How to Get Odor Out of Clothes Without Washing

Source: Pexels

Whether you’ve fished it out of the dirty laundry basket or forgotten to take it to the cleaners, don’t panic. There are various ways to rid clothes of nasty odors without washing or dry cleaning. Find out how to refresh garments with items you already have at home.

“What kind of filth is this? What sort of man wears dirty clothes?” I know—that’s what you’re thinking. So, let me explain.

You were at a social gathering last night wearing the one suit that isn’t at the cleaners. Now you need it for worship, but it stinks of stale tobacco.

Or maybe your boss has called asking if you can come in on your day off since two colleagues have just phoned in sick. The trouble is, you cleared out your locker last night and tossed everything in the hamper, planning to do the laundry today. Your uniform now carries the same pungent stench as your old socks.

In other words, it could happen to anyone, and there are countless more scenarios as to how.

But one thing is certain: none of us wear dirty clothes out of choice. It’s usually an emergency that needs a quick fix.

First, I’ll show you how to get bad smells out of clothes within 30 minutes in case you’re in a hurry. Then I’ll move on to methods that are more time-consuming but still useful depending on the fabric and type of smell.

Additionally, a quick reference table at the end of this post outlines each method, the time required, the odors it removes, and the fabrics it works best with.

Six No-Wash Fixes to Remove Odor from Clothes in 30 Minutes

You obviously can’t be prepared for an emergency, so listed below are six quick fixes to ensure that you have at hand the supplies needed for at least one of these.

Of course, if you have a commercial fabric odor removal spray like Sweat X Sport Extreme Odor Eliminator, this will be faster and more efficient than any of the fixes listed below. For men who often find themselves in such a situation, I recommend investing in such a product.

But I strongly advise against spraying your clothes with anti-perspirant deodorant, which is designed to block sweat glands and not neutralize odors. Apart from that, it can leave yellow stains and cause fabric damage. I know, I’ve tried it.

1. White Vinegar Mist

Misting your smelly garments with white vinegar is the most effective of our quick fixes, especially for strong odors. It kills bacteria and neutralizes even deep-set smells rather than just masking them.

The vinegar aroma dissipates once it has dried, so don’t worry that you’ll end up with an odor as uninviting as the one you’re trying to get rid of. And being colorless, it doesn’t stain.

Another plus point is that vinegar relaxes fibers, so it may smooth garments that have been crumpled in the laundry hamper or your gym bag.

Use it to quickly get rid of:

• sweat and body odor
• tobacco and barbeque smoke
• cooking smells
• cologne and fragrance overload
• mothball odor
• chemical and dry-cleaning odors

How It’s Done

First, dilute the vinegar in a spray bottle according to the degree of odor you wish to neutralize:

• Mild odors: One part vinegar and three parts water
• Strong odors: One part vinegar and two parts water
• Spot treatment: Equal parts vinegar and water (great for stubborn underarm odor or similar)

Lightly mist the clothing and hang to air dry, at best in front of a fan or outside.

If the garment isn’t completely dry by the time you need it, do one of the following:

• Tumble dry it on a low, air-only setting.
• Use a hairdryer on a cool or warm setting (never hot), moving it around briskly to prevent fabric damage.

Do Not Use Vinegar on These Fabrics

• Silk
• Wool
• Cashmere
• Velvet
• Lace and chiffon (rarely applicable in menswear)

With the exception of wool, the only suitable quick fix for these fabrics is steam, which we’ll come to later.

2. Vodka Spray

Use vodka in the same way as white vinegar, but don’t dilute it.

It’s generally not as effective on strong odors but is particularly good against mustiness in clothes that have been in storage. Rather than bacteria, we’re talking here about smells caused by humidity and moisture, poor airflow, temperature fluctuations, and dust.

Vodka is also more effective than vinegar for synthetics and is safe for wool. This is ideal if you want to deodorize a wool-polyester suit, for example.

A further advantage: due to its alcohol content, vodka evaporates more quickly than vinegar. And like vinegar, its smell dissipates as soon as it has dried.

In case you decide to use a hair or tumble dryer to speed up evaporation, keep these on a cool setting since vodka is flammable.

3. Lemon Juice

Use lemon juice in the same way as vinegar, including dilution ratios. But don’t think it works as efficiently as vinegar.

 Although it breaks down odors and bacteria, its effect is milder.

It will also leave a citrus scent, whereas the smell of vinegar dissipates completely.

And although lemon juice can lighten stains and brighten fabrics, its bleaching properties may fade dark clothing. Personally, I’d only use it on whites unless I really had nothing else at hand.

Source: The Neat and Tidy Man

4. Steam Treatment

Steam is suitable for all fabrics. And if you have a garment steamer, it’s a lot quicker than vinegar or vodka. I have one that can steam hanging garments as well as press clothes in the same way as a conventional iron, which is practical for travel.

I find steam most helpful for delicate fabrics, particularly my velvet jacket, which is prone to absorbing and retaining the smell of tobacco smoke.

To use, place the garment on a hanger and move the steamer systematically from top to bottom, keeping a distance of about three inches. You may have to go over thicker fabrics more than once. Allow the garment five to 10 minutes to dry.

If you don’t have a steamer, hang the item in a steamy bathroom for five to 15 minutes. You can do this while showering or bathing.

5. Tumble Drying

Tumble drying is effective against sweat, mustiness, smoke, and food smells. But it won’t work if the odor is too pungent.

Apart from that, not all fabrics are suitable for tumble drying—check the garment’s care tab first.

To enhance the deodorizing effect of tumble drying, add a dryer sheet for a fresh scent to help mask the odor.

