How to (Easily) Remove Chemical Odors From New Clothes | LoveToKnow (2024)

How to Remove Chemical Odor From New Clothes

Clothing manufacturers typically use harsh chemicals like formaldehyde on new clothing to keep them from mildewing and wrinkling. However, that can leave your new clothing with a lingering smell. To get rid of this smell on your machine-washable clothing, you can try borax or baking soda.

Removing Chemical Odor With Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the first go tos for many people looking to get rid of that chemical smell on their new clothes.

1. Fill a bucket or sink with water.

2. Add 2 cups of baking soda and soak the clothing overnight.

3. Wash the clothing as normal, adding ½ cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle.

Removing Chemical Odors on New Clothes With Borax

Another home remedy you can try for getting rid of the chemical smell on your new washable clothing is borax.

1. Add ½ cup to the wash cycle.

2. Wash as normal.

How to Get Rid of Chemical Smell in Jeans

When it comes to your smelly new jeans, you can also give borax or baking soda a try. However, you have a few other options too.

Handwash With Castile Soap

Castile soap can be safe for your jeans and work to strip chemical odors from your clothing.

1. In a bucket or sink, add ½ cup of castile soap.

2. Allow the jeans to soak for 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Wash the jeans by hand.

4. Rinse until all the suds are gone.

Soak in White Vinegar

The acetic acid in white vinegar can be enough to break down the smells in your jeans to wipe them out.

1. Fill a sink or bucket with cold water and add 2 cups of white vinegar.

2. Soak the jeans for about 60 minutes.

3. Rinse and dry.

Using Oxygen Bleach for Chemical Odors on New Clothes

You never want to use chlorine bleach on your new jeans, but color safe oxygen bleach is a whole different ballgame. Oxygen bleach, like Oxiclean, can work great to get those chemicals buried deep in the fivers of your jeans.

1. Use the recommended amount of oxygen bleach on the box (typically a scoop).

2. Add this to water to create a soak.

3. Add the jeans and soak them overnight.

4. Wash as normal.

How to Get Chemical Smell Out of New Clothes Without Washing

Dry clean only clothes leave a whole new problem to solve. Since you can't just throw them in the washer to get rid of the chemicals. Instead, you have to think a bit more outside of the box unless you want to take them to the dry cleaner.

Removing New Clothes Smells With Baking Soda

When it comes to your dry clean only clothing, baking soda is one of your greatest weapons.

1. Put your smelly clothing on a hanger.

2. Fill the bottom of a garbage bag with baking soda.

3. Pull the bag over the clothing.

4. Tie the garbage bag around the hanger.

5. Allow the baking soda to pull the smell from the clothing for several days.

Removing New Clothing Chemical Smells With UV

Another way to break down the chemical smells on your dry clean only clothing is to air it out.

1. Put the clothing on a hanger.

2. Hang it outside to air out until the smell disappears.

Using Vodka to Remove Chemical Smells

Vodka is more for just drinking if you don't have time to wash your clothing to eliminate those chemical odors.

1. Pour high-proof (70+) cheap vodka into a spray bottle.

2. Spray the garment.

3. Allow it to dry.

Absorbing the Smell With Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds can remove chemical smells from new clothes.

1. Place coffee grounds in a brown paper bag.

2. Wrap your clothing in tissue paper and put it in the bag with the clothing.

3. Roll up the bag and let it sit for a day or so.

How to Remove New Clothes Chemical Odors

Chemical odors in your new clothes come from a wide variety of chemicals used by manufacturers to keep them wrinkle-free and resistant to stains. However, it's not so great for your skin and respiratory system. Therefore, you can try these methods or use even more tips to make your laundry smell good.