How do you get the smell out of vintage clothing?

Vintage clothing has a history – and sometimes it also comes with its own smell. This is not unusual with secondhand fashion and older garments. Fabrics may have been stored in closets, basements, attics, thrift stores, or garment bags for years. This can sometimes create smells of closets, smoke, perfume, dampness, or old textiles. The good news: Many smells can be significantly reduced or completely removed with a little patience.

The most important first step is: Let vintage clothing air out. Hang the garment in a well-ventilated place, preferably outside in the shade or by an open window. Direct sunlight can fade colors, so a breezy shaded spot is ideal. Sometimes a day in the fresh air is enough, but for stronger smells, it may take several days.

If the garment is washable, a gentle wash can help. First, check the care label, if there is one. Many vintage blouses, dresses, shirts, skirts, or trousers prefer cold to lukewarm water, mild detergent, and a low spin cycle. Delicate materials such as wool, silk, rayon/viscose, acetate, or embellished pieces should be handled with extra care. When in doubt, hand washing or professional cleaning is better than a wash cycle that is too hot.

For persistent smells, baking soda can also help. Place the dry garment in a large box or bag together with an open bowl of baking soda, without letting the powder rub directly against delicate fabrics. After a few hours or overnight, the baking soda can absorb smells. Then shake out the garment well and let it air out again.

Steam can also be helpful for vintage clothing. A steamer or hanging it in the bathroom after a hot shower can relax the fibers and release smells. However, it is important to note: Not every material tolerates moisture and heat equally well. Particularly delicate fabrics, leather, faux leather, fur, sequins, beads, or glued details should not be heavily steamed.

What you should better avoid: Perfume, heavily scented sprays, or harsh fabric fresheners. They often only mask the smell for a short time and can mix unpleasantly with the old smell. In addition, delicate vintage fabrics, colors, or embellishments may react to them.

For vintage knitwear, wool coats, blazers, or jackets, patience is especially important. These pieces are not always easy to wash. Here, airing out, careful brushing, steaming from a distance, or professional cleaning can help. Especially with high-quality vintage fashion, it is better to proceed slowly and gently than to overtax the material.

Smoke smells are often harder to remove than normal closet smells. Here too, airing out, baking soda, gentle washing, or professional cleaning can help. Sometimes several treatments are needed. If a piece is very delicate, it is better not to experiment with it at home.

At Zuerich Vintage, wearable vintage and secondhand pieces are washed or cleaned and carefully inspected before sale. Nevertheless, vintage clothing remains something special: Every piece had a life before you and should be treated with love accordingly.

In short: The best way to remove smells from vintage clothing is with fresh air, patience, gentle washing, baking soda, careful steaming, and professional cleaning for delicate pieces. This keeps your vintage favorites wearable, well-cared for, and beautiful for a long time.

Liebi Grüess us Zueri
Kate from Zuerich Vintage