Vinegar to remove smells from clothes

Getting Rid of Stubborn Odors in Clothes and Fabrics

Published: 2014-03-29 - Updated: 2021-08-17
Author: Disabled World | Contact: Disabled World (Disabled-World.com)
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Household Tips Publications

Synopsis: Information on how to get rid of various laundry odor problems in clothes fabrics and your washing machine. Baking soda can help remove pungent odors from laundry even when they linger after repeated washing. A cup of Borax and washing soda also make good odor removers for laundry, but are relatively ineffective as stain removers. For everything except pet urine smells - put white vinegar into both the fabric softener and the bleach dispenser of your washing machine, with the normal amount of laundry detergent. Run the load normally, and you should have success!

Using Vinegar to Eliminate Laundry Odor

For everything - except pet urine smells - put white vinegar into both the fabric softener and the bleach dispenser of your washing machine, with the normal amount of laundry detergent. Run the load normally, and you should have success!

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Adding a 1/2 cup of white vinegar with the detergent when you wash your clothes gets rid of any odors that tend to stick to the clothes. This trick also helps rid laundry of cigarette smell.
Wash your clothes as you usually do, but add 1 cup of white vinegar to the final rinse. This will neutralize any odor in the clothing and will also remove any residue left in the fabric from the detergent. It will also act as an amazing fabric softener. Promptly remove the laundry when the washer has finished and either hang it to dry or place it in the dryer.

Commercial Products for Removing Laundry Smells

Smelleze
Dirty laundry in hampers or gym bags can result in nasty, lingering odors and can damage your clothes. The Smelleze Laundry & Gym Bag Deodorizer Pouch was specially developed to fight odors caused from sweat, bacteria, smoke, cooking and other odor sources while preventing mold and mildew. Smelleze will keep your clothing smelling good until you have time to wash them.
Smelly Washer
If your towels smell more like dirty socks, then try using a product called Smelly Washer. Smelly Washer works to eliminate the stink and leaves clothes, towels and linens smelling clean after washing.

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Using white vinegar in laundry may seem like an unconventional way to remove odors and brighten your clothes – but it’s a technique that experts love.

If you’re a vintage fashion enthusiast – or you’ve forgotten about the washing in your machine for a day (or two) too long, then you have probably asked yourself how to get rid of a foisty scent permanently. However, the secret to success may be a kitchen staple that will elevate your laundry room ideas instantly.

Here’s why using white vinegar in laundry will change your washing routine for good.

Using white vinegar in laundry – the expert-approved tip that makes washing simple

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White vinegar is great for deodorizing clothes, but its qualities don’t end there. This is how to clean with vinegar for spotless, scentless clothes – and a sparkling clean washing machine.

Why use white vinegar in laundry?

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According to Parenting and Lifestyle Expert Dr. Karen Aronian , white vinegar is one of the best ways to remove odors without worrying about adding chemics to your wash.

For example, in the case of recycled pieces, the clothing may have laundry detergent, softener, dryer sheet fragrance, or personal perfume from the previous owner in the fabric. However, this can cause issues for your washing, as the odor and chemicals can bleed into your wash.

‘It can be extremely difficult to get this odor out of clothing with a basic machine or hand wash,’ Karen says. ‘The ‘perfumes and odors make the item unwearable for scent-sensitive people (especially babies). Therefore, the expert suggests turning to white vinegar.

1. Using white vinegar to get rid of odors

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Dr. Karen recommends creating a mixture of 1/4 of white vinegar and 3/4 of cold water before soaking your clothes in the solution overnight. In the morning, the items are ready to go and ‘rendered scentless.’

Cleaning expert Cristy Harfmann agrees. If you’re wondering how to wash towels or clothes that may have a bad odor, then adding 1/4 to 1 cup of vinegar to the washer during the last rinse cycle will get rid of the scent quickly.

‘It will remove the smells without making your clothes smell like vinegar,’ Cristy says. ‘If the smells still exist, you can replace detergent with vinegar and add it a second time in the rinse cycle,’ she says.

