I have learnt how to get rid of the smell of perfume after my roommate spilled her perfume all over my laundry basket.
Everything smelled like her scent for days, my shirts, my bedsheets, even the room, not in a pleasant way.
It was so strong, I started getting headaches. I tried just tossing everything in the washer, but it didn’t help.
Then I started testing every trick I could find; some worked instantly, some did not at all.
Here’s what finally worked for me: each method is simple, safe, and easy to do at home.
Step-by-Step Guide On how to get rid of smell of perfume
This is the simple process I follow when a perfume scent sticks to my clothes, especially after a party.
1. Air It Out First: Hang the garment outside or near a fan for a few hours.
2. Spot Neutralise: Dab the smelliest areas with diluted lemon juice or black tea. Target areas like armpits or collars.
3. Soak or Treat: Use one of the methods, like tea soak, rice, or charcoal. Choose based on fabric type and urgency.
4. Dry in the Open Air: Always dry in a breezy, shaded place. Never stuff it in a closet immediately.
5. Repeat if Needed: For very stubborn scents, you may need 2–3 rounds.
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how to get rid of smell of perfume on clothes
Try this simple trick. It’s especially good for cotton, denim, or canvas.
1. Lemon Juice Soak with Salt
The acid in lemon breaks down scent molecules, and salt helps pull odours out of fabric.
- Squeeze two lemons into a large bowl of warm water.
- Add 1 tablespoon of salt and stir until dissolved.
- Soak the smelly garment for 30–45 minutes.
- Rinse with plain cold water and air dry in the shade.
how to get rid of smell of perfume In a room
I walked into my friend’s bedroom once, and it smelled like she’d dropped an entire perfume counter in there.
If your room feels overwhelming, too, this is the simplest fix.
2. Ground Coffee Absorption
It works especially well in closed spaces like bedrooms or closets.
- Place bowls of freshly ground coffee in corners, under beds, or near the smelly area.
- Let them sit for 12–24 hours.
- Discard used grounds in the trash.
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How to get rid of the smell of spilled perfume in bags or upholstery
I once dropped a bottle of perfume in my bag. It smelled for weeks.
If you’re looking to get rid of the smell of spilled perfume, especially from items you can’t wash, try this.
3. Activated Charcoal Packets
It’s great for spills in bags, luggage, or car upholstery.
- Place 1–2 activated charcoal sachets, like a bag, drawer, or seat, inside the smelly space.
- Seal or zip it up and leave it overnight.
- For bigger spills, repeat for 2–3 days.
How to get rid of perfume smell on you
Once I sprayed the wrong perfume, which clashed terribly with my body lotion, it stayed on me all day.
This scrub works wonders.
4. Dry Oatmeal & Baking Clay Scrub
The combination draws out oils and scents from your skin while being gentle and natural.
- Mix 2 tbsp of dry oatmeal with 1 tbsp of cosmetic clay and a few drops of water to form a paste.
- Gently rub over wrists, neck, or wherever perfume was applied.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
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How to get rid of the smell of too much perfume
We’ve all been there, someone sprayed too much perfume, and now the whole room stinks.
If that’s you, you need this trick, which is easy and fresh.
5. Boiled Citrus Peel Steam
- Take orange and lime peels and boil them in a pot of water.
- Let it simmer for 10–15 minutes on a low flame.
- Place it in the room with the door closed for another 15 minutes.
- Works great after parties or heavy perfume use.
How to get rid of perfume smell from clothes
This is a simple trick that works effectively:
6. Raw Rice and Essential Oil Jar
- Fill a large airtight jar with uncooked white rice.
- Add a drop of neutral essential oil like eucalyptus or lavender.
- Place your folded clothes inside the jar and seal it for 24 hours.
- Rice acts as a natural desiccant, pulling moisture and odours out gently without washing.
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How to get rid of the alcohol smell of perfume
Some perfumes don’t just smell strong, they reek of alcohol. If you’re sensitive to it, this works beautifully.
