Have you ever pulled a shirt out of the closet, given it a quick sniff, and yuck. There it is again…that mystery smell. Whether it’s musty basement air, cigarette smoke, thrift store funk, or that sour gym odor that just won’t budge no matter how many times you wash it, I’ve got you covered.

If you’ve ever considered tossing a piece of clothing just because of the smell — don’t do it just yet. I’m sharing 13 tried-and-true ways to get smells out of clothes. Some are old-school, some are backed by science, and a few might just surprise you.

Let’s break them down into three easy categories so you can find what works for your situation:

Categories of Odor Removal:

Wash-Based Fixes
Steam, Spray & Refresh
Cold & Fresh Air Remedies

And here’s the best part: You don’t need to try all 13 at once. Just stack a couple of these methods together and that smell won’t stand a chance.

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Wash-Based Fixes

These are your go-to laundry solutions that work best when you can machine or hand wash the item.

1. Use an Odor-Fighting Detergent

Start simple. Look for a detergent labeled “odor eliminator,” not just “fresh scent.” The goal here is to remove the smell, not mask it.

I skip scent boosters completely and focus on clean, fragrance-free freshness.

Here are some of my favorite odor eliminating detergents:

2. Add Vinegar to the Wash

This is a viewer favorite. Add 1 cup of white vinegar either to the rinse cycle or directly into the drum. It breaks down sweat, mildew, smoke, and even old perfume. It’s budget-friendly and works beautifully on most fabrics.

3. Try a Baking Soda Pre-Soak

Have a serious scent offender? Mix ½ cup of baking soda in warm water and let the garment soak for 30 minutes to overnight. It neutralizes acidic odors (think sweat, food, or musty storage smells), and it works especially well for cotton and synthetics.

4. Borax or OxiClean Soaks

So many of you in the comments of my original video said this was your go-to. Add a scoop of Borax or OxiClean to a basin of warm water, soak the garment, then wash as usual. This is particularly great for vintage or secondhand clothes with that “been in a box” smell.

5. Beer or Coca-Cola (Yes, Really)

This one’s unconventional, but several of you swore it worked.

One viewer used beer to eliminate mildew smell from a hard hat.
Another used Coca-Cola to remove perfume residue.

Are these methods a bit extreme? Maybe. But if your favorite thrifted jacket still smells after everything else — why not?

Steam, Spray & Refresh Fixes

These tricks work well for delicate fabrics, dry-clean-only items, or anything you’ve already washed but still smells “off.”

6. Steam from the Shower or Garment Steamer

Steam doesn’t just release wrinkles, it helps refresh fabric too. Hang your item in the bathroom while you shower, or use a handheld steamer and focus on areas like underarms or collars. It’s gentle, effective, and one of my favorite tricks.

7. Fabric Spray, Skip the Perfume

Not all sprays are created equal. If you’re sensitive to synthetic fragrances, try the theater trick - a 50/50 mix of vodka and water in a spray bottle. It disinfects and evaporates without leaving any smell behind. One viewer said this saved her vintage finds!

8. Pre-Treat with Vinegar or Isopropyl Alcohol

Spray white vinegar or rubbing alcohol on odor-prone spots like underarms before washing. It breaks down buildup and neutralizes odor. Don’t worry — the vinegar smell disappears completely once dry.

9. At-Home Dry Cleaning Sheets

Toss dry-clean-only pieces in the dryer with one of these Dryel sheets. After just 15–20 minutes, musty coats and drapes come out fresh again. (Avoid using this method on wool or cashmere.)

Cold & Fresh Air Remedies

These are perfect for natural odor removal — especially when you don’t want to wash something again.

10. The Freezer Trick (My Favorite!)

Yes, this works. Seal the garment in a Ziploc bag and place it in your freezer overnight. It doesn’t kill all bacteria, but it does neutralize most smells. Great for jeans, wool coats, even shoes.

11. Fresh Air & Sunshine

Hang the item outdoors on a breezy day. Sunlight’s UV rays kill bacteria, and the wind lifts lingering odors. This one is underrated — and totally free!

12. Combine Freezing + Air Drying

One viewer froze their jacket three nights in a row, then hung it outside — and that finally got rid of the smoky smell. Sometimes layering methods like this is what really works when all else fails.

Long-Term Prevention

13. Sachets, Cedar & Essential Oils

If clean clothes start smelling funky again after a week in storage, the closet could be the culprit. Use:

Lavender sachets
Cedar blocks
Essential oil blends (lavender, lemon, tea tree)
Hang one on a hanger or tuck it in a drawer to keep things fresh.

Community Wisdom: Your Brilliant Tips

I’ve learned so much from your comments, and here are some viewer favorites worth sharing:

Christina Ethridge: “Vodka and water — the theater trick works wonders!”
Carpenter Dane: Used carpet odor powder in a sealed bag and shook the garment — total success!
Aimmon103: Recommended Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Remover — works great on clothes.
Brenda Turner Hatfield: Suggests placing kitty litter in a closed bin to remove handbag odors.

Keep these creative ideas coming; I love sharing them!

Common Myths (Let’s Bust Them)

Let’s clear a few things up:

The freezer trick doesn’t kill all bacteria, but it can still neutralize the odor.
Scent boosters don’t remove smells, they just cover them up.
Dry cleaning isn’t magic — it can help, but it’s not chemical-free or foolproof.

Sometimes it takes combining 2–3 tricks. But in most cases, the smell can be fixed.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to toss your favorite blouse or that perfect pair of thrifted jeans just because of a bad odor. With the right tools and a little patience, you can rescue almost anything.

Have a genius trick I didn’t mention? Drop it in the comments.