If you’re a perfume lover, you know how great it feels to wear your favorite scent. However, sometimes the perfume can linger on your clothes long after you’ve stopped wearing it. This can be particularly frustrating if you want to wear a different fragrance, or if you simply don’t want to smell like perfume anymore. In this article, we’ll explore some tips for getting perfume smell out of clothes.
Why do clothes absorb perfume smells?
Perfumes contain essential oils, alcohol, and other chemical compounds that evaporate into the air, creating a scent that can linger on clothes. When you spray perfume on your skin or clothes, the fragrance molecules can attach to the fabric fibers and stay there for hours, days, or even weeks if not properly removed.
Immediate actions to take to remove perfume smells from clothes:
- Air out your clothes: Hang your clothes outside or in a well-ventilated area to allow fresh air to circulate and remove some of the perfume scent.
- Blot the area: If the perfume smell is localized, use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the area and absorb excess perfume.
- Rinse with cold water: Rinse the affected area with cold water, then wring out excess water and air dry.
- Apply baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, let it sit for 30 minutes, then brush or shake off the powder and air dry.
Home remedies for removing perfume smells from clothes: If the immediate actions don’t fully remove the perfume smell, try using these home remedies to get rid of the scent:
Vinegar: Vinegar is a natural odor-neutralizer that can help break down perfume molecules and remove the scent from your clothes. Here’s how to use vinegar to remove perfume smells:
Step 1: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl or sink.
Step 2: Soak the affected area of your clothes in the solution for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse the clothes with cold water to remove the vinegar smell.
Step 4: Hang the clothes to air dry.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can help break down perfume molecules and remove the scent from your clothes. Here’s how to use lemon juice to remove perfume smells:
Step 1: Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the affected area of your clothes.
Step 2: Let the juice sit for 10-15 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse the clothes with cold water to remove the lemon juice and perfume smell.
Step 4: Hang the clothes to air dry.
You can also add a few drops of lemon essential oil to your washing machine when you wash your clothes.
Vodka: Vodka is a natural odor-neutralizer that can help break down perfume molecules and remove the scent from your clothes. Here’s how to use vodka to remove perfume smells:
Step 1: Pour some vodka into a spray bottle.
Step 2: Spray the affected area of your clothes with the vodka.
Step 3: Let the vodka sit for 15-20 minutes.
Step 4: Hang the clothes to air dry.
If the perfume smell is particularly strong, you can also add a cup of vodka to your washing machine when you wash your clothes.
Charcoal: Activated charcoal is a natural odor-absorber that can help remove perfume smells from your clothes over time. Here’s how to use charcoal to remove perfume smells:
Step 1: Place activated charcoal in a cloth bag or mesh pouch.
Step 2: Hang the bag or pouch near your clothes.
Step 3: Leave the bag or pouch hanging for several days to absorb the perfume scent.
You can also add activated charcoal to your closet or dresser drawers to help keep your clothes smelling fresh.
Overall, home remedies can be an effective and affordable way to remove perfume smells from clothes. However, it’s important to note that some fabrics and dyes may be sensitive to certain ingredients, so always spot test a small area first before applying any of these remedies to your entire garment. Additionally, if the perfume smell is particularly strong or persistent, you may need to use a combination of home remedies and commercial odor-eliminating products to fully remove the scent.
