This article from Heritage Park offers tips for washing and freshening up vintage and thrifted clothing to remove the “second hand’ smells.

You don’t need to be a fashionista to know that American consumers are in an era of peak thrifting. Secondhand and vintage clothes are definitely having a moment, especially among younger millennial and Gen Z shoppers. Along with being budget friendly, thrift shopping is sustainable; purchasing secondhand clothing is an eco-friendly way to curate a unique wardrobe without the environmental and social costs of fast fashion. Of course, part of the appeal with vintage clothing has always been the thrill of the hunt, with social media giving thrifting culture a platform to showcase the creativity, benefits, and lifestyle of secondhand apparel and accessories.

So, what’s the downside to the feel-good thrill of assembling a thrifted wardrobe? It gives us no pleasure to say this but here it is: the scent. Secondhand and vintage clothing have some distinct odors that are frequently less than pleasant. But with the right cleaning protocol, you can freshen up your vintage finds, remove the bad odor, and happily put them into featured wardrobe rotation. Read on to learn how to clean thrifted clothes with advice from our team at Heritage Park Laundry Essentials.

What Is That Thrift-Shop Smell, Anyway?

If you know, you know. Thrift stores—and thrift-store apparel—often carry a unique smell. That unmistakable scent is typically a combination of multiple factors:

• Musty odor: This is often caused by items that have been stored in damp or poorly ventilated areas, leading to mold or mildew growth.

• Aged fabric: Old clothing and textiles can develop a particular scent as fibers break down over time.

• Mothballs: Some donated items may have been stored with mothballs, which have a strong, characteristic smell.

• Perfumes and detergents: Lingering scents from various cleaning products or perfumes used by previous owners can contribute to the overall smell.

• Cigarette smoke: Items from smokers' homes may retain a tobacco odor.

• Stains and body odor from previous owners.

• Stale air: Many thrift shops are in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation, which can intensify these combined odors.

On top of all that, many thrift stores use industrial-strength, commercial odor neutralizers and air fresheners specifically designed for second-hand retail spaces. The clothing itself is also often sprayed with commercial disinfectants and deodorizers that typically mask, rather than remove, odors (and often not very well at that). The result is an off-putting odor that you really want to remove before wearing your thrifted treasures.

Use Heritage Park Activewear Detergent For the First Wash of Thrifted Apparel

If you’ve spent time with us at Heritage Park, you know that we always focus on helping you pick the best detergent for the task at hand. When it comes to washing your thrifted and vintage apparel, we have put together a specialized protocol that includes Heritage Park Activewear Laundry Detergent and two items you’ve likely got in your pantry: white vinegar and baking soda.

Made to clean athletic and performance apparel, our Activewear Detergent is strong enough to obliterate sweat, dirt, and odors—not just cover them up—with a double dose of detergent enzymes. At the same time, it is pH-neutral and gentle on fabric and skin. That said, we don’t recommend using Activewear Detergent for routine washing of “regular” clothes, but the powerful, fragrance-free formula is perfect for tackling leftover scents and stains for the initial wash of vintage gear.

Supplies You’ll Need to Wash Your Thrifted Clothing

You will need the following supplies to wash and deodorize your thrifted, vintage, and tag sale clothing:

• Heritage Park Activewear Laundry Detergent.
• White vinegar.
• Baking soda.
• A washing machine.
• Mesh laundry bags for small items.
• A spray bottle for making your own enzyme solution.
• A tub or bucket for pre-soaking.
• A drying rack or lint-free towel.

A Triple-Wash Process to Remove Thrift Shop Dirt and Odors

The initial cleaning of your vintage and thrifted clothing is a three-wash process. That said, it is very straightforward and simple. Sort your items by color and fabric type and follow these guidelines:

Step 1: Read and Follow Care Guidelines

A vintage concert tee, for example, is perfect to wash. A lined wool skirt, on the other hand, needs to go to the dry cleaner. Of course, this is vintage clothing so we understand that the care label may be long gone. If you can’t find it or are unsure, do not wash. Also, do not use this process for silk and wool items, even if they are washable. Most cotton, polyester, rayon, linen, synthetic, and blended fabrics should be fine to launder this way. However, even some “washable” vintage clothing items may be too delicate to launder in your machine. In those cases, handwashing is preferred (or alternatively take then to a professional cleaner).

