Do your jeans smell like a chemistry lab?
Are you embarrassed to wear them in public because of the funky odor?
If you’ve ever had a pair of pants that just wouldn’t stop smelling no matter how many times you washed them, you’re not alone.
We’ve all been there!
Chemical odors can be difficult to get rid of, but with these clever tricks, you’ll have them smelling like new in no time!
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Why Do My New Jeans Smell Like Chemicals?
If you’ve ever wondered why your new jeans smell like chemicals, it’s because they are treated with them.
New denim is often treated with harsh chemicals to give them its unique color and finish.
These chemicals can leave behind a strong odor that can be difficult to remove. This is why you’ll often find that your new jeans have a strong, unpleasant odor when you first take them out of the package.
However, there are a few things you can do to get rid of the chemical smell and make your jeans more wearable.
How to Rid My Jeans of Chemical Smell?
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A pair of jeans that smell like chemicals
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- A bowl or bucket large enough to fit the jeans
- A washing machine
- Laundry detergent
Instructions:
- First, take your jeans and soak them in a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight if the odor is really strong.
Vinegar is a great natural odor neutralizer. The components in Vinegar that make it so great at getting rid of odors are acetic acid and ethanol.
These two ingredients work together to break down the molecules that are causing the odor.
Then, rinse the jeans thoroughly and check to see if the smell is gone. If not, don’t worry! We’ve got a few more tricks up our sleeve.
- Next, try sprinkling baking soda on the affected areas and let the jeans sit for 15-20 minutes. Once the time is up, brush off the baking soda and give them another sniff.
- If the odor is still there, it’s time to wash the jeans. Be sure to use a laundry detergent that’s designed for removing odors, like Tide Odor Rescue or Arm & Hammer plus OxiClean.
Wash the jeans on the hottest setting your fabric can handle and add an extra rinse cycle to make sure all of the detergents is removed.
Once they’re finished washing, put them in the dryer on high heat or hang them outside to air dry.
If you can still smell a hint of chemical odor after they’re dry, repeat the entire process until it’s completely gone.
Other Tips:
Wash them with Borax: Borax is a natural laundry booster and odor eliminator.
Add ½ cup of Borax to your washing machine when you wash your jeans.
The Borax will help to remove the odors from your jeans. Borax is easily found in the laundry aisle of your local grocery store.
Soak them in coffee: Coffee is a great way to mask odors. Brew a pot of coffee and let it cool. Soak your jeans in the coffee for an hour. The coffee will help to neutralize the odors in your jeans.
Coffee helps to mask odors due to the coffee beans’ smell absorbent nature that comes from their high oil content.
Freeze them: This may sound strange, but freezing your jeans can actually help to remove the odors.
Place your jeans in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for 24 hours.
The cold temperature will help to remove the chemical odors from your jeans.
Tips to Prevent Chemical Odors
- Pre-wash new jeans before wearing them
One of the best ways to prevent chemical odors from ever taking over your jeans is to pre-wash them before you wear them. This will remove any finishes or treatments that may be causing the odor in the first place.
- Hang them up to dry
Hanging your jeans up to dry instead of tumble drying them will also help keep chemical odors at bay. The high heat of a clothes dryer can set stains and odors, making them much harder to remove.
- Avoid dry cleaning when possible.
Dry cleaning can also contribute to chemical odors in jeans, so avoid it when possible. If you must dry clean them, be sure to take them out of the plastic bag as soon as you get them home and hang them up to air out.
- Use a fabric freshener.
If you want to be extra cautious, you can spray your jeans with a fabric freshener before wearing them.
This will help to create a barrier between your skin and the chemicals in the fabric. The barrier will also help to prevent the chemicals from being absorbed into your skin.
I am the founder of In The Fashion Jungle, A site that aims to bring the latest trends and fashion news to our readers. I have extensive experience in the fashion industry, having worked in fashion manufacturing, production, and quality control for many years.
My passion for fashion began at a young age, and I pursued a degree in fashion design to further hone my skills. After graduation, I worked with several well-known fashion brands, where I gained valuable experience in all aspects of fashion production.
Over the years, I have developed a keen eye for fashion trends and have a deep understanding of the manufacturing process. This has allowed me to successfully launch my own fashion site, where I can share my knowledge and expertise with others who are passionate about fashion.
Through my site, I hope to inspire others to express themselves through fashion, whether it be through clothing, jewelry, or accessories. I believe that fashion is a form of self-expression and that everyone should have the opportunity to feel confident and stylish.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my passion for fashion. I look forward to sharing my insights with you through my site.
