How to Get Rid of Cologne Smell on Clothes and Skin Quickly

Less is often more – when applying any perfume you should always follow this advice. Although most men’s colognes are eau de toilette, which has significantly less perfume components than other types with higher concentration. Because if you unconsciously or consciously apply too much scent, it can quickly have a penetrating effect on others, which would repel others against you, the exact opposite of making you more attractive.

What can you do against too much cologne?

In the rush in the morning or before a date, it happens quickly that more perfume is accidentally applied than would be necessary. Even the best scent can be uncomfortable if it is intrusive. When things need to go fast, there is usually no time to jump in the shower or change clothes. With our tips you can quickly and easily neutralize penetrating scents without having to take a shower.

Also check out our elaborate review of the current best men’s colognes. It covers all price ranges from cheap to expensive, all occasions, and seasons, with recommendations for different user needs.

Water and soap

The most effective is of course now a shower or the thorough washing of the sprayed skin areas, with warm water and soap or shower gel. For this and also to change the sprayed clothes there is often no time, so we look for an alternative method.

Click here to learn how to choose a cologne that is matching your personality, preference, and needs. If the reason you want to get rid of the smell is because you don’t like the smell at the first place.

Lemon can do it

Lemon has proven particularly useful in this case. It is considered the unbeaten home remedy for smells of any kind that are to be neutralized.

In case of too much perfume or eau de toilette on the skin, simply take an untreated lemon (without wax) and rub it on the affected areas. The careful rolling of lemon over affected textiles also relieves the smell.

​If you use colognes mostly for dates, also check out our Best Colognes to Attract Females to better our chances.

Towelettes

With refreshing towels, perfume scent on the skin can be removed wonderfully. However, one smells after the use of these towels, which is not very pleasant. Right before a date, this trick is probably not recommended.

If you have applied too much, click here to learn how to apply cologne properly, how much of it so that you don’t have to get rid of the smell again.

Coffee – not just for drinking

Coffee neutralizes odors just as effectively as the lemon. However, there is a problem with sensitive clothing because who wants to walk around with brown spots? And only coffee beans help, which are rubbed very carefully over the affected areas.

If you have enough time to rid a cloth of stubborn odors of any kind, the spreading of coffee powder helps. Let it work for 10 minutes and then rinse with lemon water. With this method, even the worst odors can be dispelled.

Has your cologne gone bad? Starting to smell bad? Click here to learn how to properly store your cologne so that you can extend shelf life for a few years. This is especially important for occasional users.

Vinegar

To neutralize unpleasant odors, vinegar can also be used. Applied to cotton pads, even smaller areas can be treated without having to wash the entire garment.

Prevention by trial and error

A new fragrance, be it eau de parfum or eau de toilette, must first be tried carefully. Only after several days, you know in which dose you like it, at what occasion and at what time of day.

Trying out in a perfumery can deceive your own sense of smell. After all, the perception depends on the environment and being in the fragrant atmosphere of a store doesn’t allow for a real judgment.

Only applied in a neutral environment, the fragrance can be assessed. Some fragrances unfold only after a few hours, the so-called “scent process” can be very different.

Sometimes, you can no longer smell the scent yourself. The nose gets used to the scent over time and then no longer consciously perceives it. While for outsiders, the scent is still noticeable.

Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette?

Anyone who has become accustomed to the application of Eau de Toilette and knows exactly how much he needs to spray on, can quickly get away with applying the same amount of an Eau de Parfum and end up with too much. The difference between these two most common perfume concentration types is not just a question of price.

This of course applies to all perfume types. From highest concentration to lowest:

Parfum -> Eau de Parfum -> Eau de Toilette -> Eau de Cologne -> Eau Fraiche

Read more in detail in the guide here about the various perfume types and fragrance concentration.

A little tip : In the morning, scents should always be sparingly applied, especially at work. In the evening it may be applied a bit more at the right moment, like a romantic dinner.