How to remove the second-hand smell from clothes: folk methods and household chemicals

Removing the second-hand smell from things is not always easy. Usually, such a problem arises before everyone who decides to purchase a new thing in stock.

What does second-hand things smell like?

In second-hand shops, things are processed in processing plants by chemical action using formaldehyde and steam. Treatment with such compounds destroys bacteria, fungus, parasitic insects and everything that could be transferred to a potential owner from a previous host.

After such chemical prophylaxis, a characteristic obsessive odor remains, which can persist for a long time and "infect" other things in the closet. Therefore, after returning from second hand, purchased items should not be sent to a permanent storage location until they have been washed.

Features of removing the smell of second-hand from things

To remove the formaldehyde odor, regular washing with powder is not enough. We need additional funds, the choice of which is quite wide. Depending on the fabric, second-hand items can be processed in one way or another. So, from light materials such as silk or chintz, a specific smell can be removed much faster, but a woolen or knitted thing will require more effort.

How to remove the smell of second-hand clothes from clothes using folk methods

There are many good folk remedies that people come across in everyday life. They are completely safe, cheap and therefore they can be used without fear for the thing itself or the health of its owner.

How to remove second-hand smell from clothes with ammonia

It is necessary to prepare a solution by adding 10% ammonia to the water. Dilute 5 ml per 1 liter of water. If the item is too large, you can use 10 liters of water and 50 ml of ammonia. It is advisable to add 5-6 drops of any essential oil - fir, mint, lavender to give the second-hand clothes a more pleasant aroma.

So, you need to pour slightly warm water into a basin, pour in essential oil and ammonia. Lower things, how to immerse them, wrinkling them with your palms. Leave everything as it is for a few hours. The ammonia makes the color brighter, the fabric is more pleasant to the touch, does not deform the relief and helps to remove the obtrusive smell.

Approximate soak time (varies by fabric):

  • cotton, chintz - 1 hour;
  • flax - 3 hours;
  • wool - 5;
  • jeans - 8;
  • drape - 9.

After the recommended time, things are wrung out and dried in a ventilated place for 1-2 days. It is imperative to wash things after second-hand with powder. After processing, use the usual mode, rinse and dry.

Important! You can remove the smell with the help of ammonia not only from clothes, but also from shoes.Sneakers, fabric slippers, or non-leather shoes can be soaked in a solution of ammonia and then rinsed with powder. Leather shoes are not washed, but limited to wiping and thoroughly ventilated in an open place.

How to remove the smell of second-hand clothes with soda

Regular baking soda is also great for removing odors. You can try this composition:

  • half a glass of baking soda;
  • a pile of salt;
  • a shot of vinegar;
  • 8 liters of warm water.
Recommended reading:  Baking soda: useful properties, application, how to take

Mix everything well and dissolve. Leave the item for 3 hours, then wash it with powder as usual.

If we are talking about shoes, then you can simply sprinkle them abundantly with soda powder. Soda will help not only remove the smell, but also disinfect second-hand shoes.

Leave it for a couple of days, then vacuum and ventilate well.

How to remove the smell of second-hand clothes with salt

Salt helps a lot, but there is only one condition: it must be flavored. This salt is available in many departments of household chemicals supermarkets. It is better to choose a coniferous, lavender, lemon or sea scent, as they are the most persistent. Dissolve 500 g of salt in 1 liter of water. Since the crystals are large, they will not completely dissolve, but that's okay. You need to rub things with salt and soak for half an hour.

After that, prepare a second solution of 5 liters of water and a large glass of salt. Things are dipped into the solution for another couple of hours. Then they are wrung out, washed in the usual way with washing powder. Dried on the balcony or on the street - this way you can remove an unpleasant smell.

How to clean second-hand items with vinegar

Vinegar has long been considered a powerful neutralizer of odors of various origins. You need to take 100 ml of vinegar and 5 liters of warm water. Dip the thing in this solution and leave it for 4 hours. Then squeeze out and wash as usual with powder. Air dry, preferably in a draft. The only condition is to pay attention to the fabric. Very thin lace, guipure, chiffon or silk can become deformed.

Important! Sometimes soda is added to the vinegar. This is justified if the smell is strong. You can immediately pour a few tablespoons of soda and a glass of vinegar into the compartment with the powder.

How to remove second-hand smell from clothes using coffee

This method is an excellent alternative to "raw" methods, suitable for materials that cannot be wetted. Leather, suede, fur, fluff - all this is well deodorized with ordinary coffee beans.

