When odors make their way into fabrics and clothing, they can hold on for dear life. Removing those odors by washing the items in a washing machine doesn't always do the trick. These easy and inexpensive tips for removing odor from clothing will help remove stinky smells from your favorite items so you can wear them with pride once more!
Things You'll Need
Distilled white vinegar
Baking soda
Oxygen cleaner powder
Homemade linen spray
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1. Remove Sweat Odors With Vinegar
Deodorant is meant to keep you from sweating, but the truth is, sometimes it just doesn't do the trick. Even after washing your shirts, body odor smells can linger behind, especially in the pit area and other areas where you sweat. To remove the sweaty odors for good, simply soak the area in distilled white vinegar. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then rinse with cool water and wash as normal.
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2. Remove Smoke Smell With Baking Soda
Whether you've been sitting by the fire pit or your clothes smell like cigarette or cigar smoke, machine washing usually doesn't fully remove a smoke smell. The good news is that it's simple and inexpensive to get the smoke smell out of your clothes for good. All you need are a large plastic bag and a cup of baking soda.
Place the smoky clothes in the large bag (a garbage bag works well) and add baking soda. Tie the bag tightly and let it sit overnight. The baking soda will absorb the smoke odor. Remove the clothes from the bag and shake off any excess baking soda. Wash the clothes as usual. This trick works great for curtains and blankets as well.
3. Remove Mildew Smell With Vinegar
If your clothes sit in the bottom of your hamper for too long, they may develop a strong mildew smell. This can also happen with bathing suits and towels that don't fully dry. While washing mildew-smelling items in the washing machine usually won't take the odor away, there's an easy trick you can use to get rid of it.
Fill your sink or bathtub with enough warm water to cover your clothes and stir in 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. Add the clothes and let them soak for 1 to 3 hours. Vinegar not only neutralizes odor but also helps to remove set-in stains. Ring out the clothes and then wash as usual.
4. Deodorize Ball Caps With Oxygen Cleaner Powder
Ball caps are notorious for becoming sweaty and stinky after being worn in the sun, especially if you wear them when it's hot outside. Washing your hats may make them appear clean, but it usually doesn't remove the stain and odor from the inside rim.
To remove the sweat stain and odor, wet your hat thoroughly and then sprinkle the stained area with an oxygen cleaner powder like OxiClean. Use a soft-bristle brush or toothbrush to work the powder into the stain. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Allow the cap to air-dry.
Tip
To ensure that your ball cap doesn't lose its domed shape after washing, place it on an upside-down bowl to dry.
5. Make Clothing Smell Fresh Using Linen Spray
Things You'll Need
1 tsp. laundry fabric softener
1 cup warm water
Spray bottle
If you have a clothing item that has been sitting in the closet for a while or you've already worn it and it needs freshening, make a homemade linen spray that smells like fresh laundry.
Simply add the fabric softener and water to a clean spray bottle and mix well. Spray your item lightly with the linen spray and let it air-dry for a few minutes or toss it in the dryer for a few minutes, which will help remove wrinkles as well.