Step 2: Air Them Out

A healthy dose of fresh air goes a long way to getting rid of vintage smell. It may not be enough, but giving your items a good airing out (preferably outside) before machine washing is a great idea.

Step 3: Pre-Treat Stains

Use an enzyme-based stain remover or soak. You can also make your own enzyme spray with a 1:1 combination of water and Heritage Park Activewear Detergent in a spray bottle. Thoroughly dampen stains and let sit. (Note: if a garment has obvious stains in the thrift store, carefully consider whether you should purchase it. These stains have likely been there for a while and are set in, which makes them difficult to remove.)

Step 4: Run a Load with White Vinegar

Wash your item in warm water with one cup of white distilled vinegar. This will strip built up-residue from the fabric. built-up residue and help restore absorbency. DON'T USE DETERGENT, only white vinegar. Use a mesh laundry bag for smaller items or delicate fabric that could be snagged around the agitator.

Step 5: Run a Load with Baking Soda

Next, run the load again with a half-cup of baking soda. This will help freshen and remove any lingering smells. AGAIN, DON'T USE DETERGENT, only baking soda.

Step 6: Run a Load with Heritage Park Activewear Detergent

Wash with a capful of Activewear Detergent on regular or permanent press in warm to lukewarm temperatures. The cleaning enzymes will break down and remove dirt, stains, and any leftover odors. NEVER use bleach, fabric softener, or dryer sheets which damage fabric, leave build-up, and cause fading.

Step 7: Air Dry Flat or on a Drying Rack

Some vintage items may be allowed in the dryer, but our best advice when dealing with older pieces is to air dry them to preserve their color and shape.

Shopping in thrift stores is a great move for the environment and a commitment to sustainable fashion. We hope this process has given you the information you need to get your thrifted clothes clean, fresh, and ready to wear. For regular washing of your thrifted clothing (and the rest of your laundry) we suggest using Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent. This gentle detergent contains plant-based ingredients and a proprietary blend of laundry enzymes that successfully removes everyday dirt, stains, and odors. Choose our fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula or lightly-scented Lavender Mist, Ocean Breeze, or Spring Magnolia varieties. If you are washing silk, wool, cashmere or another protein-based washable fabric, use Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent, an enzyme-free formula made for these fibers.

Depending on the fabric, you can also use this protocol for thrifted home linen textiles (be sure to read and follow care guidelines). As always, the Heritage Park Team is here to answer questions about our products and laundry care. Call, chat, or drop us an email. We are here to help!

Our Clients Also Ask

What is the fastest way to get rid of a thrift store smell?

Air out clothing. If it is washable, first launder in a cup of white vinegar (no detergent). Run a second load with a half-cup of baking soda (again, no detergent). Finish laundering with an enzyme-detergent like Heritage Park Activewear Detergent.

What causes thrift store smell?

Thrift store smell is caused by a number of factors, including mold/mildew, mothballs, commercial deodorizers, air fresheners, detergents, body odors, stale air, and more.

How do you get rid of the thrift-store smell without washing?

Airing out thrift store clothes can help get rid of the smell, but a thorough cleaning, either in the wash or at a professional cleaner, is the best way to get the job done.

How to get thrift store smell out of dry clean only clothes?

Give these clothes a long airing outside. (Out of direct sunlight if they are silk or wool). Then take them to a professional dry cleaner.

Can I wear thrift clothes without washing?

It is not recommended to wear thrift-store clothing or any vintage item without washing or dry cleaning. These garments have (at minimum) likely been treated with a disinfectant and may not have been properly cleaned before donation. You should also wash new clothes before wearing, as items have likely been chemically treated during manufacturing.

What is the Goodwill smell?

The “Goodwill” smell is likely a combination of deodorizing agents, air fresheners or other artificial fragrance, and scent coming off the clothing and textiles including must, mothballs, the smell of aging fabric, and more.