This article was co-authored by Elias Weston and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Many people don’t realize that even clear perfumes can stain fabric, as many fragrances are alcohol-based. However, if one of your favorite shirts gets stained, don’t despair. We interviewed cleaning specialist Elias Weston to teach you how to remove perfume and cologne stains from all kinds of fabrics, including clothing, carpeting, and upholstery. Plus, find out how to prevent perfume stains and why perfume may stain in the first place.
Removing Stains from Perfume & Cologne
To remove fragrance stains from washable fabrics, dab them with cold water, then wash the garment as usual. For stubborn stains, try soaking the item in water and baking soda or applying a mix of water, gentle detergent, and vinegar before laundering.
Steps
Removing Perfume & Cologne Stains from Clothes
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Pretreat fresh stains with cold water. In many cases, if the perfume or cologne stain is still fresh, you may be able to lift all or most of it with cold water. Simply dip a clean cloth into the water and gently dab the stain, starting from the center and working your way out. It may help to add a bit of laundry detergent or vinegar to the stain, as well.[1]
- If this step removes the stain, go ahead and launder the garment as usual. If not, continue to the next step.
- This method works best on fabrics like cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, spandex, or wool.
- It’s important to use cold water, as warm water may set the stain further.
- Not all fabrics can get wet. Weston reminds us to “check the manufacturer’s label for specific care instructions because some materials can be treated with water, while others may require special cleaning products.”[2]
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Make a detergent-based cleaning solution for set-in stains. If the stain is set-in, it may require a stronger stain removal method. Mix a solution of 1 quart (0.9 L) water, 1/2 tsp (2.46 ml) of gentle detergent (laundry detergent or dish soap usually works well), and 1 tbsp (14 ml) of white vinegar. Soak the garment in the solution for about 15 minutes, then rinse.[3]
- If the stain remains, sponge on a bit of rubbing alcohol, rinse the garment thoroughly, and then launder.
- Another option is to treat stubborn stains with water and baking soda. Mix 1 part water with 1 part baking soda and allow the fabric to soak for 10-15 minutes. Then, launder as usual.
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Wash the garment as you normally would. After pretreating the stain, go ahead and wash your clothes, following the instructions on their care label. If it’s safe for the fabric, add some chlorine bleach to add in the stain removal.[4] Allow your clothes to air dry unless you’re 100% certain the stain is gone.
- Heat can set stains and make them permanent, which is why it’s best to avoid using the dryer.
- If the stain remains after you wash it, apply some laundry detergent directly to the stain and let it sit for 5 minutes before washing it again.
How to Get Perfume Smell Out of Clothing & Fabric
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Air out the clothes. If possible, hang the clothing or fabric outside in the fresh air. Otherwise, hang it in a warm, sunlit room and turn on a fan. Depending on how saturated it is with the scent, it may take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks to completely air out.[11]
- Plants can help absorb odor, so try hanging the garment around some houseplants if you have them!
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Soak the item in baking soda and water. After airing out the clothes to the best of your ability, fill a sink (or your washing machine) with warm water and 1/2 to 1 cup (125-250 g) of baking soda. Submerge the garment completely and allow it to soak overnight (or up to a few days) to remove the scent.[12]
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Wash the clothes with white vinegar. Follow the instructions on the care label and wash your clothes as you normally would, either in the washing machine or by hand. Add at least 1/4 cup (59 ml) of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle, then stop the cycle. Let the laundry soak for an hour before completing the rinse cycle.[13]
- The vinegar will help remove the perfume residue from the item’s fibers.
- If you want, add an extra rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is removed from your clothing.
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Dry and air out the clothes again. Rather than tossing your clothes in the dryer, hang them on a clothesline or use a drying rack in the fresh air. Allow them to dry completely, and check to make sure the smell is gone. If it isn’t, repeat the process as many times as needed.[14]
- While sunlight can help remove odors, it can sometimes fade fabrics, so hang dark colors in the shade.
- If you must use a dryer, use a low-temperature setting, as heat may cause the odor to set more deeply into the fabric.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionDo cologne stains come out?Elias WestonElias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
Cleaning SpecialistIt can be challenging and you may need to try a few different cleaning solutions to find one that works, and even then you may need to perform multiple cleanings to get the stain out. But it's certainly possible! -
QuestionWhat should I do if the perfume is still a little damp?Elias WestonElias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
Cleaning SpecialistDo as much cleaning as you can possibly do while the surface is still damp! it's much easier to get a tough stain out if the material is still wet. Soak up as much as you can, then combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of dish soap, and 4 cups of water. Gently blot the area with your solution and then scrub it with a clean toothbrush. -
QuestionI just realized that i got the stain after reaching work for a couple of hours, is it still possible to be removed?Community AnswerYes, it is possible to remove older stains. Flush your garment with immediately if it is a washable fabric, then use one or two methods to remove the stain.
Video
Tips
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Not all fabrics are the same. If you’re not sure what methods to use for your stained garment, research safe ways to remove stains from that particular fabric.Thanks
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Remember to always apply perfume before getting dressed so that you don’t stain your clothes!Thanks
Warnings
- Denatured alcohol is poisonous to ingest, so use extreme care when using and storing it.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a656969/remove-perfume-stains/
- ↑ Elias Weston. Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.
- ↑ https://dev.web.extension.illinois.edu/stain/staindetail.cfm?ID=38
- ↑ https://dev.web.extension.illinois.edu/stain/staindetail.cfm?ID=38
- ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1414318/glycerin-ingredient-remove-stains-clothes-clean-laundry/
- ↑ http://cleaning.tips.net/T004250_Removing_Stains_from_Silk.html
- ↑ https://isitleather.com/blog/how-to-get-oil-grease-stains-out-of-leather-furniture/
- ↑ https://site.extension.uga.edu/textiles/care/stain-removal/remove-stains-from-grease-automotive-cooling-vaseline/
- ↑ Elias Weston. Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.
- ↑ Elias Weston. Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-get-perfume-smell-out-clothes
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-get-perfume-smell-out-clothes
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-get-perfume-smell-out-clothes
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-get-perfume-smell-out-clothes
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a656969/remove-perfume-stains/
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a656969/remove-perfume-stains/
- ↑ https://www.vogue.com/article/how-to-buy-wear-store-perfume-best-fragrance-application-tips
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/fragrances-overview
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/fragrances-overview
About This Article
You can remove perfume stains from cotton or other washable fabrics with simple household ingredients. Try dabbing the stain with a damp sponge or cloth. For tougher stains, try soaking a paper towel in rubbing alcohol or a mixture of glycerin, detergent, and water. Then, cover the stain with the paper towel and leave it for 10 minutes. If that doesn’t work, soak the material in equal parts water and baking soda for 15 minutes, then wash it in your washing machine. To get perfume stains out of leather or suede, wipe it with warm, soapy water. If the stain’s still there, sprinkle cornmeal on top, leave it to sit for half an hour, then brush it off. For more tips, including how to remove perfume stains from silk or triacetate fabrics, read on!