How to Remove Perfume Smell from Clothes

Have you ever accidentally sprayed too much perfume on your favorite shirt? Or maybe you bought a piece of clothing that smells strongly of someone else’s scent? It can be really frustrating when clothes hold onto a strong perfume smell. You want your clothes to smell fresh and clean, not like a perfume bottle exploded on them.

The good news is that you don’t have to throw away those clothes. Most of the time, you can get rid of that stubborn perfume smell with some simple methods. It just takes a little patience and the right approach. We’re here to show you exactly how to do it.

This guide will walk you through easy steps to make your clothes smell fresh again. We’ll cover what you’ll need, how to do it, and some extra tips to make sure you get the best results. Let’s get started and get those clothes smelling great!

What You Need to Know

Before we dive into the steps, it’s good to understand a few things about perfume and clothes. Perfume is made of oils and chemicals that can cling to fabric fibers. This is why the smell can be so hard to get out with just a regular wash. Different fabrics also hold onto smells differently. Natural fibers like cotton and linen tend to release smells more easily than synthetic ones like polyester or rayon.

The older the perfume smell is, the harder it might be to remove. Fresh smells are usually easier to tackle. Also, direct application of perfume leaves a stronger, more concentrated smell than just catching a bit of scent from someone else. You might need to repeat some steps for very strong or old smells. Patience is key! Don’t get discouraged if the smell doesn’t vanish after the first try.

Always check the care label on your clothing before trying any method. Some delicate fabrics might need special care. For example, silk or wool might not do well with harsh chemicals or very hot water. When in doubt, start with the gentlest method first.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how you can tackle that perfume smell. We’ll start with the easiest methods and move to more intensive ones.

Step 1: Air It Out

This is the simplest and often the first step you should try. Sometimes, all a garment needs is some fresh air.

• How to do it: Hang the smelly item outdoors on a clothesline or indoors near an open window. Make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight if the fabric is prone to fading.
• Duration: Let it air out for at least 24 to 48 hours. The longer, the better.
• Why it works: Fresh air helps to dissipate the perfume molecules from the fabric fibers. Wind can also help carry away the scent.
• When to use: This is great for mild smells or as a first attempt before trying anything else.

Step 2: Wash with Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer. It’s excellent at absorbing smells without harsh chemicals.

• What you need: Baking soda, washing machine, regular laundry detergent.
• How to do it (Machine Wash):
  1. Place the smelly garment in your washing machine.
  2. Add your regular laundry detergent.
  3. Add about ½ to 1 cup of baking soda directly into the washing machine drum with the clothes. For very strong smells, you can add more.
  4. Wash the item on the hottest water setting safe for the fabric (check care label!). Hot water helps to release oils and scents.
  5. Run a complete wash cycle.
  6. After the wash, sniff the item. If the smell is still there, do not dry it. Repeat the wash cycle with baking soda.
• How to do it (Hand Wash/Soak):
  1. Fill a basin or tub with warm water.
  2. Add about ½ to 1 cup of baking soda to the water and stir until dissolved.
  3. Submerge the smelly garment in the baking soda solution.
  4. Let it soak for several hours, or even overnight, for very strong smells.
  5. After soaking, wash the item as usual with laundry detergent.
• Why it works: Baking soda neutralizes acidic and alkaline odor molecules, effectively absorbing and eliminating the perfume smell.

Step 3: Use White Vinegar

White vinegar is another powerful natural deodorizer and can break down perfume oils.

• What you need: White vinegar, washing machine, regular laundry detergent.
• How to do it (Machine Wash):
  1. Place the smelly garment in your washing machine.
  2. Add your regular laundry detergent as usual.
  3. Instead of fabric softener, add ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. If your machine doesn’t have one, you can add it directly to the wash water during the rinse cycle.
  4. Wash the item on the hottest water setting safe for the fabric.
  5. Run a complete wash cycle.
  6. The vinegar smell usually disappears once the item is dry. If not, air it out.
• How to do it (Soak):
  1. Fill a basin or tub with warm water.
  2. Add 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water (e.g., 1 cup vinegar to 4 cups water).
  3. Submerge the smelly garment in the vinegar solution.
  4. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour. For very strong smells, you can soak it for a few hours.
  5. After soaking, wash the item as usual with laundry detergent.
• Why it works: Vinegar is acidic and helps to break down the chemical bonds of the perfume oils, making them easier to wash away.

Step 4: Combine Baking Soda and Vinegar

For really stubborn smells, combining these two powerhouses can be very effective.

• What you need: Baking soda, white vinegar, washing machine, regular laundry detergent.
• How to do it (Machine Wash):
  1. Place the smelly garment in your washing machine.
  2. Add ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drum with the clothes.
  3. Add your regular laundry detergent.
  4. Add ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser (or directly to the rinse cycle).
  5. Wash on the hottest water setting safe for the fabric.
  6. Run the full cycle.
• How to do it (Pre-soak with Baking Soda, then wash with Vinegar):
  1. Pre-soak the garment in a baking soda solution (as described in Step 2) for several hours or overnight.
  2. Drain the water.
  3. Transfer the garment to the washing machine.
  4. Wash with regular detergent and add white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser (as described in Step 3).
• Why it works: You get the odor-absorbing power of baking soda and the oil-breaking power of vinegar working together.

Step 5: Try Activated Charcoal or Coffee Grounds (Dry Method)

These are great for items you can’t easily wash or for very delicate items.

