How to Remove Perfume Stains from Fabric

Co-authored by Elias Weston

Last Updated: March 1, 2023

Many people don’t realize that even clear perfumes can stain and leave residue on pieces of clothing. Because many perfumes are alcohol based, they typically leave oily-looking spots on fabrics if they are sprayed directly on them. For this reason, it’s always best to apply perfume or cologne before getting dressed. However, if one of your favorite shirts gets stained, don’t despair; there are a number of methods you can use to remove the stain entirely and make your garment look good as new.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Stains From Cotton and Other Washable Fabrics

1
Dab the stain with water. If you are trying to remove a perfume stain from cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, spandex or wool, first pat at the stain with a dampened sponge or cloth. Make sure not to rub the stain; instead, use a light hand and dab with patting movements, starting from the center of the stain and working out.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Dabbing at the stain works especially well for fresh stains, because moistening the stain prevents it from spreading and setting in the fabric. If the stain is fresh, dabbing at the stain may be enough to absorb and remove the stain.
2
Create a dishwashing detergent solution. If the perfume stain you are removing isn’t fresh, just dabbing at it may not be enough. To more aggressively combat the stain, create a solution that is one part glycerin, one part dishwashing detergent and 8 parts water.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you just have a small stain, use one teaspoon or tablespoon of glycerin and dishwashing detergent and 8 teaspoons or tablespoons of water.
- Stir the detergent solution to mix thoroughly.
Advertisement
3
Apply the detergent solution to the stain. After you have mixed together your detergent solution, pour a small amount onto the stain. Make sure to only apply the solution to the stain, not to the surrounding area.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Place folded paper towel on top of the detergent solution. Once you have applied the detergent solution, fold up a sheet of paper towel and place it on top of the stain. Then let the detergent work on the fabric for about ten minutes.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- As the detergent solution works to lift up the stain, the paper towel will absorb the stain out of the fabric.
5
Change the paper towel as it absorbs the stain. After about ten minutes, check on the paper towel. If you see that some of the oily stain has transferred to the paper towel, swap the paper towel out for another folded sheet. Keep repeating this process until no more stain gets lifted.
- If you notice that the area of the stain is drying, add more detergent solution.
- If none of the stain seems to have been removed, keep the original paper towel there and keep checking until some of the stain has been absorbed.
6
Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain. If you still notice stain remnant after using the detergent solution lifting process, dip a cotton ball in rubbing solution and dab the rubbing alcohol over the stain. Then dab a teaspoon or so of rubbing alcohol to a sheet of folded paper towel and place it over the stain.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- The rubbing alcohol and paper towel will work in a similar way as the detergent solution, they are just slightly more powerful as cleaning agents.
7
Change out the paper towel. Look at the paper towel after ten minutes or so. If you notice that some of the stain is lifted, change out the paper towel. If nothing has been absorbed, place the paper towel back on the rubbing alcohol and the stain and keep checking until some of the stain has been lifted.
- Add rubbing alcohol if you notice that the stain is drying.
- Keep repeating this process until no more of the stain is being lifted.
- If the stain has been completely removed, flush the garment with water to remove any detergent solution or rubbing alcohol, then hang the garment up to dry.
8
Soak the fabric in water and baking soda, then wash. If hand-removing the stain hasn’t worked, soak the fabric in a solution of one part water and one part baking soda for 10-15 minutes. Then launder as usual in the washer and dryer.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stains From Silk or Triacetate

1
Flush the stain with water. Run water over the perfume stain on the silk or triacetate. Though silk and triacetate are not very absorbent materials, try to saturate the stained area with water. Water stops fresh stains from setting, and helps old stains separate from the fabric so that they can get removed.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.}
2
Add a couple drops of glycerin to the stain. After flushing with water, drop on a few drops of glycerin and use your finger to gently dap the glycerin to cover the stained area.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Glycerin helps to soften even old stains so that they can be removed.
3
Rinse the stain. After you add the glycerin to the stain, run the fabric under water and rinse well, gently wiping over the stain with your finger. After rinsing, you should see that some or all of the perfume stain has been removed.^{[9]
X
Research source}
4
Dab the stain with a vinegar solution. If the glycerin didn’t fully remove the stain, make a solution of white vinegar by using a one to one ratio of water and white vinegar. Then add a small amount of the solution to a cloth or sponge and blot at the stain, starting at the center of the stain and working out.^{[10]
X
Research source}
5
Dab the stain with denatured alcohol. If the glycerin and vinegar didn’t work to remove the stain, add a couple of drops of denatured alcohol to a cheesecloth pad or to a sponge. Then use a patting motion to dab at the stain with the denatured alcohol.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Denatured alcohol is poisonous when ingested, so be extremely careful when using it and store it out of reach of children.
6
Flush with water and dry the silk. After you have removed the stain from your silk, flush the garment with water to remove any remnants of the cleaning agents you used. Then hang your silk garment out to dry.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Stains From Leather or Suede

1
Blot any excess perfume. Use a dry wad of paper towel or cheesecloth to blot the leather or suede with gentle tapping motions. This works especially well with fresh stains, but may not be effective with older, dried stains.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Never use water on leather or suede.
2
Make a solution of soap and water. Fill a large bowl halfway full with lukewarm water, then add a squirt of mild liquid soap to the water. Swish the water around by shaking the bowl or by swirling your hand around in the water to create suds.^{[14]
X
Expert Source

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.}
3
Scoop up the foam and apply it to the stain. Use your hands to scoop up the suds and bubbles you created, then add the suds to a clean sponge. Sponge the suds onto the stain and pat the stain gently.^{[15]
X
Expert Source

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.}
4
Wipe the stain dry. After you pat in the suds into the stain, use a dry paper towel or cloth to wipe the suds away from the fabric. You should see that the soap suds have worked to partially or completely remove the stain.^{[16]
X
Expert Source

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 30 January 2021.}
5
Add cornmeal to the stain. If the stain is still visible in the leather or suede, sprinkle on enough cornmeal to lightly cover the stain. Let the cornmeal sit for about half an hour.^{[17]
X
Research source}
- Cornmeal works by lifting and absorbing the stain.
6
Brush off the cornmeal. After you have let the cornmeal sit for around half an hour, use a dry, stiff-bristled brush to delicately brush the cornmeal off of the leather or suede. If you see that some of the stain is still there, add on more cornmeal. Keep repeating until all the stain has been absorbed and removed.^{[18]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Question

Do cologne stains come out?

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.

Elias Weston

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

It can be challenging and you may need to try a few different cleaning solutions to find one that works, and even then you may need to perform multiple cleanings to get the stain out. But it's certainly possible!
Question

What should I do if the perfume is still a little damp?

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist
Elias Weston is a Cleaning Specialist and the Founder of Seatown Cleaners in Seattle, Washington. Elias specializes in helping clients find cleaning services with instant booking and flexible pricing. Seatown Cleaners offers standard, deep, and move-in/out cleaning services using green products and cleaning techniques. Every cleaner is thoroughly vetted and every cleaning is backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.

Elias Weston

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

Do as much cleaning as you can possibly do while the surface is still damp! it's much easier to get a tough stain out if the material is still wet. Soak up as much as you can, then combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of dish soap, and 4 cups of water. Gently blot the area with your solution and then scrub it with a clean toothbrush.
Question

I just realized that i got the stain after reaching work for a couple of hours, is it still possible to be removed?

Community Answer

Yes, it is possible to remove older stains. Flush your garment with immediately if it is a washable fabric, then use one or two methods to remove the stain.