2. Using white vinegar to brighten your wash

(Image credit: Alessia Zanchi Loffredo/reDesign home/Ryan McDonald)

While white vinegar is best known as a deodorizer, it is also an effective brightener and softener. To brighten your clothes, Cristy suggests adding vinegar to the bleach dispenser. To soften your clothes, you should add one cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle via your fabric softener dispenser (instead of fabric softener).

3. Using white vinegar to clean your washing machine

(Image credit: Eye for Pretty Design)

Knowing how to clean a washing machine can feel like a tedious chore, but you can maintain its shine easily with this versatile ingredient.

Cristy suggests adding one cup of vinegar to an empty washing machine and running it once a month. ‘This removes soapy residue from your washing machine tub,’ she explains. It really is that quick, simple, but nonetheless effective.

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Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.

How to remove smell from clothes: effective ways, means

Clothes help others to make an impression of us. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the fabric and the absence of an unpleasant odor. Being able to remove any smell from clothes is as important as taking a shower and changing clothes every day. There are proven homemade recipes to keep your things fresh.

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The fabric absorbs odors well - you might like it if you wear your favorite perfume. But such a property of clothing plays against you in the case of the smell of sweat, tobacco or dampness. We have collected the best tips on how to get rid of the smell on clothes. nine0003

How to remove the smell of sweat from clothes

The smell of sweat is an unpleasant but common problem. Despite the fact that the secretions of the human body are absolutely natural, it is unlikely that anyone will like to feel the strong aroma of sweat from themselves, relatives or colleagues.

How to remove the smell of sweat from clothes with laundry soap

We invite you to remember the glorious tradition and always keep a bar of laundry soap at home. This is a universal tool for solving many everyday problems. nine0003

In particular, it will help to remove the smell of sweat from clothes, including underarms.

Soak the smelly areas with water and lather with laundry soap from the inside out.

Leave the clothes like this for half an hour and then wash as usual.

Laundry soap is not suitable for bright fabrics. The color may fade.

How to remove the smell of sweat from clothes with vinegar and soda

The smell of stale clothes can be very persistent, especially if you have worn them for many days in a row without changing them. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar will help against the stubborn smell of sweat. To remove a strong smell from clothes under the arms, you need to know how to properly dilute the acid solution. nine0003

Add 100-150 ml of vinegar to warm water and place dirty clothes in it.
Leave the clothes to soak for a few hours and then wash them in the washing machine with a few teaspoons of baking soda in the washing powder.

How to Remove Sweat Smell from Clothes with Salt

Salt is an all-purpose home remedy for various types of stains. It will help answer the question of how to remove an unpleasant smell from clothes using an affordable and cheap remedy. nine0003

Dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in a glass of water and apply to the spots.
Leave on for 1-2 hours and then wash clothes as usual.

By the way, ordinary salt can also remove the smell of oil from clothes, now we’ll tell you how.

Sprinkle salt on the stain and wait 30 minutes.
Wash the product with soap by hand or with powder in the machine.
Use a salt solution (1 tablespoon to 1 glass of water) for problem areas on silk or linen clothing. nine0003

How to remove the smell of sweat from clothes without washing

The most obvious way to remove the smell of sweat from clothes is to wash them. But there are some tricks that will allow you to deal with this problem without washing. Here are a few ways:

Try putting your clothes in the freezer for a few hours.
Sprinkle baking soda on soiled areas and rub into a cloth. Leave overnight. Shake off the soda in the morning.
Apply vinegar to stains. Dry your clothes. nine0038

These methods are good if you are in a hurry and cannot wait for your clothes to dry. Or, for example, the water was turned off at home. Removing the smell from clothes without washing is quite acceptable, how to apply an emergency measure. The thing will still not be completely fresh. Wash it as soon as possible.

How to remove the smell of dampness from clothes

Musty smells from clothes often appear as a result of improper storage. It is recommended to periodically air out the things that you have hung in the closet until the next season. Washed items should not be stored together with stale ones. If you find a terrible damp smell and don't know how to quickly remove the smell from your clothes, put the item in the freezer. Usually this is enough. But in more problematic cases, you can use vinegar, soda, ammonia, citric acid. nine0003

How to remove mildew smell from clothes

Unpleasant damp odor can appear on clothes as a result of infection with mold spores. This happens, for example, if you leave things for several days in the washing machine. To get rid of amber, use vinegar or soda. Proceed as follows:

Put the item in the washing machine, add the standard amount of powder.
Add baking soda or vinegar to water. When the machine is full, pour a glass of this solution or fill the liquid detergent compartment with it. nine0038
Hang clothes to dry in a well-ventilated place.

