Tips for removing odors from clothes. Perfume, sweat and smoke are pretty common clothing odors, but even if you have a funky smell that’s not on this list, the pros have you covered. Here are some general tips for odor removal that can work on many fabrics. It’s always a good idea to test an inconspicuous area first.
Try liquor
Vodka is shockingly effective at odor removal. Pour some into a spray bottle, then spritz it on unfresh clothes. As the alcohol evaporates, it will lift odors away. Keep in mind that laundry likes its vodka strong. Adding water will weaken the high alcohol content, which is where the spirit gets its odor-eliminating power. In fact, find the cheapest bottle of vodka you can find and watch in wonder as the stink disappears.
Add vinegar
Vinegar is a staple product in many cleaning schedules, so it should be no surprise that it has laundry benefits. In fact, adding a cup of vinegar to your wash cycle has stood the test of time. It can be used on both whites and colors, and your clothes will not only look brighter, they’ll smell way fresher too. Sokolowski loves vinegar for laundry, cleaning and, yes, odor removal. Soak smelly clothes in vinegar and water, then wash as usual. “Although, you might get the smell of white vinegar instead,” Sokolowski says, “so you can always add a few drops of organic essential oils.”
Sprinkle some baking soda
Sweaty, smoky or just plain dirty clothes? “Baking soda is great at absorbing odors,” Sokolowski says. Place smelly clothes in a large plastic bag or tub with a lid, and place an open box of baking soda inside. Close the container and let it sit overnight. You can also sprinkle the baking soda directly on the clothes, then if needed, “shake the clothes well to remove the baking soda before washing,” Sokolowski says.
Another hall-of-fame laundry hack is adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your suds. It softens hard water and makes your detergent work better. (Washing soda, a similar but stronger compound, works even better.) But a word to the wise: Don’t use baking soda and vinegar together—they’re an either/or situation, as they will cancel out each other and you’ll still be left with stinky clothes.