• What you need: Activated charcoal (odor adsorbers), fresh coffee grounds (unused), pillowcase or breathable bag.
• How to do it:
  1. Place the smelly garment in a large, sealable plastic bag or a pillowcase.
  2. Place a small bowl or sachet of activated charcoal or unused coffee grounds inside the bag with the clothes. Make sure the charcoal/coffee grounds don’t directly touch the fabric, as they can stain. You can put them in a small, breathable bag (like a nylon stocking or thin cloth bag) first.
  3. Seal the bag tightly.
  4. Leave the item in the bag for several days (3-7 days) or even longer for very strong smells.
• Why it works: Activated charcoal and coffee grounds are highly porous and excellent at absorbing odors from the air around them. They pull the perfume molecules out of the fabric.
• When to use: Ideal for dry-clean-only items, delicate fabrics, or items that might shrink or get damaged by water.

Step 6: Use a Commercial Odor Eliminator

If natural methods aren’t enough, there are products designed specifically to tackle tough odors.

• What you need: Commercial odor eliminator spray (like Febreze Odor Eliminator or specific laundry odor removers), or a laundry additive.
• How to do it (Spray):
  1. Hang the garment in a well-ventilated area.
  2. Lightly spray the odor eliminator over the entire garment, focusing on the areas where the smell is strongest.
  3. Allow the garment to air dry completely.
  4. Repeat if necessary.
• How to do it (Laundry Additive):
  1. Add the recommended amount of the odor eliminator laundry additive to your wash cycle along with your regular detergent.
  2. Wash the item on the appropriate setting.
• Why it works: These products contain chemicals that neutralize or encapsulate odor molecules.
• Important: Always follow the instructions on the product label carefully. Test on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t stain or damage the fabric.

Tips and Best Practices

• Act Fast: The sooner you try to remove the perfume smell, the easier it will be. Fresh smells are less embedded in the fabric.
• Don’t Dry Until Smell is Gone: Heat from a dryer can “bake in” the perfume smell, making it much harder to remove later. Always air dry or re-wash the item if the smell persists after washing.
• Wash Smelly Items Separately: Don’t wash perfume-smelling clothes with other clean laundry. The smell can transfer to other garments.
• Use Hot Water (if safe): Hot water helps to loosen and dissolve perfume oils more effectively than cold water. Always check your garment’s care tag first.
• Inside Out: When machine washing, turn the item inside out. This can sometimes help to expose more surface area to water and detergent.
• Sunlight is Your Friend: If the fabric allows, hanging clothes in direct sunlight can help to air them out and the UV rays can have a deodorizing effect. Be careful with colors that might fade.
• Clean Your Washing Machine: If you frequently wash smelly items, consider running a cleaning cycle on your washing machine to prevent odors from building up in the machine itself.
• Storage Matters: Once the smell is gone, store your clothes in a clean, well-ventilated closet or drawer. Avoid storing them near perfumed items or mothballs if you want to keep them smelling fresh.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Drying too Soon: This is the biggest mistake. If you dry a garment that still smells of perfume, the heat will set the odor into the fibers, making it extremely difficult to remove later.
• Using Too Much Perfume/Scented Products: If you’re sensitive to smells, be mindful of how much perfume you wear and consider using unscented laundry detergents and fabric softeners.
• Ignoring Care Labels: Not checking the care label can lead to damaging your clothes. Hot water or certain chemicals might be fine for cotton but ruin silk or wool.
• Overloading the Washing Machine: Give your clothes enough space in the washing machine for water and detergent to circulate properly. An overloaded machine won’t clean effectively.
• Mixing Methods Recklessly: While combining baking soda and vinegar is fine, don’t mix random household chemicals without knowing their reactions. Stick to proven methods.
• Giving Up Too Quickly: Stubborn smells might require multiple treatments. Be patient and repeat steps if necessary.

Conclusion

Getting perfume smell out of clothes can seem like a challenge, but with the right techniques, it’s definitely doable. Remember to start with the gentlest methods like airing out, and then move on to baking soda, vinegar, or a combination of both. Always check your garment’s care label, and most importantly, never dry an item until the smell is completely gone.

With a little persistence, your clothes will be fresh and scent-free again. No more walking around smelling like someone else’s signature scent! Enjoy your clean, fresh-smelling wardrobe.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use essential oils to cover up the smell? A1: It’s not recommended. Essential oils can add another scent layer and might not truly remove the perfume smell. They can also leave oil stains on your clothes. It’s better to remove the existing smell rather than trying to mask it.

Q2: Will dry cleaning remove perfume smell? A2: Sometimes. Dry cleaning uses different solvents than water, which can be effective for some types of perfume oils. However, it’s not guaranteed. If you’re taking an item to the dry cleaner, specifically mention that you want the perfume smell removed.

Q3: Is it safe to use white vinegar on all fabrics? A3: White vinegar is generally safe for most washable fabrics, including cotton, synthetics, and blends. However, for very delicate fabrics like silk, rayon, or acetate, do a spot test first on an inconspicuous area, or opt for dry methods like activated charcoal.

Q4: How many times might I need to wash an item to remove a strong perfume smell? A4: For a very strong or old perfume smell, you might need to wash the item 2-3 times, or even more, repeating the steps with baking soda and/or vinegar. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work on the first try. Always air dry and re-sniff before drying with heat.

Q5: Can I prevent perfume smell from getting on my clothes in the first place? A5: Yes! Apply perfume to your skin before getting dressed. Let it dry completely. Avoid spraying perfume directly onto clothes. If you’re sensitive to scents, choose unscented laundry products. When trying on clothes in stores, avoid ones that have a strong perfume smell already.