Thrift shopping is one great way you can find some quality and unique fashion items, with each passing day, it becomes a favorite for a lot of shoppers. However, with the thrill of buying thrift clothes comes a downside that usually seems like a challenge for a lot of people- how to get smell out of second hand clothes.
Thrift clothes often carry different odors that might feel choky, mothball-y, musty, or even funky. In this article, we explain all the best ways on how to get rid of thrift store smell on your clothes.
What Are Thrift Clothes?
Thrift clothes are fashion wearables that have been owned by a previous person, but still in great condition, enough to be useful to another owner. So in other words, thrift clothes are second-hand or used clothing items that are still in good shape.
Common Types of Smells in Thrift Store Clothes
According to research by scientists at Procter & Gamble, more than 65% of smells present in thrift store clothes come from the bodies that wore them, of things like skin, natural oils, and sweat. The rest odors come from environmental contaminants such as gasoline, engine fumes, food, detergent, perfumes, etc., that were picked up while it was being worn.
Below are some of the common types of smells you might easily identify n thrift clothes:
- Cigarette smoke
- Mothballs
- Mustiness
- Body odor
- Perfume
- Laundry detergents
While some of these smells may be unpleasant, bear in mind while shopping that they are not harmful, and are easy to get rid of.
5 Tips On How To Get Rid Of Thrift Store Clothes Smell
If you’re looking for how to remove thrift store smell from clothes, here are some effective tips that can help you:
1. Air Out the Clothes
A very simple method you can use to get rid of thrift store smell on clothes is the natural old airing method, preferably done before you wash them.
The first thing you should do after getting a thrift store cloth is to air it overnight in somewhere well ventilated, like close to an open window, on a porch or a balcony. The goal is to allow fresh air to pierce into it and get rid of the mustiness. You do not need to hang it in a backyard clothesline to achieve this.
2. Baking Soda
Another method is with the aid of baking soda. Baking Soda (also sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline substance that helps to eliminate acidic odors upon contact with it. It is regarded as one of the best cleaning substances. Ingredients you will need are:
- 4 tablespoons of baking soda
- A bin liner or plastic bag without holes
- Rubber band
- Washing machine
Directions:
- Place the thrift cloth inside the plastic bag or bin liner
- Pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the bag
- Seal the bag and tie it up with a rubber band
- Shake the bag well, but not too rough so it doesn’t damage the cloth
- Set the bag aside for 2 days, you can shake it at intervals whenever you remember.
- After 2 days, remove the thrift cloth from the bag and place it in your washing machine
- Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda into the detergent compartment
- Add another tablespoon into the wash chamber
- Run warm wash to kill bacteria
- After watching, you can then take it to the clothesline and let it dry out.
3. White Vinegar
With one cup of white vinegar added with detergent and cold water to your wash machine, that thrift cloth smell is about to disappear in minutes. Vinegar contains acetic acid that is a natural deodorizer and can neutralize offensive smells. Not only just thrift clothes, you can add white vinegar to get rid of your old clothes smell.
No need to be worried about the smell of vinegar lingering on the cloth, vinegar scent disappears immediately clothes are dry. This method is ideal for fixing the smell of used clothes in bulk.
4. Sun Treatment
The sun treatment comes after washing, it is also called sunbathing. When you are done washing the cloth, place it on a line or surface with direct sunlight for as long as it takes to get dry, you can even leave it there for 24 hours. The UV rays from the sun will help to combat the odor-causing bacterias in the item.
5. Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used to rid thrift clothes of their smell. Oils like rosemary, clove, lemon, cedar, cinnamon, peppermint, etc., are strong enough to eliminate the smells contained in the thrift cloth.
Directions:
- Add a few drops of the oil to a small bowl of water, stir well.
- Pour it into your washing machine that already contains a detergent solution
- Wash and rinse.
Bear in mind that it does not rid the cloth of the smell’s chemical existence, it only masks it so the odor does not get to you. What essential oils do is that they suppress the smells, and allow you to find the clothes wearable until you are able to get it out permanently through multiple washes.
Ensure not to spill the oil directly on the clothes, this could leave a permanent oil mark on them.
FAQs On Thrift Second-Hand Clothes
Answers to some questions we get asked frequently about thrift second-hand clothes:
How Do Thrift Stores Get Clothes?
Thrift stores get their clothes from several sources like and commercial wholesalers. The most unique thrift stores stock their inventory with used clothes in bulk gotten from suppliers that deal in second hand branded clothes wholesale
Do Thrift Shops Wash Their Clothes?
Most thrift shops do not wash their clothes, although some of the clothes had already been washed before getting to the thrift store.
How To Find Good Clothes At Thrift Stores
Finding good clothes at a thrift store is easy, however, sometimes we can get overwhelmed and buy the wrong things. Try to go in the morning, or as early as possible in the day so you don’t get rushed during closing hours. Wear clothes that fit your body so you can easily test clothes at the thrift store.
How To Buy Thrift Clothes In Bulk?
You can buy thrift clothes in bulk from an industry-trusted thrift clothes supplier, easy, quick, and secure. Reach out to a supplier, make picks, negotiate prices, and discuss shipping.
Conclusion
The odor of thrift store clothes can really be overwhelming sometimes, and maybe even sway you from shopping for thrift fashion items. However, do not allow this discourage you from enjoying the thrill of finding your desired items in a thrift store, you can use any of the easy tips and methods explained in this article to get rid of them.