Even if you know how to remove musty smells from clothes, it is better not to forget to hang things out after washing or when damp and crumpled.

How to get second hand smell out of clothes

Second hand is an economical option for those who are ready to hunt for the perfect item. Sometimes there are amazing finds. However, anyone who has ever bought used clothes knows the characteristic smell of second-hand clothes. This caustic fragrance appears as a result of processing things with formaldehyde, and it can be very difficult to remove it. nine0003

We will show you how to remove the smell of second-hand clothes from clothes if you value the habit of shopping in such stores. The method is very simple.

Washing with a long rinse and drying clothes thoroughly for at least a day can help. If the smell persists, use ammonia. Prepare a solution of 10% ammonia with water. For small things, calculate the amount of ammonia from the proportion of 20 ml per 5 liters of water. For large ones - 100 ml per 10 liters of water. Soak the item in this solution for an hour. nine0003

How to remove the smell from the closet with clothes

Closets with clothes require regular ventilation and drying. To do this, completely empty the wardrobe and dry it with a hair dryer. Periodically, you can carry out wet cleaning with a cleaner with wax for wood. Experienced housewives use soap bars, citrus peel, coffee beans to flavor the interior of the cabinet. Simply place your chosen material in woven bags and arrange on the shelves.

How to remove the smell of urine from clothes

You can get rid of the smell of baby urine with the help of folk remedies. Apply a solution of salt (1 tablespoon to 1 glass of water) or vinegar (1 teaspoon to 1 glass of water) to the stain. Wait 15 minutes and wash the item with soap.

Animal excrement is a little more complicated. A solution of hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate helps to remove the cat smell from clothes as efficiently as possible. First, treat the area with a solution of vinegar (4 tablespoons per 1 cup of water). Pour soda on top, after 5 minutes rub the area with a sponge dipped in peroxide. nine0003

How to remove the smell of gasoline from clothes

Petroleum products have very strong odors. Sometimes every visit to the gas station turns into a subsequent war with smells. If the thing is soaked with gasoline, you first need to ventilate it thoroughly. Let it hang for at least a day, preferably outdoors or in a ventilated room.

Then rinse with water. Let it dry and then wash with laundry soap. After that, you can run the clothes in the washing machine, but separately from other things. If the fabric allows, set the maximum temperature. nine0003

If you encounter diesel fuel, take soda. How to save a thing and remove the smell of diesel fuel from clothes?

Soak clothes in a saturated solution and leave for 4 hours.
Machine wash with good detergent and fabric softener.
Arrange an extra rinse.
Air dry.

How to remove the smell of cigarettes from clothes

After a long stay in a smoky room, getting rid of the smell of tobacco becomes a paramount task. Washing clothes in a typewriter at the highest temperature and pre-soaking in a solution of vinegar and soda for an hour will help to cope with it. To completely remove the smell from clothes, after performing these procedures, things must be thoroughly dried. nine0003

By the way, table vinegar helps both with the stench from cigarettes and, if necessary, to remove the smell of perfume from clothes. Only in this case, you need to rinse the item in the solution after washing - 1 glass per 5 liters of water. Spare no water after that, to remove the vinegar flavor as well.

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How to remove the smell of vinegar from the sofa, carpet, clothes, shoes, refrigerator and apartment: simple methods

Vinegar is a powerful and effective home remedy. Everyone knows the cleaning, disinfecting and bleaching properties of this product. We are also familiar with the specific smell of vinegar - sharp, sour, not very pleasant. To eliminate it from household items, clothes and shoes, you have to work a little. nine0003

How to remove the smell in the apartment

Vinegar helps housewives get rid of stubborn dirt, including traces of grease and mold. Usually apple cider vinegar is used in the household: it has bactericidal, bleaching, antifungal, softening properties.

