Dryer sheets
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Newspaper
According to Simko, is there a better odor absorber than paper? He recommends taking yesterday’s newspaper and crumpling it up to place in the sleeves, armpits, or pant legs of your clothes overnight, or a minimum of four hours. “The absorbent paper will usually absorb most, if not all, of the smell,” he says. This hack also works for foul-smelling shoes.
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Steam it
It seems you know the old trick of hanging your wrinkled clothes in the shower to smooth them out. The same technique can also eliminate odors from your clothing. “The steam causes the fibers in the garment to relax and release the odor from the threads,” notes Simko. “After a hot shower, you can look forward to clean, fresh-smelling clothes.”
When it comes to wrinkles, is it more effective to use a garment steamer or an iron to straighten out your clothes?
Kitty litter
The kitty litter solution shows promise here as well. “When we’re putting away out-of-season clothes, the closet can wind up smelling musty,” notes Simko. Keep a bag of kitty litter in the closet to absorb moisture and eliminate odors. Alternatively, place a clean item in a container or a Ziploc bag filled with kitty litter and shake off or brush off before wearing.
Fresh air and sunlight
Sunny weather can sanitize clothes by utilizing the disinfectant properties of UV rays. Line-drying your clothes on a bright day with a gentle airflow is a straightforward method for eliminating odor-causing bacteria.
Unused coffee grounds
This solution is a natural way to remove unwanted odors from your shirt or fabric item. Place a bowl of unused coffee grounds in the room with the item and fold the item over the bowl. Leave it overnight and it should be odor-free the next morning.
Vodka
According to Broadway expert Broadway expert Diane Reichert, there’s no better alternative to straight, budget-friendly vodka in a spray bottle for eliminating scents: “When the alcohol evaporates, it picks up and removes the smells with it,” she explains, crediting Broadway with this tried and true hack. It originates from the theater world, where actors wear heavy, sweaty costumes that need to be freshened frequently, but can’t be dry cleaned night after night, so they simply spritz them with vodka to neutralize the odor.
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Baking soda
Just as baking soda picks up odors in appliances like refrigerators and freezers, it can also eliminate odors from clothing. “Baking soda works as tiny sponges that absorb body oils and smells and leave clothes smelling clean and fresh,” according to Reichert. Apply baking soda to the smelly areas, let it sit for a longer time if possible, and then shake off the powder.
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Freezer
Freezing temperature eliminates bacteria that cause foul odors in clothing. “You can put your clothes in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer,” Reichert says. This method is particularly effective for jeans, which typically only require occasional washing.
Dryer
Just like putting your clothes in the freezer to kill germs and bacteria that cause odors, you can also use heat to do the same thing. To do this, follow Reichert’s advice: put your dry clothing into the dryer at the hottest temperature setting and leave it there for 10 to 15 minutes. This should effectively kill allergens, bacteria, and unpleasant smells.
Deodorizing spray
Odor eliminators that rely on chemical-free methods are another good choice.
Charcoal
Many odor eliminators employ charcoal because it attracts and traps odors, effectively removing them from the air. To eliminate odors from clothes, place charcoal briquettes in the bottom of a paper bag, add the clothes on top, seal the bag tightly, and let it sit overnight. Similarly, placing briquettes in shoes and boots can help eliminate foot odors.
Distilled white vinegar
Do you have a particularly smelly spot on your clothes that needs a quick fix? Using a mixture of distilled white vinegar and essential oils is a great solution according to Reichert. “Shake a spray bottle filled with the mixture, then spray it on the smelly spot. The vinegar will eliminate about 98% of the bacteria causing the odor, while the essential oil will mask the vinegar scent,” she explains. You can use this method on just the smelly spot, or if needed, spray the entire item of clothing.
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