How to Get Perfume Smell Out of Clothes: 5 Powerful and Easy Methods

How to Get Perfume Smell Out of Clothes

Perfume can be a wonderful addition to your outfit, but sometimes it lingers far longer than you’d like. Whether you’ve over-sprayed, or the scent has clung to your clothes after a night out, figuring out how to get the perfume smell out of clothes can be frustrating. But don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! This post will walk you through various methods to help remove even the strongest perfume odors.

How to Get Perfume Smell Out of Clothes (Short Answer)

How to get perfume smell out of clothes? Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, spritz the solution onto the fabric, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then launder as usual. If you need more details and other methods, keep reading below!

Why Perfume Smell Lingers

Perfume contains oils and alcohol, both of which are designed to cling to fabrics, making it difficult to wash away with just water. The oils, in particular, bond with fibers in your clothing, which is why certain smells stick around for so long.

Simple Solutions to Get Perfume Smell Out of Clothes

1. White Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is one of the most effective and natural solutions for neutralizing strong odors, including perfume. Here’s how it works in more detail:

• Mix a solution: Combine equal parts white vinegar and cold water in a spray bottle. Cold water is preferred to avoid any fabric damage, and the vinegar’s natural acidity will help break down the perfume oils that have embedded into the fabric.
• Apply to clothes: Spray the solution directly onto the area where the perfume smell is strongest. You want the fabric to be damp, but not soaking wet. If you over-saturate the fabric, it may take longer to dry and could cause unwanted water spots, depending on the material.
• Let it sit: After spraying, let the mixture sit on the fabric for 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, the vinegar will actively break down and neutralize the perfume oils that are causing the lingering scent. The longer it sits, the more effective it is at neutralizing the odor.
• Launder as usual: Wash your clothing as you normally would, using your favorite detergent. Vinegar is gentle, so it won’t damage your clothes or leave a strong smell after washing. Air-drying your clothes is the best option because high heat from the dryer might lock in any remaining odors.

Vinegar’s natural acidity is the key here—it neutralizes the alkaline compounds in the perfume, effectively breaking down the oils without harming the fabric.

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2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a well-known odor absorber and works wonders on strong, lingering smells like perfume. Here’s a deeper dive into the method:

• Prepare the garment: Lay the clothing flat on a surface, ensuring that the affected area is easily accessible. Baking soda works best when it makes direct contact with the smelly area.
• Sprinkle baking soda: Generously sprinkle baking soda over the area where the perfume scent is most concentrated. Don’t be afraid to use a lot of it; the more baking soda, the more odor absorption. You want to create a light dusting over the entire area.
• Let it sit: Allow the baking soda to sit on the fabric for at least 8 hours or overnight. This gives the baking soda enough time to absorb the perfume oils from the fabric. The longer it sits, the better it works.
• Shake it off: In the morning, shake off or brush away the excess baking soda from your clothing. At this point, the baking soda will have absorbed much of the perfume smell. You can do this outside or over a trash bin to avoid a mess indoors.
• Launder as usual: Wash the clothing as you normally would. For stronger smells, you can add a cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine along with your detergent. This boosts the cleaning power and ensures any remaining odors are removed.

Baking soda’s ability to absorb odors comes from its chemical composition, which reacts with the acidic and basic molecules in perfume, neutralizing the smell.

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3. Lemon Juice Spray

Lemon juice, known for its fresh scent and high citric acid content, is a great natural deodorizer. Here’s how to use it effectively:

• Mix a solution: Combine one part lemon juice with two parts water in a spray bottle. The acidity in the lemon juice will help neutralize the perfume oils, while the water helps dilute it so it’s gentle on the fabric.
• Spray the affected area: Lightly mist the fabric, paying close attention to the spots where the perfume smell is strongest. Be careful not to soak the garment, as too much moisture can make it harder to dry.
• Allow it to sit: Leave the lemon juice solution on the fabric for about 15-20 minutes. This gives the citric acid time to neutralize the oils and alcohols from the perfume. The lemon juice also leaves a light, fresh scent in place of the perfume.
• Rinse or wash: After allowing the lemon juice to work its magic, you can either rinse the clothing in cold water or launder it as usual. Cold water is recommended to prevent any potential fabric damage.

Lemon juice not only neutralizes the perfume smell, but it also leaves a refreshing scent behind, which makes it ideal for natural deodorizing.

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4. Vodka Spritz

While it may sound unconventional, vodka is actually an excellent odor neutralizer. It works well on delicate fabrics too. Here’s why and how to use it:

• Prepare a spray bottle: Fill a clean spray bottle with unflavored vodka. Vodka is ideal because it’s a clear, odorless alcohol that evaporates quickly and doesn’t leave behind its own scent.
• Spray the clothes: Lightly mist the area with the perfume smell. Be sure to cover the affected area but avoid oversaturating the fabric. Vodka works by breaking down the compounds in the perfume that are clinging to the fibers.
• Let it air dry: As the vodka evaporates, it will take the perfume scent with it. This is why vodka is great for delicate fabrics that can’t handle frequent washing, like silk or wool.
• Wash as usual: Once the vodka has dried, you can wash your clothing normally if desired. This extra step will ensure that any remaining traces of perfume are completely removed.