After treatment, a sourish aroma is felt everywhere in the apartment. The first thing to do is open the windows. If possible, ventilate the room for 1-2 hours. The next step is wet cleaning with warm water and a simple detergent. It should have a pleasant smell. Even dish detergent will do. nine0003

Another solution to quickly remove odor from a room is water with salt or soda. They wipe all surfaces after airing.

Advice
To drown out the unpleasant smell, use natural flavors: citrus peel, cinnamon sticks, essential oils beat off the vinegar smell.

Another trick with salt and soda is to arrange plates with this substance around the house and wait. Products absorb extraneous odors from the space, including an unpleasant vinegar smell. nine0003

Sometimes a simple draft is enough if the smell of vinegar is light. Against strong amber, do not limit yourself to airing only, try to quickly apply additional cleaning methods.

Remove odor from furniture

Furniture and carpets should be cleaned with the utmost care. The smell of vinegar from the sofa can be removed, but not all products are suitable for this. So, an ammonia solution often leaves irremovable stains on an expensive piece of furniture. For cleaning, diluted ammonia is used - 1 tbsp is enough for 10 liters of water. l. You can add a little washing powder to the composition to remove the smell. nine0003

How carpets and upholstery are cleaned:

Wet a soft sponge or cloth with the solution.
Carefully process the place where the smell comes from.
Leave for 5-10 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water.

If you have spilled vinegar on a soft surface, try dry cleaning it up. You need to pour a little soda on the vinegar stain and leave for 15-20 minutes. The rest of the vinegar will be absorbed into the granules, and it remains only to remove them with a vacuum cleaner. All the described methods are used to clean the sleeping mattress, any textiles. nine0003

Miss Clean magazine warns that after cleaning, the vinegar smell may linger for some time. Then he disappears anyway.

How to freshen up clothes

Vinegar is used to rinse clothes after washing: the solution softens the fibers of fabrics, neutralizing detergent residues. After such a reception, clothes retain whiteness longer. A side effect is a sour smell, especially after rinsing in a solution with the wrong concentration.

Advice
To rinse clothes, use the following solution: for 10 liters of water - no more than 0.5 cup of the product.

The surest way to get the vinegar smell out is to re-wash your clothes in the washing machine and an extra rinse cycle. For hand washing, long-term soaking in powder is more suitable. In order for clothes to emit a pleasant fresh scent, they are dried in a well-ventilated area, for example, on a balcony.

Rinsing of things after treatment with vinegar can be carried out in a solution of ammonia. Another way is to add some baking soda to the water. nine0003

We clean shoes

Vinegar helps to get rid of bad smell in shoes. In order for shoes and boots to be completely cleaned, after acetic treatment they are wiped with ammonia. The substance neutralizes the acidity, and the stink from the vinegar disappears.

Another way is to machine wash shoes, but only those that can withstand such a load, and on a special or the most gentle mode.

Soda is a well-known product for eliminating unpleasant odors. It can also be used for cleaning shoes. Fill cloth bags with baking soda and put them in your boots, it won't hurt to leave them overnight. nine0003

An effective mixture - soda and hydrogen peroxide: the products are taken in equal proportions, the solution wipes the contamination, after 1-2 hours everything is washed off with clean water.

Smell and home appliances

The same products are suitable for kitchen utensils as for cleaning furniture and clothing. The smell is removed by salt, soda, ammonia and ordinary detergents.

To eliminate the smell in the refrigerator, try the dry method: leave a plate of baking soda or salt inside the appliance. After a while, the vinegar will be absorbed, and its smell will no longer bother you. nine0003

Mortar method:

Dilute 4 tbsp. l. salt (per 5 liters).
Wait for the crystals to dissolve.
Wipe appliances, tiles and other surfaces.
Wipe again, but this time with clean water.

Vinegar breaks down easily at high temperatures. If the aroma remains on the dishes, simply wash them in hot water.

As you can see, vinegar is not such a big problem. The smell of the substance is easy to remove by ordinary methods: from airing to wiping with a cleaning solution from improvised means.