You've got to be able to smell great without overwhelming anyone. We've all been there: you try a new perfume that turns out to be way too strong, you're in a rush to get to work and a few spritzes too many are unleashed or a scent that was perfect at home suddenly feels oppressive in a small office.
The good news is that you don't have to suffer in silence or scrub at your skin, clothes or space till it's all fixed. There are some really simple ways to get rid of perfume smell really fast without harming your skin, your clothes or your space, and you can get back to feeling like you again in no time.
Why Perfume Can Feel Like a Bit Much
Fragrance is meant to last. The oils and molecules in perfume stick to your skin, your clothes and the air, and if it's a particularly strong scent, your body heat and humidity can make it bloom faster than you'd like.
Sometimes we use a richer formula than we're used to, layer scents or spend the day in a small space, which can all make perfume feel way more overpowering than we initially planned. Loving perfume is all well and good, but learning how to tone it back down is a bit of an art, especially when life gets a bit too scented.
Quick Fixes for Perfume on Your Skin
Don't even get me started on using harsh soaps that irritate your skin and leave the scent behind. Try these gentler options instead.
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Wash with mild soap and lukewarm water
Grab an unscented soap and use lukewarm water on the areas where you sprayed, wrists and neck are key, wash well and give it a quick dry. Sometimes that's all you need to do. -
Use a little oil to help lift the scent
Perfume is oil-based, so put a few drops of baby oil, coconut oil or a light plant oil on a cotton pad, gently wipe the perfumed area, then wash as normal. This helps break down the perfume without scrubbing away at your skin. Sensitive skin? Test it out on a tiny patch first. -
Rubbing alcohol as a last resort
For really persistent scents, put a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad and dab it over the perfumed area, then rinse and moisturise. But be warned, this is a true last resort, especially if your skin is dry or reactive, as it can dry you out.
Getting Perfume Out of Clothes Fast
Sometimes the scent is living in your favourite top or scarf, not on your skin. If you sprayed it directly on fabric and need to tone it down fast, try these simple steps.
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Give it air
Hang the garment in a well-ventilated area, ideally with a window open or on a balcony if you can. Fresh air is one of the most natural and safest ways to soften strong perfume. Give those fibres some space to breathe and don't leave them in a cramped closet. -
Steam it out
Hang the clothing in the bathroom while you take a hot shower, making sure it doesn't get wet. The steam can relax the fibres and make the scent fade faster. Then hang it to dry in a fresh airy space afterwards. -
Spot-treat with vinegar
If it's just one area that's got a strong scent, mix a tiny bit of white vinegar with water (about 1 part to 3 parts water) and lightly mist or dab the area. Let it air-dry and the vinegar will help neutralise the smell. Always test it on a hidden seam first, especially with dark or delicate fabrics. -
Wash as normal
If the care label allows it, use a mild, fragrance-free detergent to wash the item. For really stubborn smells, you can add a tiny bit of baking soda to the wash cycle to help lift the odour.
Hair, Room and Car: What to Do Next
Perfume can linger in your hair and in the air too.
For hair, just rinse with lukewarm water, wash as normal the next chance you get and don't overload with more scented products on top. If you can't wash it right away, a bit of unscented dry shampoo can help soften the scent.
For a room that smells like a perfume cloud, open the windows and let some fresh air in. If possible, turn on a fan, or try setting out a bowl of baking soda or coffee grounds to help absorb the lingering scent. Give it some time and the air will feel lighter again.
In a car, a couple of extra spritzes can feel way too much. Roll down the windows and let the fresh air in. You can even leave a small dish of baking soda in the car for a few hours to help pull the scent out of the air and seats. Next time, spritz your clothes before getting in the car, not the interior.
How to Avoid Perfume Overload Next Time
So how can you avoid perfume overload in the future? Knowing how to get rid of a lingering perfume smell quickly is a real lifesaver. Even better is never even needing an emergency fix in the first place. A few tweaks to your daily routine can keep your fragrance on an even keel.
First start by not spraying quite as much as you think you need to, and if it still feels pretty subtle, add a bit more. You'll get a better feel for how much you want to wear as you go. Instead of slathering the stuff all over, focus on applying perfume to the pulse points like your wrists, neck and inner elbows. Also try to keep your body lotion, deodorant and hair products pretty scent-free or light, so they don't interfere with your fragrance of choice.
Think about where you'll be that day too, a crowded office or school is a different story to an open day out, after all.
Perfume should feel like an extension of you, not something on top that you can't get rid of.
Zermat Helps You Strike That Perfect Scent Balance
Sometimes it's not just the amount you spritzed on, it's what you chose. Perfume that's perfect for a breezy evening can end up overpowering on a scorching commute, which is why having some expertly crafted fragrances in your back pocket can be a real game-changer. At Zermat, we think about our fragrances not just as something to wear, but as a part of your everyday life.
Knowing how to get rid of a perfume smell quickly gives you the confidence to know you can handle whatever comes up. Finding scents that just feel like you, that's the magic bit.
