How to get the chlorine smell out of clothes hit me as a real problem after one swim.
Whether it’s your swimsuit, cotton tops, or even your towels, that sharp chlorine scent tends to cling.
I first noticed it after my friend’s daughter kept complaining that her skin felt dry and itchy after swimming lessons.
That’s when I started digging into natural fixes that work while being gentle on fabrics and skin.
This guide covers real-life tricks that work, using home remedies, gentle products, and smart care routines.
How to Get Chlorine Smell Out of Clothes Naturally
After a long swim, I noticed my T-shirt smelled like a bottle of pool cleaner.
I found this trick, which helps without fading the colours or damaging the material.
1. Lemon and Salt Pre-Soak
It completely removed the chemical smell from my cotton tee after one cycle, leaving a fresh citrus scent.
- Squeeze two lemons into 3 litres of cold water.
- Add 2 tablespoons of salt.
- Soak your clothes for 45–60 minutes.
- Simply wash in the machine using mild detergent
How to Get Chlorine Smell Out of a Swimsuit
Here is the simple trick to get the chlorine smell out of a swimsuit:
2. Hand-Wash with Baby Shampoo
Baby shampoo is gentle on fabric and cuts through chemical buildup.
My friend used this method for keeping her swimsuits stretchy and fresh-smelling all season.
- Fill a basin with cold water.
- Add 1 teaspoon of baby shampoo.
- Gently swirl the swimsuit in the water for 2–3 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly and lay flat to dry.
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What Neutralises Chlorine on Skin Without Irritation?
I used to come home from the pool with itchy, dry patches. Figuring out became a priority for me.
I used to go with this trick:
3. Rinse with a Vitamin C Solution
Vitamin C neutralises chlorine on contact. I noticed an instant difference in how smooth and soft my skin felt after just one use.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered vitamin C with 1 cup of water.
- Pour the solution over your skin before you shower.
- Leave it on for 30 seconds, then rinse and shower normally.
How to Get Chlorine Smell Out of Hair
Chlorine can make your hair smell awful and feel like straw. Here’s how to get chlorine smell out of hair the natural way.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar & Tea Tree Oil Rinse
This combo removes odour and soothes the scalp. It left my hair light and clean, with zero chlorine smell.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of cool water.
- Add 2 drops of tea tree oil.
- Rinse your hair with this solution.
- Shampoo and condition as usual.
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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove Chlorine Smell from Clothes
Here are the simple steps to remove the chlorine smell from clothes easily:
Step 1: Rinse your clothes right away
As soon as you’re done with swimming, rinse your swimsuit or cotton clothes under cool running water.
This helps wash out most of the chlorine before it settles in.
Step 2: Soak in hydrogen peroxide water
Fill a bucket with 4 cups of cold water and stir in 1 cup of regular 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Soak your clothes for about 30–40 minutes. It helps remove the bleachy smell and doesn’t damage the fabric.
Step 3: Use a swimwear-safe detergent
Look for a detergent made for removing chlorine or for washing sportswear.
They’re made to get deep into the fibres and lift out chemical smells.
Step 4: Wash on cold to get chlorine smell out of clothes
Use cold water and the gentle setting on your washing machine. Hot water locks in smells and breaks down fabric faster.
Step 5: Hang dry in the shade
Avoid the dryer or direct sun. Just hang your clothes outside or on a window to dry naturally.
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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove Chlorine Smell from Skin
Here are the simple steps to remove the chlorine smell from skin:
Step 1: Rinse off right after swimming
Jump in the shower as soon as you’re out of the pool. Don’t wait! A quick rinse can stop chlorine from drying out your skin.
Step 2: Wash with a mild body cleanser
Use a fragrance-free soap or one made for swimmers. If you don’t have one, a gentle baby wash works too. No scrubs or harsh soaps.
Step 3: tomato juice to get chlorine smell out of clothes
This sounds weird, but it works. Rub a little plain tomato juice over your arms, legs, and anywhere you smell chlorine.
Leave it on for a minute, then rinse off. It cuts the smell fast.
Step 4: Pat dry with a soft towel
Skip the rough towel rubbing. Just pat your skin gently to avoid irritation.
Step 5: Moisturize Immediately
Use a thick, fragrance-free lotion or aloe vera gel while your skin is still slightly damp.
It helps lock in moisture and calms any chlorine itch.
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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove Chlorine Smell from Hair
Here are the simple steps to remove the chlorine smell from hair easily:
Step 1: Rinse your hair before and after swimming
Before you swim, wet your hair with plain water. It fills the strands so they don’t soak up as much chlorine.
