approach, particularly when it comes to localizing the treatment on the piece of fabric.

Wash with Vinegar solution.

If clothes still have faint traces of perfume, washing them with a vinegar solution can help solve the problem efficiently. Since vinegar is also a deodorizer, it can help break down the perfume molecules that are still left on the fabric.

• Step 1: Pour up to half an ounce of white vinegar into a washing machine during the rinse phase.
• Step 2: Follow the washing routine as you would normally do while adhering to the washing instructions on the clothing tag.

Tip: Sometimes, the odor does not go away altogether, so you can soak the article in a vinegar solution prior to washing.

How To Deep Clean the Perfume Smell Out of Clothes?

Although one would like the perfume to stay longer and their body to smell good. But when the smell doesn’t go away the next time you wear clothes, it feels annoying. The following tips for deep cleaning can remove any perfume smell from clothes.

Soak the Clothes before Washing

Before tackling the perfume smell, soak the clothes in a solution of white vinegar and water. Vinegar controls the sour smell. Fill a basin with enough water to cover the clothes and pour a cup of white vinegar. Immerse the clothes for about half to one hour. This method gets rid of residue chemicals from the perfume, making it possible to remove them more effectively when doing the laundry.

Castile Soap Laundry Solution

Castile soap proves to be extremely useful for strong odors. Mix a few tablespoons of liquid castile soap with water in a washing machine or basin for pre-soaking. Do the wash normally, but rinse all the soap off to avoid any soap scent on the clothes after wear.

Enzyme-Based Cleaners

Enzyme-based cleaners eliminate organic substances, including those present in perfumes. Look for a cleaner labeled enzyme-based and add it to your washing machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. These cleaners target and dissolve the molecules causing the odor, effectively removing them from your clothes. This method is especially useful for stubborn smells where other treatments fail.

Washing with Laundry Boosters

Laundry detergents combat many odors on their own but boosters like baking soda or oxygen bleach enhance your detergent’s effectiveness in eliminating odors. Put half a cup of baking soda or a scoop of oxygen bleach into your regular detergent during the wash cycle. Such boosters are very effective in deodorization as well since they tend to soak up all residual odors, especially perfume, thus keeping the clothes free of any smell. If you are adding these boosters, check the care labels on your clothes to ensure they are compatible with these boosters.

Natural Remedies for Removing Perfume Smell

Lemon and Water Solution

The simplest method of removing the smells of perfumes or other scents is to mix lemon juice with water. Take lemon juice and mix it with a cup of water before applying it to the areas of the clothes that have been soaked with perfume. After waiting for 15-30 minutes, rinse the fabric or wash it normally.

Essential Oils and Vinegar Mix

Essential oils combined with white vinegar make an excellent deodorizer. Essential oils bring in a pleasant scent, while vinegar fights bad odor.

In a spray bottle, combine a cup of white vinegar with a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil. Spray this on the areas with the perfume scents and leave for 20 minutes. Then, simply rinse or wash.

Professional Methods for Removing Perfume Smell

If the smell persists for a longer time, then go for professional methods for odor removal.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning is the most useful professional method for persistent perfume smells from delicate or structured fabrics. The dry cleaning solvent breaks down and dissolves the fragrance oils and other chemicals responsible for the smell.

It is best for items labeled as “do not wash” or “dry clean only” or clothes that water can damage.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning is another professional method that uses high-temperature steam to remove odors, including perfume smells. The steam penetrates the fabric, loosening and lifting the scent molecules. This method is suitable for many fabrics and can be used on items that are difficult to wash.

Tips for Preventing Perfume Smell on Clothes

You can take the following precautions to prevent perfume smell from residing on your clothes.

1. Avoid applying perfume directly to clothes; instead, apply it to pulse points like wrists, neck, and behind the ears.
2. Instead of heavily applying the perfume, use a light application to minimize the chances of the perfume smell staying in your clothes. Also, be careful while opening the perfume bottle to avoid any spills.
3. Let perfume dry completely on your skin before dressing to minimize transfer to clothes.
4. Opt for unscented or fragrance-free laundry detergents to avoid adding more smells to your clothes.
5. Wash clothes frequently as it prevents the accumulation of any residual perfume smells.

Conclusion

You can remove the smell of perfume from clothes by adopting various approaches rather than just the traditional wash. From natural remedies like lemon and essential oils to professional techniques such as dry cleaning and steam cleaning, you have numerous options to restore freshness to your garments.

Preventive measures, such as careful perfume application, can also help minimize future issues. Choosing the right approach for your specific needs ensures your clothes remain free from unwanted odors and stay fresh.

FAQs

How to Take the Smell Out Of Clothes Without Washing?

To remove smells without washing, use a fabric spray with vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils, or hang clothes in a well-ventilated area or outdoors to air out.

Can I use regular laundry detergent to remove perfume smells?

Yes, you can use regular laundry detergent, but adding laundry boosters like baking soda or oxygen bleach can enhance odor removal and help eliminate persistent scents.

How to Get Rid Of Cologne Smell?

To eliminate the cologne smell, you can use white vinegar or baking soda. Moreover, activated charcoal is really effective at absorbing odors. For quick results, hang the item in a well-ventilated space or outside to allow fresh air to dissipate the smell.