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This article was co-authored by Ayad Mirjan and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Ayad Mirjan is a Dry Cleaner and Laundry Specialist and the Founder of OrangeBag®, a toxin-free, sustainable, Los Angeles-based laundry and dry cleaning delivery service. Ayad has over four years of experience in the industry and he specializes in providing easy laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to professionals, families, and businesses. Ayad received his Bachelor's degree from The University of California, San Diego, and an MBA from Henley Business School. He is also a board member of the Entrepreneur's Organization Accelerator (EOA).
There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Everyone’s clothes smell funky once in a while, but what are you supposed to do when a pesky odor refuses to go away? Don’t stress—you have more tools at your disposal than you may think. Read on for plenty of handy advice to get your garments smelling fresh and clean again. In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to tackle all kinds of odors, from sweat and vomit to perfume and gasoline.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you deodorize clothes quickly?
Susan StockerSusan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
Professional CleanerWash them by hand or in the washing machine and throw in a cup of white vinegar. That will usually wipe out any obnoxious odors. The other really important thing is that you should wash your clothes after every time you wear them to keep odors from building up. Think about it like a stove. If you wipe your stove down every time you cook, it's never going to develop a thick layer of grease. It's the same thing with your clothes. -
QuestionWhat's the best way to eliminate a urine smell in clothes?
Janice TiepermanCommunity AnswerDissolve some baking soda in a large container or tub of warm water. Then, soak the smelly clothes in the mixture for around 15 minutes. Transfer the soaked garments to your washer and start a cycle right away. -
QuestionDo these solutions work for brand new t-shirts ordered online that are not cheap, yet smell awful?
Janice TiepermanCommunity AnswerThey definitely should! Baking soda and white vinegar in particular are great deodorizers, and should get rid of any bad smells right away.
Tips
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Use a little less fabric softener, especially when you’re washing your sweaty clothes. The extra build-up from the softener can trap unpleasant odors in your clothing.[22]Thanks
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Try switching to cotton underwear instead of wearing something synthetic, like polyester or spandex. Synthetic materials will collect plenty of different odors, while breathable cotton won’t.[23]Thanks
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You can use baking soda and vinegar to clean a smelly washing machine.Thanks
Warnings
- Don’t add any white vinegar to a load of laundry that you’re cleaning with chlorine bleach. When mixed together, vinegar and bleach create toxic fumes.[24]Thanks
References
- ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 September 2022.
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/smarter-living/how-to-clean-your-gross-workout-gear.html
- ↑ https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/why-do-feet-smell-how-to-deodorize-shoes-and-socks.
- ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 September 2022.
- ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/health/news/a41970/heres-why-your-black-leggings-might-smell/
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/whiten-brighten-laundry/
- ↑ Ayad Mirjan. Dry Cleaner & Laundry Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 September 2022.
- ↑ https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/smarter-living/how-to-clean-your-gross-workout-gear.html
- ↑ https://silverbobbin.com/how-to-get-perfume-smell-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://silverbobbin.com/how-to-get-gasoline-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://www.thrillist.com/health/nation/why-do-feet-smell-how-to-deodorize-shoes-and-socks
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/stop-using-so-much-laundry-detergent/
- ↑ https://silverbobbin.com/how-to-get-perfume-smell-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/one-good-thing-how-to-remove-odors-from-clothes-with-vodka-of-all-things-36952088
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-smelly-shoes/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-sure-fire-ways-you-can-avoid-stinky-feet/
- ↑ https://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/how-to-stop-your-clothes-hair-from-smelling-like-food
- ↑ https://silverbobbin.com/how-to-get-perfume-smell-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/sanitation-and-illness/norovirus-step-step-clean-vomit-and-diarrhea#clothing-and-linens-3059212
- ↑ https://silverbobbin.com/how-to-get-gasoline-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/smarter-living/how-to-clean-your-gross-workout-gear.html
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/vaginal-odor
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/how-to-get-grass-stains-out/
About This Article
To deodorize clothing, try adding a cup of baking soda to your laundry. You could also add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to your laundry prior to the rinse cycle. If you'd like a spray-on deodorizer instead, combine 1 part vodka with 1 part water in a spray bottle, and spray it on affected areas. Once you've removed the unwanted odor, try freshening up your clothes by applying a solution made up of 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of water, and 1/2 of a teaspoon of your favorite essential oil. For tips on how to use specialty detergents to remove odors, keep reading!