Then rinse again as soon as you get out.
Step 2: Wash with swimmer’s shampoo
Use a shampoo made for swimmers, or a clarifying one, once a week.
These are designed to pull out chlorine and odour without damaging your hair.
Step 3: Use coconut milk to refresh and soften
Massage a few tablespoons of coconut milk into your hair and scalp. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, then rinse well.
It’s gentle and helps replace lost moisture while getting rid of that pool smell.
Step 4: Use conditioner to get chlorine smell out of clothes
Apply a deep conditioner or a thick moisturising hair mask. Let it soak in to repair dryness caused by chlorine.
Step 5: Let it air dry
Avoid the blow dryer if you can. Hair is more fragile after swimming. Use a soft towel or let it dry naturally to keep it healthy.
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How to Get Chlorine Smell Out of Clothes – 10 Natural Home Remedies
If you’re looking for how to get the chlorine smell out of clothes with home remedies, these tricks use only safe, non-toxic ingredients.
I’ve tested every one myself or with friends, and they work.
1. Baking Soda and Orange Peel Soak
- Mix ½ cup baking soda with orange zest in warm water.
- Soak clothes for 45 minutes before washing.
- Baking soda deodorises, while orange peel adds freshness.
2. Activated Charcoal Wrap
- Wrap charcoal in cloth and place with dry clothes in a sealed bag.
- Leave overnight to absorb odour naturally.
- Great for items that can’t be rewetted.
3. Rose Water Rinse to get chlorine smell out of clothes
- Mix 1 cup of rose water with 2 cups of cold water.
- Soak delicate fabrics or use as a rinse post-wash.
- Leaves clothes lightly scented and chlorine-free
4. Bentonite Clay Spot Rub
- Make a clay paste with water.
- Rub into odour-prone areas like underarms.
- Wait 20–30 minutes, rinse, and wash normally.
5. Bay Leaf Boil Soak
- Boil 5 bay leaves, cool the water.
- Soak clothes in it for 45 minutes.
- Herbal aroma replaces strong chlorine scent.
6. Black Tea Bath for Dark Fabrics
- Brew strong black tea.
- Let dark clothes soak in cooled tea.
- Neutralises chlorine and restores tone.
7. Lavender Oil Rinse
- Add 6 drops of lavender oil to 1 litre of water.
- Rinse clothes or swimsuits in this after washing.
- Antimicrobial and great-smelling.
8. Beer and Water Soak
- Mix 1 cup of flat beer with 3 cups of water.
- Soak cotton clothes for 30 minutes.
- Yeast breaks down chlorine residues.
9. Fresh Basil Leaf Infusion
- Crush basil into warm water.
- Let it steep, then soak clothes for 30 minutes.
- Basil oils naturally eliminate odour.
10. Coffee Grounds Odor Trap
- Place dry used coffee grounds in a cloth pouch.
- Store smelly clothes in a sealed bag overnight.
- Great for quick wash-deodorising.
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Will Vinegar Remove Chlorine from Swimsuit Fabric?
Yes, vinegar is excellent for removing chlorine from swimsuits, but it must be used correctly.
Mix ¼ cup white vinegar with 4 cups of cold water.
Soak the swimsuit for 30 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly and lay flat to dry.
This works great for occasional deep cleaning without ruining elasticity.
Why Do My Clothes Smell Like Chlorine After Washing?
It is because the chlorine didn’t rinse out properly after swimming or there’s bleach residue in your washer.
Here is the way you can fix that problem easily:
- Deep Clean Washer and Double Rinse.
- Run an empty hot cycle with 1 cup of white vinegar in the drum.
- Always use a double rinse cycle after washing swimwear.
- Avoid bleach in regular laundry loads.
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How to Remove Chlorine Smell from Water and Hands
If your tap or shower water smells like chlorine—or your hands reek post-pool—here are two simple solutions.
For Water
- Use a Charcoal or Vitamin C Filter.
- Install a showerhead filter with activated carbon or vitamin C beads.
- This helps to neutralize chlorine before it hits your skin
For Hands
- Rinse with Milk and Honey.
- Mix equal parts cold milk and honey.
- Rub into hands and rinse after swimming.
- Soothes and deodorizes at the same time
Final Thoughts: how to get chlorine smell out of clothes
If chlorine odour has been haunting your clothes, skin, or hair after swimming, you now have a full toolkit of safe, natural solutions.
You’ve learned exactly how to get chlorine smell out of clothes, swimsuits, hands, and even hair without using harsh chemicals.
These tricks have helped me and my friends keep our favorite clothes smelling fresh and feeling soft.
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