How to Get Rid of That “Thrift Store Smell” Forever, According to Experts

If you enjoy thrift shopping, you may have noticed that, unfortunately, many items have a musty “thrift store” smell that seems difficult to get rid of. However, it turns out that getting rid of the smell of your finds is easier than you might think.

Below, cleaning experts share some tips to help keep your found items smelling like new.

Air out the item

Don’t rush into bringing your new thrift store find into your home.

“The first thing to do after you’ve saved something is to air it out,” says Lily Cameron, cleaning expert at Fantastic Services. “Let it sit outside or in a well-ventilated area, like a porch or balcony, for a few hours or even a day if possible. The fresh air will help get rid of some of the musty smells.”

Prerna Jain, CEO of Ministry Of Cleaning, suggests doing this on a particularly sunny day as the sun’s UV rays can help kill odor-causing bacteria.

“This method is especially effective on washable fabrics and upholstery as it can also help remove stains and discoloration.”

Of course, Jain adds, some fabrics like silk, wool, cashmere, leather or wood should not be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.

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Using Baking Soda

Baking soda can work wonders when it comes to eliminating unpleasant odors. Don’t be afraid to sprinkle a little baking soda on your thrift store purchase and let it sit overnight, Cameron suggests.

To ensure this process is effective, you should sprinkle a thin, even layer of baking soda – making sure you have a vacuum cleaner within reach to suck up any stains.

Try some vinegar

Don’t have baking soda on hand? Don’t worry, vinegar will do the trick.

“Similar to baking soda, vinegar is also a great deodorizer,” says Cameron. “Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz it on your savers.”

Once you’re done, leave the item outside to dry. If you have baking soda, And vinegar, you can also combine them to create a special solution (the mixture will foam).

“Mix the two ingredients together in a bowl and mix with enough water to form a paste,” says Justin Carpenter, CEO of Modern Maids. “Then, apply the solution to any particularly smelly stains on the item and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water.”

Get more household items

The items listed above aren’t the only pantry staples that can help banish odors. Cameron says newspaper, kitty litter, activated charcoal, and essential oils can also help.

If you have extra newspaper, you can roll it up and put it in your sleeve or pocket for up to two days. Cat litter can be placed in a bag with your savings for up to a week. Activated charcoal can be placed in a container and placed near your belongings.

“This method is especially effective for fabrics and upholstery that are difficult to clean because they don’t come into contact with moisture or liquid,” says Jain.

You can spray essential oils directly onto your objects.

Bring out your steam cleaner

Get the steamer out of your closet. Steamers are Cameron’s secret weapon for eliminating odors, especially if you add a scented cleaning solution to the mix. This tactic has more benefits than one.

“This method will also help remove any wrinkles or loose fabric,” Cameron says. “Keep in mind that you may need to repeat this process a few times for optimal results.”

If you don’t have a steamboat, that’s okay too.

“You can also try using a clothes iron and placing a damp cloth over the fabric to help remove odors,” says Carpenter.