We’ve all been there: you spray a little too much cologne, or your clothes pick up someone else’s overpowering scent. While a pleasant fragrance can make an outfit feel polished, sometimes cologne clings to fabric longer than we’d like.
Whether the scent is overwhelming, lingering for days, or you just want a neutral-smelling garment, learning how to remove cologne smell from clothes is a useful trick to have in your laundry arsenal.
Why Does Cologne Smell Linger on Clothes?
Cologne, perfume, and other fragrances are designed to last. That’s great when you want to smell nice throughout the day, but not so great when the scent clings to your clothes longer than you intended.
Fragrances contain oils, alcohol, and other fixatives that help them bond to surfaces—including fabrics. Once cologne soaks into clothing fibers, it can be tricky to fully remove, especially from thicker fabrics like wool or denim. Luckily, there are several methods to effectively eliminate the smell.
Step-by-Step Techniques to Remove Cologne Smell from Clothes
To remove cologne smell from clothes, start by airing out the garment, then wash it with a mixture of baking soda and detergent. For stubborn odors, vinegar or lemon juice can help neutralize the fragrance.
Avoid using fabric softeners, as they can trap the scent. So, here’s how you can remove cologne smell from your clothes and freshen up your wardrobe.
Step 1: Air Out the Garment
Before jumping into any washing methods, start by simply airing out the clothing item. Fresh air can do wonders for reducing odors, especially if the cologne smell is still fresh.
- Hang the clothes outside: Place the garment on a hanger and let it air out in a well-ventilated space, preferably outdoors. Sunlight and fresh air help neutralize odors naturally.
- Leave it out for a few hours or overnight: The longer you leave the clothes in fresh air, the better. This method is especially useful for more delicate fabrics or clothes that don’t need a full wash.
If the scent is still noticeable after airing, move on to more intensive odor removal methods.
Step 2: Wash with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a powerful, natural deodorizer that can absorb and neutralize stubborn smells, including cologne. It’s gentle enough for most fabrics and won’t leave any harsh residues.
- Add baking soda to the wash: Fill your washing machine with your usual detergent, then add 1 cup of baking soda directly into the drum or into the detergent compartment. For especially strong odors, you can let the clothes soak in water with baking soda for 30 minutes before starting the wash cycle.
- Wash on a normal cycle: Use a regular wash cycle with cold or warm water, depending on the fabric care instructions. Baking soda works to absorb the cologne smell during the wash.
- Check before drying: After the wash cycle, check the garment to see if the cologne smell is gone. If the scent is still lingering, avoid drying the clothes right away and move on to additional deodorizing steps.
Pro Tip: For extra odor removal, try combining baking soda with a laundry booster like Borax for maximum effectiveness.
Step 3: Use Vinegar to Neutralize the Fragrance
White vinegar is another great natural deodorizer. It works by neutralizing odors instead of masking them, making it ideal for removing cologne smell from clothes.
- Add vinegar to the rinse cycle: Pour ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine. This allows the vinegar to be released during the rinse cycle, helping to remove any lingering fragrance molecules from the fabric.
- Soak the garment in vinegar and water: If the cologne smell is particularly strong, soak the garment in a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water for about 30 minutes before washing.
- Wash as usual: After the vinegar treatment, wash the garment again on a regular cycle with detergent to remove any vinegar smell and thoroughly clean the clothes.
Pro Tip: Don’t worry about your clothes smelling like vinegar—once the fabric dries, the vinegar scent will completely disappear.
Step 4: Try Lemon Juice for a Fresh Smell
Lemon juice is an excellent natural option for tackling stubborn odors, thanks to its acidic properties that help break down and neutralize smells. Plus, it leaves clothes with a fresh, citrusy scent.
- Mix lemon juice with water: Combine ½ cup of lemon juice with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the garment with this mixture, focusing on areas where the cologne smell is the strongest.
- Let the clothes air out: After applying the lemon juice solution, hang the clothes outside or in a well-ventilated space to air dry. The fresh citrus scent will replace the strong cologne smell.
- Follow up with a wash: For even better results, wash the garment with your usual detergent after using the lemon juice solution.
This method is particularly effective for lighter fabrics or clothing that can handle a bit of acidity, like cotton and linen.
Related Post: Powerful Unscented Odor Eliminators You Need in Your Home Today
Step 5: Use Activated Charcoal or Coffee Grounds for Absorbing Odors
If the cologne smell is still lingering after washing, you can use natural odor absorbers like activated charcoal or coffee grounds. These are great for fabrics that you don’t want to wash too frequently, such as wool sweaters or dry-clean-only items.
- Place charcoal or coffee grounds in a breathable bag: Use a small cloth bag or an old sock to contain either activated charcoal or dry coffee grounds.
- Seal the garment and odor absorber in a container: Place the bag inside a large plastic bag or storage container with the garment. Seal it tightly and leave it for 24–48 hours. The charcoal or coffee grounds will absorb the lingering cologne smell.
- Air out afterward: Once you remove the garment, hang it in a well-ventilated space to air out any remaining traces of the smell.
Pro Tip: Avoid letting coffee grounds or charcoal come into direct contact with your clothes, as they can stain.
Step 6: Skip the Fabric Softener
While fabric softeners are great for making clothes feel soft, they aren’t ideal for removing strong odors like cologne. In fact, they can trap fragrances in the fabric and make it even harder to get rid of unwanted smells.
- Avoid using fabric softeners or scented dryer sheets when washing clothes with lingering cologne smell. Instead, stick to vinegar or baking soda for a truly neutral scent.
- Use wool dryer balls: If you want to soften your clothes without adding extra fragrance, use wool dryer balls in the dryer. You can even add a few drops of essential oils to the balls for a light, natural scent.
Step 7: Consider Professional Cleaning for Stubborn Odors
If the cologne smell is still lingering after trying all these methods, or if the fabric is delicate or expensive, it might be time to consider professional cleaning.
- Dry cleaning: For fabrics like silk, wool, or cashmere, take the garment to a professional dry cleaner. They can use specialized cleaning methods to remove stubborn odors without damaging the fabric.
- Professional odor removal treatments: Some dry cleaners offer specific odor removal treatments that can effectively eliminate deep-set fragrances from fabric.
End Note
Getting rid of the strong smell of cologne from your clothes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a few simple household products like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice, you can neutralize even the most persistent fragrances and leave your garments smelling fresh again.
Remember, avoiding fabric softeners and airing out your clothes can go a long way in preventing odors from getting trapped in the first place. And with regular washing and care, you’ll keep your wardrobe smelling exactly how you want it to—clean and fresh!
