How to Get Smells Out of Clothes

Most clothing smells can be removed with applications of baking soda or vinegar, but some tough odors may require extra cleaning steps with heavy-duty liquid detergent or household ammonia. Choose a commercial odor remover like Downy Rinse & Refresh or remove odors from laundry using items straight from the pantry.

Removing Odors Quickly Without Washing 

You can quickly remove mild odors from clothing by filling a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar, plus a few drops of an essential oil like lavender. Spray it onto your clothing and allow it to air dry. You can also pop your articles in question into the dryer with scented dryer sheets. Or, hang clothing outside in the sunlight and allow the UV rays to kill the microorganisms causing the stench in the first place.