Few smells are as pungent and off-putting as the harsh odour of bleach lingering on clothing. Whether it’s from accidental spills, over-bleaching, or improper rinsing, that chlorine-based chemical aroma can be incredibly difficult to remove once it has permeated fabric fibres. But don’t throw in the towel just yet – with some simple household ingredients and a bit of elbow grease, you can banish bleachy whiffs and restore your garments to their fresh, clean-smelling glory.
The Causes of Bleach Odors on Clothes
Before we dive into odour removal methods, it’s helpful to understand what causes bleach smells to cling so tenaciously to fabrics in the first place. Bleach is a powerful oxidizing agent containing sodium hypochlorite that helps remove stains and brighten clothes through chemical reactions. However, if not properly rinsed away, bleach residues get trapped in fibres, resulting in that harsh chlorine odour.
Additionally, using too much bleach, bleaching at incorrect water temperatures, or leaving clothes soaking too long can increase bleach saturation and lead to stronger, more lingering odours. Certain fabric types like cotton and linen are also more prone to retaining smells compared to synthetic blends.
7 Effective Methods to Eliminate Bleach Smells
1. Baking Soda
The trusty sodium bicarbonate found in baking soda is a fantastic absorber of odours, making it ideal for getting rid of persistent bleach whiffs. Simply add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the clothes washer drum or soak the affected clothes in a baking soda solution before running a fresh wash cycle – the baking soda will help neutralize and remove the smell-causing molecules.
To make a baking soda soak solution, dissolve 1 cup of baking soda in 4 litres of warm water. Submerge the smelly garments and allow them to soak for at least 4-6 hours, or overnight for severe odours. Then wash as normal with your regular detergent.
2. White Vinegar
Like baking soda, vinegar is another odour-fighting all-star thanks to its deodorizing acidity. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to your wash during the rinse cycle, or soak smelly clothes in undiluted vinegar for 30 minutes before washing as usual. The vinegar’s pungent yet harmless scent may seem off-putting initially, but it will dissipate as the clothes dry, leaving them fresh.
For extra odour-eliminating power, you can create a vinegar soak solution by mixing 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts warm water. Let clothes soak for 1-2 hours before transferring to the washing machine.
3. Enzymatic Cleaners
Containing protein compounds called enzymes that help break down tough stains and odours, enzymatic cleaners can also be highly effective against tenacious bleach smells. Look for products specifically marketed as “odour removers” and follow the instructions for soaking or pretreating clothes before washing.
Popular enzymatic cleaner brands for odour removal include Biz, Persil, and Biokleen. Many contain specialized enzymes that target odour molecules at the molecular level.
4. Activated Charcoal
With its incredible absorptive properties, activated charcoal makes an excellent natural odour remover. Add a few charcoal briquettes or a charcoal filter pouch to the washing machine drum, or soak smelly garments in a solution of water mixed with powdered activated charcoal before washing.
You can find activated charcoal products designed specifically for laundry odour removal, like the Smelly Proof Bags or Zero Odor pouches.
5. Air It Out
Sometimes the simplest solutions are best. Hanging bleach-scented clothes out in direct sunlight and fresh air can help the odours dissipate more quickly, thanks to UV light’s sanitizing effects and air circulation. Turn garments inside-out and allow plenty of time in the sun to fully air out.
The combination of sunlight, heat, and airflow works to release trapped odour molecules from fabric fibres. This natural method is gentle yet effective for mild bleach smells.
6. Odor-Eliminating Laundry Products
From odour-eliminating laundry detergents to scent-boosting beads and in-wash sprays, numerous specialized laundry products aim to tackle tough smells. Look for versions specially formulated to remove chemical and bleach odours and follow usage instructions carefully.
Some top-rated bleach odour removal products include:
- Tide Odor Rescue Laundry Enhancer
- OxiClean Odor Blasters
- Zero Odor Laundry Odor Eliminator
- Win Green Eco-Friendly Odor Eliminator
7. Enzymatic Cleaners
Containing protein compounds called enzymes that help break down tough stains and odours, enzymatic cleaners can also be highly effective against tenacious bleach smells. Look for products specifically marketed as “odour removers” and follow the instructions for soaking or pretreating clothes before washing.
Popular enzymatic cleaner brands for odour removal include Biz, Persil, and Biokleen. Many contain specialized enzymes that target odour molecules at the molecular level.
Tips to Prevent Future Bleach Odors
While the methods above can help eliminate existing bleach odours, preventing them from occurring in the first place is ideal. Follow these tips for proper bleach usage:
- Use bleach sparingly and only as needed – stick to product recommendations on amounts.
- Never pour bleach directly onto dry clothing as it increases odour absorption. Dilute first in the washer.
- Check clothing shortly after beginning the wash cycle. If there is no excess bleach in the water, rewash immediately.
- Ensure clothes undergo multiple full rinse cycles to fully flush out bleach residues.
- Avoid leaving clothes soaking too long in bleach solutions.
- Only use bleach in hot water washes. Cool water increases odour retention.
- Hang or air-dry clothes after washing rather than using a hot dryer, which can “bake in” odours.
When to Hire a Professional
For extreme cases where bleach smells stubbornly persist despite your best home remedy efforts, you may need to call in professional dry cleaning or textile restoration services. Their advanced methods like ozone treatments, solvent washes, and commercial-grade deodorizing can more thoroughly remove built-up chlorine residues from fabrics.
Ozone treatments, in particular, are highly effective at breaking down odor molecules through oxidation. Some dry cleaners use specialized ozone rooms to deodorize garments with tough lingering smells.
However, give the home techniques above a diligent try first, as they can often succeed in eradicating annoying bleach odours and returning your clothes to their pleasantly fresh-smelling state.
Fabric Care Tips
In addition to proper bleaching practices, extending the life and freshness of clothing also relies on following general fabric care guidelines:
- Read all garment labels and follow washing instructions
- Sort clothes by colours, fabric types, and soil levels
- Pretreat stains before washing
- Use the hottest recommended water temperature
- Don’t overload the washer
- Avoid using too much detergent
- Remove clothes promptly after the cycle finishes
- Fold or hang clothes neatly when storing
Taking these simple precautions can help minimize set-in odours, fabric damage, colour bleeding, and other laundry issues.
Bleach & Safety
While an indispensable cleaning tool, it’s crucial to use bleach safely and responsibly. Never mix chlorine bleach with acidic cleaners like vinegar, as the combination produces toxic vapours. Provide ventilation when using bleach, and wear gloves to protect your hands.
For coloured fabrics and delicates, consider using an oxygen-based bleach alternative like OxiClean or Nellie’s All-Natural Oxygen Brightener. These hydrogen peroxide solutions are color-safe and gentler than chlorine bleach.
Bleachy Smells No More
No one wants their clothing to be a source of unpleasant chemical odours. But with some smart laundry techniques and odour-busting ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and charcoal, you can banish lingering bleach stenches with ease. Always practice proper bleach usage, and you likely won’t have to deal with difficult-to-remove smells at all. With clean, revitalized clothes, you’ll be breathing easier in more ways than one!
