How to Eliminate Unpleasant Odor in Colored Fabric

Quck answer

If you have a bad smell in dyed fabric, follow these steps to get rid of it:

1. Fill a basin or sink with cold water and add a cup of white vinegar.

2. Submerge the fabric in the mixture and let it soak for 30 minutes.

3. After soaking, rinse the fabric with cold water to remove the vinegar smell.

4. If the smell persists, create a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area.

5. Let the paste sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it off.

6. Finally, wash the fabric in the washing machine with detergent and air dry it.


Colored fabric that has been recently dyed can retain a chemical smell from the dye. This lingering odor can make the newly dyed garment unpleasant to wear. Instead of storing the clothing in the back of the closet and forgetting about it, there are simple steps you can take to deodorize the chemical dye smell. Since fabric is porous, odors that have been absorbed into the fibers can also be removed. By using the right techniques and materials, you can successfully get rid of the bad dye smell from your fabric.

Step 1

Place the recently dyed fabric in a bucket and pour enough white vinegar into the bucket to cover the fabric. Allow the fabric to soak in the vinegar for 30 minutes. White vinegar is a natural odor neutralizer and it also helps set the new dye in the fabric.

Step 2


Many odors can be easily eliminated in the washing machine.

Wash the fabric according to the instructions on the care label. During the rinse cycle, add 1 cup of white vinegar to further deodorize the fabric and get rid of the dye odor.

Step 3


Fresh air is a natural odor eliminator.

Hang the fabric outdoors on a drying rack or indoors near an open window. Allow the fresh air to dry and refresh the fabric.

Step 4

To remove any remaining dye odor from the fabric, lay it flat on a surface and sprinkle baking soda over it. Let the baking soda absorb the smell overnight. In the morning, shake off the baking soda and wash the fabric again if necessary.

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