Whether you’ve spent the day fishing, cooked a seafood feast, or had an unfortunate spill, fish smells on clothes can be tough to get rid of.
The strong, lingering odor of fish can cling to fabric, making it hard to wash out with just regular detergent. But don’t worry—if you’re wondering how to remove fish smell from clothes, several tried-and-true methods can help freshen up your wardrobe and leave it smelling clean again.
Why Does Fish Smell Linger in Clothes?
Fish odors are notoriously strong because they contain compounds like amines and trimethylamine, which can cling to fabrics and release a potent smell even after washing.
When fish oils or juices get onto clothing, they can bind to the fibers, making it difficult to remove the smell with standard detergent. If not treated properly, the smell may linger for days, leaving your clothes with an unpleasant, fishy odor.
Fortunately, there are effective methods to tackle the problem head-on and neutralize the odor.
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Step-by-Step Process to Remove Fish Smell from Clothes
To remove fish smell from clothes, start by soaking them in a mixture of vinegar and water, then wash with a detergent and baking soda to neutralize the odor. For more stubborn smells, add lemon juice or use an enzyme cleaner. Proper washing and natural deodorizing methods will help remove the odor completely.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you remove the fish smell from your clothes and keep them smelling fresh.
Step 1: Pre-Soak the Clothes in Vinegar and Water
Before washing the clothes, it’s a good idea to pre-soak them to loosen up any fish oils and neutralize the smell.
- Mix a vinegar solution: Fill a basin or sink with cold water and add one cup of white vinegar. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and works well to break down odor-causing compounds.
- Soak the clothes: Submerge the fishy-smelling clothes in the vinegar solution, making sure the fabric is fully saturated. Let the clothes soak for 30 minutes to an hour to help loosen the odor from the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly: After soaking, rinse the clothes with cool water to remove the vinegar and any loosened oils. This will prep the fabric for washing.
Soaking in vinegar is a great first step to tackle fish smells before putting the clothes through a full wash.
Step 2: Wash the Clothes with Baking Soda and Detergent
Baking soda is a powerful odor-neutralizer and works well to eliminate stubborn fish smells from clothes when combined with detergent.
- Add baking soda to the wash: When you’re ready to wash the clothes, add half a cup of baking soda to the washing machine along with your regular detergent. Baking soda helps break down odors while also acting as a natural fabric softener.
- Use a cold or warm water cycle: Set your washing machine to a cold or warm water cycle (depending on the fabric care instructions). Hot water can sometimes set odors into fabrics, so it’s better to avoid high heat.
- Choose a long wash cycle: For best results, use a longer wash cycle to ensure the clothes have plenty of time to absorb the baking soda and detergent, which helps neutralize the fish smell.
- Check before drying: After the wash cycle is complete, check your clothes to see if the smell is gone. If any fish odor remains, avoid drying them and instead repeat the washing process or use additional deodorizing methods.
Pro Tip: For particularly strong smells, you can add a bit more baking soda or an extra rinse cycle to ensure all traces of the fish smell are removed.
Step 3: Use Lemon Juice for Extra Freshness
Lemon juice is another natural deodorizer that can help neutralize strong odors and leave your clothes smelling fresh.
- Add lemon juice to the wash: You can add a quarter to half a cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. The acidity of lemon juice helps cut through stubborn odors and leaves a fresh, clean scent.
- Hand-wash with lemon juice for delicate fabrics: For delicate fabrics like silk or wool, consider hand-washing the garment with a mixture of lemon juice and water to remove the fish smell without damaging the fabric.
Lemon juice not only helps eliminate odors but also gives your clothes a refreshing citrus scent.
Step 4: Use an Enzyme Cleaner for Tough Odors
If the fish smell is particularly strong or has been sitting in your clothes for a while, an enzyme-based cleaner can help break down the proteins in fish oil that cause the odor.
- Apply an enzyme cleaner: Use an enzyme cleaner designed for pet stains or protein-based odors. These cleaners contain enzymes that actively break down the molecules responsible for the fishy smell.
- Let it sit: Apply the cleaner to the affected areas of the clothes and let it sit for 15–30 minutes before washing. This will give the enzymes time to work and neutralize the fishy odor.
- Wash as usual: After treating the clothes with the enzyme cleaner, wash them in cold water with your regular detergent.
Enzyme cleaners are particularly useful for fabrics that have absorbed the fish smell deeply, and they work well on tougher stains and odors.
Step 5: Air-Dry the Clothes Outdoors
After washing your clothes, it’s important to let them dry thoroughly to ensure the smell is fully removed. Air-drying outside is one of the best ways to freshen up your clothes.
- Hang the clothes outdoors: If possible, hang the clothes outside in a well-ventilated area to air-dry. Fresh air and sunlight help neutralize any lingering odors and prevent the fish smell from being trapped in the fabric.
- Avoid the dryer (for strong smells): If the fish smell hasn’t been completely eliminated, avoid using the dryer, as heat can set the odor into the fabric, making it harder to remove.
- Sunlight helps disinfect: Sunlight is a natural disinfectant, so hanging your clothes in the sun can also help eliminate any remaining bacteria or odors.
Air-drying outdoors is a great way to finish the deodorizing process and ensure your clothes smell fresh again.
Step 6: Use Odor Absorbers for Persistent Smells
For more persistent smells, you can use natural odor absorbers like baking soda or activated charcoal to help remove any remaining fish odor.
- Store clothes with baking soda: After washing and drying, store the clothes in a sealed bag with a small container of baking soda for a few days. Baking soda will continue to absorb any remaining odors.
- Try activated charcoal: Activated charcoal is another great option for absorbing odors. Place the charcoal in a breathable bag and store it with the clothes to eliminate any lingering fish smells.
Both baking soda and activated charcoal work well for neutralizing odors over time, especially if the smell is still faint after washing.
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Step 7: Prevent Future Fish Smells
Now that you’ve successfully removed the fish smell from your clothes, here are a few tips to prevent future odors:
Wear Protective Layers:
- Use aprons or protective clothing: If you’re handling fish or cooking seafood, consider wearing an apron or protective outer layer to keep fish odors from clinging to your clothes.
Store Fish Properly:
- Use sealed containers: When transporting fish, make sure it’s stored in airtight containers to prevent spills and leaks onto your clothes.
Clean Spills Immediately:
- Act fast: If fish oil or juices get on your clothes, rinse the affected area immediately with cold water and follow up with a vinegar soak or enzyme cleaner.
Taking these preventive steps can help you avoid dealing with stubborn fish smells in the future.
Final Words
Getting rid of fish smells from your clothes doesn’t have to be a frustrating task. With the right cleaning techniques—such as soaking in vinegar, washing with baking soda, and using natural deodorizing agents like lemon juice—you can effectively eliminate even the most stubborn fish odors. For tougher smells, enzyme cleaners and air-drying in fresh air will ensure your clothes come out smelling fresh and clean.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep your wardrobe fresh, even after a day of fishing or preparing seafood. With a little care and the right methods, you can remove fish smells from clothes and enjoy a fresh, clean scent once again!