7. Black Tea Bath Soak
- Brew 4 strong black tea bags in 1 litre of hot water.
- Let cool slightly, then soak the fabric or wipe down surfaces.
- Let it air dry naturally.
- It’s safe for most fabrics and doesn’t leave stains.
How to get the smell of perfume from soft items
Some of my scarves held onto perfume like glue. Try this best trick.
8. Cornmeal
- Place the smelly item in a pillowcase or a cloth bag.
- Add 1/2 cup of cornmeal and a few cloves.
- Shake gently and leave sealed for 24 hours.
What kills perfume smell fast without leaving other scents?
You’ve probably Googled what kills perfume smell and seen vinegar or baking soda everywhere. But here’s something different.
9. Unscented Clay Kitty Litter in a Box
- Pour fresh, clay-based, fragrance-free litter into a plastic bin.
- Lay your smelly clothing or item above it on a mesh tray or cloth.
- Seal the lid and leave overnight.
- Perfect for neutralising strong fragrances without masking.
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Home Remedies on how to get rid of smell of perfume
Here are some simple home tricks that are effective in removing perfume smell:
1. Tea Tree Steam
Boil water and add 4 drops of tea tree oil. Cover your head and smelly item with a towel and allow the steam to penetrate the fabric.
This kills lingering scent bacteria and refreshes fabric naturally. It’s especially helpful for scarves, collars, and pillowcases.
2. Clove Sachet Soak on how to get rid of smell of perfume
Fill a small cloth pouch with dried cloves and place it with the garment in an airtight container. Leave for 24–48 hours.
You can even hang the sachet inside a closet to freshen the surrounding clothes.
3. Newspaper Wrap
Wrap your item completely in layers of newspaper and leave it overnight.
It contains carbon-based ink that can trap and works best for folded clothes, books, and even small bags exposed to perfume.
4. Raw Potato Rub on how to get rid of smell of perfume
Slice a fresh raw potato and gently rub the moist side on the smelly area of clothes.
Let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping. It’s gentle enough to try on wool and synthetic blends, too.
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5. Crushed Mint Ice Rinse to get rid of perfume smell out of clothes
Add crushed mint leaves into ice water and gently rinse your fabric or scarf.
After rinsing, dab it dry with a towel and hang it to air-dry in a breezy spot.
6. Arrowroot Powder Dusting
Sprinkle a generous amount over smelly spots and let sit for 1–2 hours. Brush or vacuum off after.
Arrowroot draws out scent oils without staining delicate fabrics. It’s a safer alternative to baking soda for silks and synthetics.
7. Clay Pebble Jar
Place cosmetic clay pebbles in a closed container with your smelly item inside. Leave it sealed overnight.
Clay pebbles are highly absorbent and ideal for non-washable items. This is great for hats, gloves, shoes, and leather purses.
8. Aloe Vera Skin Wipe
Rub fresh aloe vera gel over skin areas with lingering scent, then rinse.
This works well for people with sensitive skin or after an accidental overspray.
9. Tomato Juice Rinse
Mix 1 part tomato juice with 3 parts water. Soak smelly clothes for 15 minutes, rinse well, and air dry.
Tomatoes help neutralise pungent synthetic scents. It’s good for polyester and other materials that lock in odours.
10. Sandalwood Paste Dab
Make a paste from sandalwood powder and water. Apply gently to the skin or the corners of smelly garments.
Ideal for cases where you want to replace the scent rather than just erase it.
Final Thoughts: how to get rid of smell of perfume
Dealing with lingering perfume smell, whether from a spill or heavy spray, can be frustrating.
But with the right tricks and natural ingredients, you can learn how to get rid of smell of perfume from clothes easily.
Each method here is safe and based on personal experience or trusted advice.
Try a few and see what works for your fabric, skin, or space, and feel good walking scent-free again.
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