How to Remove Smell from Second-Hand Clothes?

Then, how to remove smell from second-hand clothes? This can be done a few different ways, and depending on the type of garment (primarily, the material type), the cause of the smell, and how strong it is, you might employ different methods.

There is no one size fits all, unfortunately, and not all options at your disposal will be suitable for your particular garment. However, we will go through some effective methods that you can use to remove the odour from your second-hand clothes.

Steam Cleaning Works Wonders

One of the most effective ways to eliminate unwanted odours from almost any kind of clothing is through steaming. This is a term used to describe an alternative method of ironing that works wonders, and is effective in killing bacteria and getting rid of odour in no time.

You will never run out of ways to use a steamer, from uses inside the house to your car, this is one piece of equipment that can be used almost anywhere. Just remember that some steamers need to be used vertically to prevent the water from leaking out of the tank.

Air the Garment Out

Possibly the easiest solution, but not one that will work on all odours: air the clothes out! This is as easy as it sounds, but the weather can play a part, as it’s better to air your clothes out in the sun if you want to get rid of smells.

Baking Soda Wins Again

By now, we are all aware of the magic of baking soda in cleaning, and this is another winner for removing odours from clothes. All you need to do here is cover your smelly second-hand clothes in baking soda and put everything in an airtight container for a few days.

As time goes on, the baking soda will absorb all the odours, leaving your garment smelling better. In extreme cases, you may need to repeat this a few times and replace the baking soda every few days before washing your garments.

A Vinegar Bath Can Go a Long Way

Vinegar is another widespread household item that works wonders in all things cleaning. When it comes to removing odours from clothes, this ingredient is another winner, and can honestly change your life.

Simply soak the garments in a vinegar and water bath, and leave them to soak overnight. When you wash the clothes, make sure to add some baking soda in, too.

Freeze the Bacteria Away

We’ve mentioned in other articles that freezing your second-hand clothing is a good practice to follow, whether they small or not. Doing this will kill off the bacteria and anything else that might be hiding in the garment, like insect eggs (this is very unlikely, but you never know).

Place your preloved clothing in a bag and stick it in the freezer for three days. When you take it out, the bacteria will be dead. Unfortunately, this does mean that this method won’t work very well for other kinds of smells (e.g. food or oil), so you will need to try one of the other methods for that.

Tip: Freezing second-hand shoes is one of the best things you can do! We all know that shoes can be smelly, and this method is often the perfect solution. Just put the shoes in a plastic bag and leave them in the freezer for three or so days.

Bleach is the Last Resort

For really stubborn odours, bleach might be the only solution that will make any difference at all. If you do choose to go down this route, make sure that the bleach won’t disintegrate your clothes. Use fabric-safe bleach, and soak the garments in a solution of bleach and water for six or so hours.

Again, it would be best to avoid this if at all possible, but sometimes there is no alternative.

Book a Service With Love2Laundry