Or try the damp towel trick: simply place your smelly item of clothing in the dryer together with a damp towel and set at medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes.

Add a dryer sheet for even better results. Alternatively, apply a couple of drops of essential oil to the towel; lavender will leave a manly fragrance (think shaving soap and mustache wax). Or go for a ready-made blend with a name like “linen” or “cotton.” These are designed to mimic the fresh, clean aroma of freshly laundered fabrics.

6. Essential Oil Mist

Of our six quick fixes, this logically fits into position four. But fewer men are likely to have suitable essential oils at hand, and its preparation is more elaborate.

Misting with essential oils is also somewhat risky unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Use the wrong oil or too much, and your garment will end up smelling worse than it did before.

But done properly, an essential oil mist will neutralize nasty smells rather than just masking them. And, like a commercial odor removal spray, the effect is instant. Use it for body odor and mustiness.

To avoid staining your clothes, apply only light-colored oils. For a long-lasting, manly aroma, I’d suggest lavender, sandalwood, or cedarwood. If you’d prefer something zestier, bergamot is less likely to leave stains than other citrus oils. Alternatively, try a ready-made blend as mentioned above.

Diluting Essential Oils

Fill a spray bottle with 120 mL of water, preferably distilled.

Pour in one tablespoon of vodka or witch hazel to disperse the oil.

Add 12 drops of essential oil for a mild dilution. If it’s not strong enough, increase by three to five drops at a time. To mask and neutralize pungent odors, you may need up to 72 drops, but be very, very careful.

Test on the garment in a small, hidden area. In case of staining, adjust the dilution by adding more water.

For maximum safety, I’d suggest indirect application. This means misting the air around the fabric rather than spraying it directly.

Combining Methods

Depending on how much time you have and what you have at hand, try combining some of the above methods for improved efficacy. For example, hang a garment you’ve treated with vodka in a steamy bathroom, which will also help remove creases. Or tumble dry clothes you’ve misted with vinegar. Just be sure both methods are compatible and suitable for the fabric you’re deodorizing.

The quick reference table at the end of this post may help with this.

Source: Pexels

More Ways to Remove Odor From Clothes Without Washing

If you’re in less of a hurry but still need a particular garment before you can get to a washing machine or dry cleaner, try one of the following methods.

Airing Out

When washing isn’t an option, hanging clothes in the fresh air is the next best thing for odor removal—and it’s suitable for all fabrics.

Hang in an outdoor space for three to six hours to get rid of the following smells:

• Mustiness
• Smoke
• Food smells
• Body odor
• Cologne and fragrance overload

For body odor, hang in the sun to kill bacteria. However, be cautious with silk and rayon, as strong sunlight can weaken and damage these fabrics.

If the odor persists, combine fresh air with vinegar, vodka, or essential oil misting, depending on the fabric.

If you can’t hang your clothes outside, a well-ventilated indoor space may also be effective.

Baking Soda

If you have a couple of hours to spare, baking soda will absorb smoke and mustiness.

Sprinkle it directly over the fabric and allow to sit for one to two hours.

Baking soda is suitable for most textiles, but not velvet, from which it is practically impossible to brush out completely. As a result, the fabric may become dry, lose its softness, and appear less lustrous.

Activated Charcoal

Taking a few days to several weeks to eliminate odors, activated charcoal is by no means a quick fix. But it may work as such combined with baking soda. This is useful for strong, persistent odors caused by chemicals or dampness.

Sprinkle the garment with baking soda and place in a well-ventilated storage space or container. Deposit ready-made bags of charcoal granules near to the item, but not directly on it, as charcoal dust could otherwise transfer.

Due to indirect exposure (no direct contact with the garment), charcoal is suitable for all fabrics.

Freezing

A great way of removing body odor and mustiness within 12 to 24 hours is by freezing.

Simply place the garment in a plastic bag and store in the freezer overnight.

This method is suitable for cotton, denim, and most synthetic blends.

But it’s not good for wool, rayon, and silk since it can alter their fiber structure, leading to stiffness, shrinkage, or even breakage.

Quick Reference Table: Removing Odor from Clothes Without Washing

Method	Time to Work	Suitable Fabrics	Unsuitable Fabrics	Odors Removed
White Vinegar Mist	Until dry	Most fabrics	Silk, wool, cashmere, velvet	Strong odors, especially sweat, mustiness, smoke
Vodka Spray	Until dry	Most fabrics	Dark, delicate fabrics	Sweat, mustiness
Lemon Juice	Until dry	Light fabrics	May cause fading	Sweat, mustiness
Steam Treatment	5 – 15 minutes	Most fabrics	Waterproof and coated fabrics	Sweat, mustiness, smoke, food and cooking odors
Tumble Drying	10 – 15 minutes	See garment care-tab	Elastic fibers and delicate fabrics like wool and silk	Sweat, mustiness, smoke, food and cooking odors
Essential Oil Mist	Until dry	Cotton, denim, linen, polyester and synthetic blends	Delicate fabrics like wool and silk, waterproof or coated fabrics	Sweat, mustiness, smoke, food and cooking odors
Airing Out	3 – 6 hours	Most fabrics	N/A	Most odors
Baking Soda Absorption	1 – 2 hours	Most fabrics	Velvet	Mustiness, smoke
Activated Charcoal	A few days to several weeks	All fabrics	N/A	Persistent odors caused by chemicals and dampness
Freezing	12 – 24 hours	Cotton, denim, linen, most synthetic blends	Delicate fabrics including wool, silk, rayon	Sweat and other bacterial odors

© 2025, J. Richardson. All rights reserved.