For secondhand shoppers, the thrill of finding an inexpensive gem can fade quickly in the laundry room.
One thrifter on the r/Frugal subreddit says donated clothes are increasingly showing up saturated with detergent perfumes and scent boosters that cling to fabric through wash after wash.
Here's what to know
According to the original poster in a Reddit thread, strong fragrance has become a recurring problem with secondhand clothes.
They said they buy "almost all" of their clothing secondhand, and it was the smells that were starting to become a real problem.
"The sun really helps, but often it takes several cycles to get the smell out," they added. "Has anyone else noticed this and if so how do you remove the scents without paying for expensive professional cleaning?"
A former thrift-shop worker said the smell may have little to do with stores heavily laundering donations. Describing conditions at their old job, the commenter said "our profit margins were razor thin" and explained that "the usual solution was spray the smelly stuff with Febreze and move on with the workload."
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Several others said the odor was more likely coming from strongly fragranced products used on the clothes before they were donated.
"Most places don't wash donated clothes," a user suggested. "It's a disinfectant or sanitizer thing, think Febreze on steroids."
More background
Washing items multiple times means spending more time, more water, and more electricity, cutting into the savings that made the purchase appealing in the first place.
If clothing still smells after repeated washes, some people may stop wearing it or donate it again, creating even more waste.
The persistence of the issue showed up in one reply from a shopper who said a pair of black uniform shorts they bought was on "wash number 8" and "almost don't smell."
What can be done?
Before asking for advice, the original poster said they already use unscented detergent and line-dry in the sun, which several thrifters also described as something that can help reduce lingering odors over time.
White vinegar came up repeatedly as a low-cost option that many people already have at home, often used in a presoak or overnight soak. One commenter said a vinegar-and-water soak finally got an odor out of a hoodie after several unsuccessful washes.
Still, another commenter cautioned that vinegar can leave residue that becomes noticeable again when fabric gets damp, so testing carefully on a single item first may be worth considering.
Many households already have ingredients that can work as inexpensive alternatives to popular cleaning products, often while being just as effective and sometimes gentler than heavily fragranced options. Unscented laundry products might also be a better fit for those with more sensitive noses.
Where can I learn more?
Persistent perfume on thrifted clothes often starts with the laundry products used before the items are donated. Different additives, alternative detergents, and odor-fighting tricks can make secondhand finds easier to wear.
• Laundry experts say fabric softener can leave residue that traps fragrance in clothes.
• Thrift shoppers have used coffee grounds to pull musty odors from vintage bags.
• Dirty Labs is selling detergent without toxic chemicals that can cut overpowering scents.
• Some cleaners swear conkers make free detergent for washing clothes without added perfume.
• Zero-waste brands like Meliora and Blueland are pushing laundry routines without plastic or synthetic fragrance.
When you're trying to save money on secondhand clothes, the wash routine can matter almost as much as the price tag. Knowing which products leave behind a stubborn scent may help you avoid the kind of eight-wash ordeal one shopper described.
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