Stinky sneakers, stale wool suits, mystery smells on thrift store finds — one sniff of these items will have you searching for an odor-killing cleaning solution. Good news: There’s a quick, easy fix, and it’s not where you’d think to look.
Next time you have an upholstery odor to eliminate, skip rifling through your cleaning supply closet and head to your liquor cabinet or bar cart instead. There you’ll find a simple, inexpensive cleaning solution that’ll tackle those smells in mere moments. The trick? A bottle of vodka.
That’s right — a spritz of straight vodka can deodorize clothing, furniture, upholstery, and even mattresses. It can also be used for many of the same tasks as vinegar, such as degreasing and disinfecting, since vodka’s high alcohol content instantly kills germs and smelly molecules. Vodka works on both clothing and upholstery, which is especially helpful if you have pillows that can’t be machine-washed or sneakers that smell like a locker room.
All you need are two things: a spray bottle and vodka. Save the top-shelf stuff for your martinis — any inexpensive, unflavored bottle of vodka will work. (Flavored vodkas may produce a sticky residue, so leave those on the liquor store shelves and in the memories of your college years, where they belong.) As for the spray bottle, any size or shape will do, as long as it has a mist setting — you don’t want it shooting a straight spray of vodka.
Step 1: After you’ve filled a spray bottle with straight vodka, hold it about 18 inches away from the trouble spot. Spritz in a sweeping motion, lightly misting the clothing or upholstery without soaking it. On clothing, focus on the areas that collect the most bacteria, and therefore odor. (Ahem, armpits.)
Step 2: Air dry the item, hanging clothing, if possible. The vodka will kill odor-causing bacteria, and then evaporate without a trace.
Don’t worry — your clothes and couch won’t smell like a dive bar. Vodka has little to no scent, and any trace of it will disappear once it dries. That makes the liquor a great cleaning solution for anyone sensitive to smell. It’ll also inevitably save you big bucks at the dry cleaners.
One important note: While vodka can work magic on many fabrics, don’t use it on silk, velvet, or leather. Those fabrics may stain or alter texture when in contact with liquids. Before spraying vodka on any fabric, test a small hidden area to ensure it doesn’t react poorly, whether through discoloration or damage. Chances are, it’ll work like a charm.
Cheers to that!
