Odor Removing Secrets

Have you ever wanted to get the smell of perfume out of something and not been able to get rid of it? Cat pee? The new smell in a car?

I’ve figured out how to remove most odors using kitchen cupboard ingredients; all except mothballs, and even chemical experts say the only way to rid something of the smell of mothballs is the sun. Keep these odor tips to tack on your laundry room wall:

Perfume – Soak or spray with white distilled vinegar (in both instances let set for a few hours before rinsing; or for spraying, just let the smell dissipate).

Chemical Smell in Fabric – Soak overnight in 1 cup of baking soda before washing as usual.

Soot —Washing soda (wash area with 1 gallon of water to ¼ cup washing soda; let set for an hour or so before rinsing).

PVC/Plastic – Set plastic shower curtains, etc., in the sun, or wash with soap flakes and water once a week (about ¼ cup to 1 gallon warm water). Alternatively, set the plastic item in the sun as often as possible.

Biological Odors – Many biological odors contain both alkaline and acidic components, hence the alternating of baking soda and vinegar. When in doubt for any biological odor, follow directions for “Pet Pee,” below.

Pet Pee – Vinegar and baking soda, alternating. (Place white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it straight onto the pee assuming the area can handle moisture; let it set for an hour or so before rinsing. Follow by sprinkling the area with baking soda. Mist the baking soda with water. Let it set for a few hours before vacuuming. Keep alternating until the odor is gone.)

Perspiration — Baking soda. (Scrub a thick baking soda paste into the perspiration on the fabric; let set for an hour before laundering as usual. For personal hygiene, powder baking soda under your arms, making it slightly moist beforehand to help is stick if needed.)

Vomit – Vinegar and baking soda, alternating (follow directions for “Pet Pee”).

By Annie B. Bond

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Emma S.

4:57AM PST on Dec 19, 2012

Thanks for this - really helpful!

December 19
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Les M.

12:46PM PST on Dec 8, 2012

i use vinegar and baking soda for pretty much all household chores, whether for deodorizing or disinfecting or cleaning. however, we have 3 cats and are always trying new products to get rid of the smell. the baking soda does a lot but there's still that lingering scent that only a litterbox can provide.

December 8
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Maureen C.

12:41PM PST on Dec 8, 2012

I finally had success removing perfume smell from some underarmor compression shorts that I bought at a thrift store. After studying so many posts, it was clear that I had a unique situation, where it seemed that the scent had actually chemically bonded with the synthetic fabric. So I went with chemistry. Both Lysol liquid and Dawn have the ability to break hydrocarbon bonds very well. So I combined them and soaked the shorts overnight. Worked beautifully. I had also tried an enzymatic pre soak initially, but I doubt that that was a factor. Quality perfumes are created with essential oils, which should break down in most stain removing alternatives. But I guess that lower quality scents, for whatever purposes, may actually have a hydrocarbon base, which will certainly bond chemically with most synthetic fabrics.

Matt R.

7:24AM PST on Nov 28, 2012

Odors are an ongoing problem for pet owners; candles and sprays are temporary fixes, and have to be replaced when they run out. Ionizers and Ozone generators
are effective but can be expensive and require cleaning and filter replacement. There is a one-time application that will permanently resolve your odor problems. Air-ReNu is a paint additive you mix with paint apply to your walls, yes it’s a little work, but it works great and once applied it works night and day, 24/7/365.

November 28
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Erik K.

5:12AM PDT on Apr 16, 2012

This is in actuality extremely practical piece of writing.

April 16
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JenJoy H.

2:18PM PST on Dec 22, 2011

Room Shocker is the best product I have used to handle nasty odors. It’s an odor eliminator so it doesn’t cover the smell with perfumes; it actually kills the smell at its source. It’s super easy to use and environmentally friendly, so no harsh chemicals. Check it out at http://www.biocidesystems.com/roomshocker1.html