Airing the garment outdoors or somewhere well-ventilated is the most reliable no-wash fix, helped along by a light dusting of baking soda brushed off after an hour, or a fine vodka-and-water mist that evaporates and takes some of the scent with it.

Why this works

Fragrance sitting in fabric fibres mostly needs air movement and time to disperse — the same reason opening a window helps a smoky room. Baking soda is a mild odour absorber that works well on fabric without leaving its own scent behind, provided you brush or shake it out properly rather than leaving it to sit. A light vodka or rubbing-alcohol mist works because the alcohol evaporates quickly and can help lift some of the fragrance oil with it, though it’s worth testing on an inside seam first with anything delicate or coloured.

  • Hang the item outside or by an open window for a few hours
  • Sprinkle baking soda, leave for 30-60 minutes, then brush or shake out
  • Test any vodka or alcohol spray on a hidden seam before using it on the whole garment

A clothes steamer, if you have access to one, works particularly well on structured fabrics like blazers and coats, since the heat and moisture help release trapped fragrance molecules without the risk of a full wash.

More on avoiding overspray in the first place is covered in our guide to fixing common perfume mistakes, and our complete guide to perfume has the basics of how fragrance behaves on fabric versus skin.