It is best to prefer whole grains as they provide a more persistent flavor than instant grains. The grains are ground with a coffee grinder, meat grinder or blender, tied in a simple cloth. Second-hand items are sent in a large package (it is better to take Zipp Locke on the lock), and put a bag of coffee there. Close and remove for several days, usually 5-10 days. Leather and suede wears out faster, but fur can be put on for a maximum period of several months.

How to get rid of the second-hand smell with herbs

Medicinal herbs have long been the best flavoring agents. You can take such a fee. Tie the leaves of mint, chamomile, yarrow, linden, sage, lavender, oregano in a cloth bag or gauze, put in a large bag. Put things from second-hand there too. As a rule, two days is enough to remove the smell. Instead of herbs, you can take black currant leaves, clove and cinnamon spices. Orange peels also have a good deodorizing effect.

You can create your own aroma composition yourself, adding what you like as you wish.

Important! Instead of herbs, you can use essential flower oils. To do this, a cotton pad is soaked in some drops and wrapped in a thing. Not suitable for very light-colored clothes, as the oil can stain them.

Steam ironing

A light, not too obtrusive smell from fabrics such as chintz can be tried to be removed using regular steam ironing by adding a little essential oil to the dispenser with water.This ironing is very effective because the hot air not only evaporates the smell, but also disinfects the item.

Important! When working with an iron and things treated with chemicals, poisonous vapor is emitted from second-hand goods, which is dangerous to inhale. It is necessary to provide good ventilation, or even better - wear a medical mask on your face.

Toilet soap

When it comes to fabrics such as organza or crepe de Chine, ironing is not the best solution. You can use scented bar soap. The soap is grated and placed in a bag with small holes. You can deliberately pierce it with a fork in several places so that the pleasant aroma spreads on things and deodorizes them. The bag and second-hand clothes are placed in a large bag and left for 5-6 days.

Laundry soap

You can remove the second-hand smell from clothes with laundry soap. Things are first soaked in vinegar and water. After two hours, they are rubbed well with brown laundry soap and left for another two hours. Then they are washed in the usual mode with washing powder and rinsed. Dried in the open air.

Low temperature

Cold temperatures can be used. To do this, things bought in second-hand must be placed in a bag and sent to the freezer. 4-7 days are enough for the thing to freshen up. In winter, you can weather your clothes on the balcony for about the same number of days. You need to dry it at home, but away from batteries and radiators. The same can be done with shoes, but with a slight caveat. Lacquered, dermantine shoes will crack at very low temperatures.

Important! Second-hand items should not be placed in the freezer with food.

Gels and shampoos

Sometimes a simple soak in a nice-smelling gel or shampoo can work wonders. The same can be said about fabric softener, which, contrary to the rules, can be used not only after washing, but also before.

How to remove the smell of second-hand with specialized products

Second-hand odors can also be removed with special products. There are several ways here too.

Deodorant for fabric

You can find fabric deodorant in supermarkets. Its clear advantage lies in the fact that in addition to refreshing, it also has antibacterial properties. These sprays can disinfect clothes, soften them, refresh them and make them more comfortable to wear. The deodorant is sprayed 30 cm from things in 2-3 passes. This method is only good for light fabrics, for "heavy" materials and massive products it is less effective.

Domestos

Domestos, a specialized sanitary ware cleaner, copes with various odors without any problems. You can add it when washing white items in the powder compartment and wash the item. It is not recommended to wash colored clothes with Domestos, as it will corrode the color of the fabric.

Lenor

A fragrant fabric softener not only refreshes clothes and makes them pleasant to the touch, but also removes stubborn odors. The only thing to do is add a double dose of the product.

Flavored Powders

Washing powders with aromatic additives such as Tide, Ariel, Persil are very good at removing odors and refreshing things.

Dry cleaning by professionals

Sometimes it happens that it is not possible to remove the smell of second-hand without washing at home. As a rule, we are talking about heavy things that cannot be washed. For example, fur coats. In this case, it remains only to hand over the item to dry cleaning. This is not cheap, but practical, since it will get rid of the smell of the thing itself, save the rest of the wardrobe where such a fur coat is stored. Also, dry cleaning will provide an aesthetic appearance and form integrity.

Important! Natural materials get rid of the stench of formaldehyde much easier than synthetics. Faux fur is also problematic. It is not difficult to process second-hand shoes, but it is important to air them well and for a long time.

Conclusion

Removing the smell of second-hand clothes from clothes is not a difficult task.It is important to choose exactly the tool that is suitable for a particular product. Then the issues related to dry cleaning will disappear by themselves.

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