Best way to remove scent from clothing?

[Longtime Lurker]

I have been searching for some summer weight capris/pants and finally found a couple of pairs that I like at a local resale store. The ones I tried at retail stores were all too high-rise to feel comfortable. So these new pants are incredibly comfortable and look nice (I think) as well. However, they smell of scented detergent which tends to make me feel a little nauseous. If others are wearing scented clothing, I am okay, but not if it is on my own body all day long. So I have washed them twice and then added vinegar (2 cups) to the washer and soaked for a while and, while they are much improved, they are still not quite unscented enough. Any ideas? Would it work to soak them in straight vinegar for a while? The smell of vinegar does not bother me.

Edited July 5, 2021 by Longtime Lurker
punctuation

[Katy]

I’d probably handwash them using dawn dish soap, then throw them in the washer again to get the dawn out. 

[Mrskitty76]

You might try throwing some baking soda in when you wash them. I know that works on slippers!

[prairiewindmomma]

We have had good luck with enzymatic cleaners like Biokleen's Bac-Out, or Persil laundry detergent.  We have had this issue this year as well, when we were given highly scented clothes.  It took a wash, then a soak in enzymatic cleaner, then another wash and it was fine.

[Longtime Lurker]

20 minutes ago, Katy said:

I’d probably handwash them using dawn dish soap, then throw them in the washer again to get the dawn out. 

Thanks! Will the dawn scent wash out easily?

[Longtime Lurker]

9 minutes ago, Mrskitty76 said:

You might try throwing some baking soda in when you wash them. I know that works on slippers!

Good idea! I will try this!

[fraidycat]

You can try stripping them.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/laundry-stripping-recipe-borax_l_5f72566dc5b6e99dc3310b4a

 

[Longtime Lurker]

9 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

We have had good luck with enzymatic cleaners like Biokleen's Bac-Out, or Persil laundry detergent.  We have had this issue this year as well, when we were given highly scented clothes.  It took a wash, then a soak in enzymatic cleaner, then another wash and it was fine.

Thanks! I am getting lots of great options here!

[Longtime Lurker]

1 minute ago, fraidycat said:

You can try stripping them.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/laundry-stripping-recipe-borax_l_5f72566dc5b6e99dc3310b4a

 

Interesting! And I have a top-loading washer so I won't have to use the bathtub 🙂

[MEmama]

I’ve found hanging them in the sunshine helps. Of course, that only works in summertime.

[marbel]

I've found it depends on how persistent the scent is. I bought some jeans once that I could never get the smell out, despite soaking in baking soda, numerous washing, hanging outside for over a week.  

But a quilt my sister made me, that made me ill on the drive home even though it was in a plastic bag in the far back of a Suburban... only took a wash with baking soda, then a couple days hanging outside, then another wash to be fine. 

I have found hanging outside is really the best.

 

[itsheresomewhere]

Add Biokleen bac out to the wash and hang outside.  

[DawnM]

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.  😂

[KungFuPanda]

I’d try soaking in ammonia just like you did the vinegar. I think it removes scent better. I use it to clean my carpets because the detergent for the steamer leaves too much lingering scent. Yes, it smells like ammonia, but once it’s dry there’s no smell at all. 

[regentrude]

Line dry outside in the sun. Dryer tends to set smells.

Edited July 5, 2021 by regentrude

[Longtime Lurker]

Thank you so much, everyone, for the ideas! I think I will start with baking soda plus drying in the sun, since I can do that without going out to get additional products. If that doesn't work, I will try some of the other ideas like ammonia and/or Biokleen. 

I will report back with results 🙂

[Longtime Lurker]

Soaking/washing in baking soda plus hang-drying in the sun worked!!! Thank you for all the suggestions! I have made note of the other suggestions, too, like ammonia and Biokleen. I am quite scent-sensitive so I am glad to have a toolbox of ideas at the ready.