How to Remove a Perfume Stain

Quck answer

If you spill perfume, act quickly to prevent staining and lingering odors. First, blot the spill with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible. Avoid rubbing, as it can push the perfume deeper into the fabric. Next, sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the affected area to absorb any remaining residue and neutralize the smell. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, then vacuum or brush off the powder. If the fabric is machine washable, launder it according to the care instructions. For non-washable items, consult a professional cleaner.


Due to the presence of essential oils, cleaning up a perfume spill is not as simple as wiping it with paper towels or a cloth like you would with water or juice spills. Instead, you need to take additional cleaning measures to ensure that you don’t leave behind an oily residue after absorbing the liquid. Additionally, you may want to disperse the fragrance, as most perfumes are pleasant in small amounts but can be overwhelming and cause watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing in larger quantities.

Step 1

Use a dry cloth to wipe up the spilled area. The cloth will absorb most of the liquid, but you will notice an oily residue remaining on the surface where the perfume was spilled. If the spill occurred on carpet, blot the area instead of wiping or scrubbing it.

Step 2

Dampen a new cloth with a mixture of water and white vinegar. You can either prepare the solution in a bowl or directly wet the cloth, pour some vinegar on it, and then squeeze out the excess liquid.

Step 3

Use the vinegar-soaked cloth to wipe or blot the oily residue. The vinegar will help neutralize the scent and remove the traces of essential oil.

Step 4

Clean the area with baking soda. By this point, the area will likely be mostly dry. Sprinkle baking soda over the spill and then wipe or blot it with a damp cloth. This will eliminate any minor stains and further reduce the scent.

Step 5

Place a bowl of ground coffee in the room. The coffee grounds will absorb the fragrance and help mask it until it dissipates. After allowing the coffee grounds to sit for a few days, you will hardly notice that there was a perfume spill at all.

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