HOW TO GET ODORS OUT OF CLOTHES
Dealing with strong smells lingering on your clothes can be a challenge, however, proper cleaning methods can help remove odors and keep clothes smelling their best. Keep reading to find helpful tips for cleaning your clothes and a step-by-step guide on how to help treat specific odors.
WHAT SHOULD YOU USE TO REMOVE ODOR FROM CLOTHES?
The method you choose for removing odors from clothes will depend on the source of the odor and the type of material you’re cleaning. Some odors can be treated using laundry detergent or a baking soda and vinegar combination, while others may need special care. Ammonia, dish soap, borax and bleach are a few other cleaning solutions that may help remove odors from clothes. But never mix ammonia and bleach together, as it is toxic.
CAN BAKING SODA REMOVE ODORS FROM CLOTHES?
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can be used to help remove odors from smelly clothes. Use baking soda during your laundry routine by adding the recommended amount of detergent and around half a cup of baking soda to a dirty load. If smells persist, create a paste using water and baking soda and work it directly into the garment.
Always refer to clothing care labels and appliance manuals for specific cleaning instructions.
DOES RUBBING ALCOHOL REMOVE ODOR FROM CLOTHES?
Rubbing alcohol can be helpful when it comes to pretreating stains from certain types of fabrics and surfaces, but it may not be as helpful for removing odors. Always refer to your garment’s care label before treating clothes with rubbing alcohol. Never place items cleaned with rubbing alcohol in the washer or dryer unless they’ve been thoroughly rinsed first and ensure the items are kept away from flammable substances.
DOES STEAM REMOVE ODORS FROM CLOTHES?
Clothing steamers penetrate fabrics and loosen clothing fibers, which can help remove odors, wrinkles and more. Before using steam to clean clothes, refer to the item’s care label to be sure it can be treated with steam.
REMOVING 7 ODORS FROM CLOTHES: A GUIDE
If you’re dealing with smelly clothes or notice a distinct smell lingering on your favorite garment, there are a few ways you may be able to tackle the odor. Keep reading to discover how to help remove specific types of odors from your clothes, but always check your garment’s care tag first.
1. BODY ODOR
If you’re having trouble removing body odors from clothes even after a normal wash cycle, other methods may be able to help. A baking soda and vinegar mixture, specialized detergent or laundry booster can help neutralize the smell. Be sure to rinse your garments of any vinegar residue before adding it to the wash.
2. PET ODOR
You may be able to remove some pet odors from clothes just by adding fabric softener or laundry boosters to a load of laundry. However, for more persistent odors, consider adding baking soda before washing clothes or use enzyme-based laundry products to help break down odor molecules.
Pesky pet hair can be a contributing factor to unpleasant smells lingering on your clothes. The Maytag® Pet Pro System features a washer equipped with a Pet Pro Filter that removes 5x more pet hair1 while the XL lint trap in the dryer traps and removes additional pet hair.
3. SWEAT ODOR
There are a few methods that may be helpful when it comes to removing sweat odors or stains from clothes. Create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, a baking soda paste or try soaking your garment in a vinegar and water solution before washing as directed to help remove sweat smells. Always rinse your garment of all vinegar residue before adding it to the wash.
4. MILDEW ODOR
To combat mildew odors on clothes, run the items through a hot wash cycle using fragrance boosters or odor-controlling laundry detergents to help remove the smell. Be sure to refer to the care label for ideal wash temperatures and care instructions so your clothes receive an optimal clean.
5. URINE ODOR
Enzyme-based laundry detergents may help remove urine odors, like dog or cat pee, from clothes. You can also try to use deep-cleaning detergents during a hot wash cycle to remove the smell. Always refer to care labels and specific instructions found on the back of cleaning products to determine how to clean your clothes appropriately.
6. GASOLINE SMELL
To remove gasoline odors from clothes, start by blotting the area with a paper towel before sprinkling baking soda on top of it and letting it soak into the clothing for about 24 hours. Rinse the baking soda with water and treat the spot with a stain remover.
You can also try applying dish soap to the affected area and allowing it to sit for 10 minutes, or using small amounts of household ammonia, baking soda or vinegar to help neutralize the smell. Never use vinegar and ammonia together, however, as it is toxic.
Clothing that’s been in contact with gasoline should always be washed by hand. Never put any clothes that smell like gas in the washer or dryer, and keep away from any flammable substances. And always check your care tags before treatment.
7. FOOD ODORS
If the smell of last night’s meal isn’t coming out of your clothes even after a normal wash cycle, consider air drying your items outside on a clothesline. You can also try soaking the clothes in a baking soda and water solution. Mix one cup of baking soda with four cups of hot water and allow the clothes to soak for around four hours before washing as directed.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® WASHERS
Maytag® washers come with powerful cleaning features that help you take control of laundry day. Select models feature the Deep Fill option, which uses extra water and robust wash action to saturate loads, loosen stains and help soak away tough messes. When it’s time for laundry day, you can count on Maytag.
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1. Comparing Normal cycle with Pet Pro Filter and option to cycle using traditional agitator without Pet Pro Filter and option. Results will vary based on fabric and type of pet hair.
