I bought a cotton shirt from a thrift store. I can't get rid of the previous owner's nasty perfume smell, even after multiple washings. I have been hand-washing it so tips on that angle are appreciated.
SLK from Colorado
I've used Febreeze to get out all kinds of smells from clothing. I've even sprayed it on dryclean only clothing, and it really works! The only thing I haven't tried is something silk, so you might use caution with that. Just put it on a hanger, spritz both sides and let dry. It the perfume is still there, turn it inside out and spray it that way.
Good luck! (12/06/2004)
By Christine
Water washing is the best way to get out smells. Dry cleaning does not eliminate odors. We used Febreze at the plant where I worked, and it was even good for body-odor left in sweaters that had been dry cleaned. Toss sweaters in the dryer, spray Febreze into the drum and turn on dryer for just a few minutes. (12/06/2004)
By dracnalb
Being chemically sensitive, I wouldn't spray anything with Febreeze. To get odors out of used clothing I use baking soda and/or vinegar. Sometimes direct sunshine will help. (12/08/2004)
By Jacqui
There is a product called SCENTS-AWAY. get it at sporting goods (Wal-mart has it) Its for hunters to get the human smell off there clothing so that the Deer can't smell them.
I also use 1 TBSP mixed with water in spray bottle to get odors out of carpet and furniture, I use it as if it was Fabreez, and there is no perfume in for those of us that can't take the smell of Fabreez. My bottle cost $5.00 4 yrs. ago and you can only buy it in hunting season in most places. (12/10/2004)
By shirli
I would just hang the clothes up somewhere out of the way, until the smell is gone from them. (12/31/2004)
By Jeanette
Use white vinegar in your washing machine. About a cup along with your regular detergent, it takes odors out of clothing. (09/09/2005)
By Susan
My sister often "inherits" clothes from her perfume loving neighbor and her way of dealing with the smell is to put the clothes in an open area of her laundry room for several weeks to months, and the smell eventually dissipates. Good luck!
Also, if the item needs to be hand-washed, why not try it on the gentle cycle in the washer? My washer has a hand-wash/delicate cycle and it works very gently. Adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle (in place of fabric softener) not only helps remove odors, but also irritants in your clothing. Plus, vinegar is much less expensive than fabric softener with the same properties. (09/09/2005)
By Sara C
I am a chemically sensitive person and it seems like the whole world thinks Fabreeze is God's gift to the stinky world. I don't know if you've noticed, but Fabreeze has a fragrance. Getting rid of one fragrance by putting another over it is hardly a solution. Try to think less of smell (which is a huge issue) and more of the chemicals that create that smell. Get rid of the chemicals by cleaning with something rather than ADDING more chemicals to the mix.
If something smells really bad to me (fragrances of any kind) they make me sick. I just returned from my dentist who obviously sprays his chair with Fabreeze and his office has some plug in fragrance things as well. I washed my clothes six times and the smell just actually got stronger. I'm trying to get it off my car seats as we speak.
My solution which I hope will work: Lightly wet the seats with a wet paper towel and my shampoo and, I've found this to be a great and natural "fragrance." Get a big pack of Juicy Fruit or Double-mint gum. Get two or three. Take all the gum out but you don't have to unwrap the sticks. Spread a few packs out all over the place. Everything smells just like Juicy Fruit or Double-mint. The smell is very strong, non chemical, and a heck of lot better than any perfume. Lasts a week or so and by that time the other smell is usually gone.
Don't chew it. (02/01/2006)
By Diane
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