Vodka is especially useful because it neutralizes odors without leaving its own smell, making it perfect for fabrics you can’t wash often.

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5. Sun and Fresh Air

This is probably the simplest and most natural method, and it works particularly well for freshening clothes:

• Hang your clothes: Take the smelly garment and hang it outside on a clothesline or drying rack. Choose a spot with plenty of airflow, like a backyard or balcony.
• Let the sun work its magic: The combination of sunlight and fresh air helps naturally break down the chemical compounds in the perfume. Sunlight, especially UV rays, has a natural deodorizing effect on fabric.
• Repeat if necessary: If the perfume smell doesn’t completely dissipate after one round, you can leave the garment outside for a longer period or combine this method with one of the others like baking soda or vinegar.

Fresh air circulates around the fabric, helping to lift and carry away the perfume molecules, while sunlight can help sanitize and refresh clothing naturally.

These methods not only tackle the immediate issue of perfume smells, but they’re also gentle on fabrics and easy to use. Whether you choose a natural solution like vinegar or the power of fresh air, you can rest assured that your clothes will smell fresh again!

How to Get Strong Perfume Smell Out of Clothes

Sometimes, the perfume smell is just too intense for simple methods. Here are a few more heavy-duty techniques you can try.

1. Soaking with Borax

Borax is a versatile cleaner that can handle more stubborn and embedded odors, such as strong perfume smells. It’s often used in laundry for its powerful deodorizing and cleaning properties. Let’s dive into the process:

• Dissolve Borax in water: Fill a large basin, bathtub, or laundry sink with warm water. Borax dissolves more effectively in warm water, which helps release its cleaning power. Add about half a cup of Borax to the water and stir it until fully dissolved. The Borax will create a solution capable of breaking down oils and fragrances that cling to fabric fibers.
• Soak the garment: Submerge the clothing item completely in the Borax solution. Make sure the entire fabric is covered by the water so every part of it can be treated. Let the garment soak for at least an hour, giving the Borax enough time to penetrate deep into the fabric and neutralize the perfume scent. For stronger odors, you can let it soak for longer—up to several hours.
• Launder as usual: After soaking, remove the garment and launder it normally using your preferred detergent. Be sure to dry the clothes in fresh air, as this will further help in dissipating any lingering odors. The Borax solution breaks down perfume oils and neutralizes their scent without causing damage to your clothing.

Borax is particularly effective for strong odors because it’s a natural deodorizer that works on a chemical level to break down and neutralize tough smells, making it ideal for strong perfume fragrances that have deeply penetrated the fabric.

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2. Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is known for its ability to absorb strong odors, including persistent perfume smells. It’s especially useful for fabrics that may be delicate or difficult to wash frequently. Here’s how to use it:

• Seal in a container: Place the smelly clothing in an airtight container, like a large plastic storage bin or a sealable bag. Make sure the container is big enough to allow for airflow around the garment. Then, add a few small bags of activated charcoal to the container. You can either buy small pre-made charcoal odor bags or make your own by wrapping loose activated charcoal in a breathable cloth.
• Leave it for 24 hours: Seal the container tightly and leave the garment inside for a full 24 hours or longer. During this time, the activated charcoal will absorb the perfume smell from the clothing. Charcoal is highly porous, which allows it to attract and trap odor molecules from the air and fabric, effectively neutralizing the strong scent.
• Wash as usual: After 24 hours, remove the garment from the container and wash it as you normally would. The perfume smell should be significantly reduced or completely gone. If the scent is still present, you can repeat the process or try one of the other methods like soaking in Borax or using baking soda.

This method is particularly good for clothing items that you can’t risk damaging with water or chemical treatments, as activated charcoal doesn’t require any direct contact with liquid.

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Preventing Perfume Smells in the Future

It’s one thing to get the perfume smell out of your clothes, but preventing the issue altogether can save you a lot of time and effort. Here are some practical tips to keep your clothes free from overpowering perfume scents:

• Spray perfume sparingly: When applying perfume, remember that less is more. A couple of spritzes on pulse points—such as your wrists, neck, or behind the ears—are enough to carry the scent without overloading your clothing. Spraying directly on clothing leads to fabric absorption, making it harder to remove the scent later.
• Let perfume dry: Before you get dressed, make sure your perfume has dried completely on your skin. Wet perfume can transfer easily to fabrics, especially if your clothing rubs against the application area. Allowing it to dry creates a barrier between the scent and your clothing.
• Choose unscented laundry detergents: Some scented laundry detergents can react with perfume that’s already on your clothes, making the fragrance even stronger. Opting for unscented or fragrance-free detergents will help you avoid amplifying the perfume smell and ensure that your clothes come out of the wash truly fresh.

By following these simple tips, you can reduce the likelihood of strong perfume smells clinging to your clothes in the first place. Prevention makes the whole process much easier to manage!

By using these tips and tricks, you can easily remove perfume smells from your clothes and keep your wardrobe fresh. Don’t let strong fragrances ruin your favorite outfit! Try one of these methods, and you’ll be back to neutral in no time.

This comprehensive guide on how to get perfume smell out of clothes walks you through everything you need to know, from quick fixes to heavy-duty solutions. Whether it’s a light mist or an overpowering cloud of perfume, there’s a method here to help!

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