10 Practical Ways To Remove Food Odors From Your Clothes

Food smells on clothes can be a real nuisance. It’s not fun to realize your favorite shirt smells like last night’s dinner or that your work uniform reeks of French fries. These odors can be tough to get rid of, especially if you don’t know the right tricks. They can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, whether you’re heading to work, school, or just hanging out with friends.

In this blog, I’ll share 10 practical methods that anyone can use to get rid of these stubborn smells.

Vinegar soak

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Vinegar is excellent for removing food smells from clothes. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a bucket. Soak your smelly clothes in this mixture for about 30 minutes. After soaking, wash the clothes as usual in your washing machine.

Baking soda sprinkle

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Baking soda can absorb bad odors from your clothes. Lay your smelly clothes flat and sprinkle baking soda all over them. Let the baking soda sit on the clothes for a few hours or overnight. Then, shake off the baking soda and wash the clothes normally.

Outdoor airing

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Fresh air can work wonders for smelly clothes. Hang your clothes outside on a clothesline or drying rack. Leave them in the sun and breeze for several hours. The fresh air will help remove odors, and the sun can kill bacteria that cause smells.

Vodka spray

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Vodka can help remove food smells from clothes. Put some vodka in a spray bottle and lightly spray it on the smelly parts of your clothes. Let the clothes air dry completely. The alcohol in vodka will help kill odor-causing bacteria without leaving its own smell.

Coffee grounds

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Coffee grounds can absorb bad smells from your clothes. Put your smelly clothes in a large plastic bag with some dry coffee grounds. Seal the bag and let it sit overnight. The coffee grounds will absorb the food odors, leaving your clothes smelling fresh.

Lemon juice soak

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Lemon juice can help remove food odors from clothes. Mix the juice of one lemon with a cup of water. Soak the smelly parts of your clothes in this mixture for about an hour. Then wash your clothes as usual in the washing machine.

Essential oil wash

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Essential oils can add a nice smell to your clothes. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to your regular laundry detergent. Wash your clothes as normal in the washing machine. The essential oil will help mask any leftover food smells.

Freezer method

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Freezing can help remove odors from clothes that can’t be washed easily. Put your smelly clothes in a plastic bag and seal it tight. Place the bag in your freezer overnight. The cold temperature will kill odor-causing bacteria.

Vinegar and baking soda wash

Image Credit: “Beginning a no-shampoo experiment. Baking soda instead of shampoo, apple cider vinegar for conditioner.” by jessica mullen is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Combining vinegar and baking soda can be very effective for removing smells. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your washing machine with your clothes. Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment. Run a normal wash cycle with these added ingredients.

Charcoal absorber

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Activated charcoal can absorb odors from your clothes. Put some activated charcoal in a breathable bag or container. Place this near your smelly clothes in a closed space, like a wardrobe. Leave it for a day or two to absorb the food odors.

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Diana Tablan

Diana Tablan is a seasoned writer who loves to explore fun lifestyle topics and various human interest stories. During her free time, she enjoys reading, painting, and cooking. Diana’s writings can be found in several popular online magazines in Canada and the US.