Sometimes clothing can smell, not too fresh. Dry Clean only pieces, vintage clothing and silk especially tend to hold on to those not so pleasant scents.
Sometimes even dry cleaning or laundering can’t eliminate odor. It stays behind lingering, hiding deep in the fibers waiting for you to put the garment on again then rising like a Phoenix back to it’s full stank.
Whether it’s mustiness, cigarette smoke or if your favorite vintage piece smells like cumin that has been baking in the sun there is one sure fire way to ditch that stank, Vodka.
I learned this nifty trick of removing clothing odors with Vodka back in my Theater days, we used it all the time on costumes to get that “been around for decades, worn all night and sweated in by the entire cast” smell out. The alcohol works in pretty much the same way as sanitizing hand gels, killing odor-causing bacteria. Since vodka kills bacteria and dries odorless, when it evaporates so does the stink.
When selecting Vodka for this purpose you probably don’t want to use the expensive stuff just to freshen up your clothes. I opt for something less than top-shelf but you can go with whatever you have on hand in a pinch.
There are two methods you can use Vodka to kill that smell: in a steamer cocktail or straight up with a spray bottle.
Vodka Cocktail Steaming Method
This method gives that stinky bacteria a double slap. Not only does the Vodka kill bacteria, so does the heat from the steam. Fill your steamer with a half-and-half solution of vodka and water, and steam away. The pungent scent will totally subside – and no, you won’t smell like you’ve been on a drinking binge, the vodka smell with evaporate as well.
Vodka Straight Up Spray Deodorizer
You want to make sure you have a bottle of high proof Vodka. It’s the high alcohol content that gets this job done. Pour the vodka into an empty spray bottle for easy application. Make sure to use vodka only, as water will dilute the alcohol’s odor-removing power. Then spritz away. I recommend using a spritzer that produces a fine diffused spritz (like a cosmetics type) rather than a strong directional one. This will smell strong at first but both the clothing stank and the vodka smell will subside as it dries.
30 Comments
I have never heard of this trick before but it is definitely worth a shot …literally lol … one shot for you, one shot for the clothes ! hehe
LMAO totally! It works wonders!
Umm best trick I’ve heard of! I can’t wait to try this on all my winter coats! Thanks Christie!
Xx, Amanda
http://Www.thegirlfromvegas.com
Works like a charm! I use it on my vintage pieces to get the “vintage smell” out all the time!
What a gem of a tip. (And what a gem of a stylist!) Thanks for giving us common folks an inside industry secret!!!
LOL no prob. It works every time!
I’ve heard about this hack but have never done it. Good thing I have lots of vodka in the house
LOL right! Always keep it handy.
Omg girl this is such a great tip! I did not know that vodka dried odorless! I’m going to try this one out!
http://www.officiallychic.com
You’ll be surprised at how great it works!
Your tips in this post is great. I would definitely try it. Thanks for sharing.
Works every time!
Now this is something I need pronto! Every time I buy a vintage piece I have to close my eyes as I drop it at the dry cleaners and pray they don’t ruin it! Now I’ll try this! Thank you for the tip!
Courtney B || http://www.courtneyvioletbentley.com
This trick will save your clothes!
This is so interesting! There were so many times in the past that I could have used this deodorizing trick. Thanks for sharing!
Works every time!
THANK YOU for sharing! Since I shop mostly thrift and have become somewhat obsessed with vintage, this is definitely a trick that I can use!
It’s a lifesaver!
Are you serious? Vodka? Whoa, that’s a great tip. Thanks for sharing this.
works like a charm!
Wow, this is such a cool idea dear. Thanks for sharing.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
It’s a lifesaver!
This is such a great tip. I sometimes having trouble with clothes odor.
This trick will save you!
I LOVE this tip! Will be trying it stat!
Such an easy problem solver plus you can mix up a drink while doing it!
It dries odourless but will it leave a stain on my prom dress?
No it won’t leave a stain
Hi! Do you think this will work on a wool coat? I bought it second-hand and it has a “curry” odor to it.
Yes it works great on wool!