How to Remove Chlorine Smell From Clothes: Fast, Safe, Step-by-Step Methods

Introduction: Why chlorine smell sticks to clothes

That pool bag smell that clings to your towels and swimwear is not just water and soap. Chlorine oxidizes sweat and body oils, creating chloramines that stick inside fabric fibers, especially synthetics like polyester and nylon. Add residual pool chemicals and trapped moisture, and you get that sour, chemical odor that regular washing often fails to remove.

In this article you will learn exactly how to remove chlorine smell from clothes, step by step. I will show quick fixes for emergency smells, safe home remedies that actually neutralize chloramines, fabric specific methods for swimwear and towels, and prevention tips so the smell never returns. Expect precise recipes, wash settings, and when to use an enzymatic cleaner or commercial odor neutralizer.

Immediate fix after swimming

Right after leaving the pool act fast. Rinse each item under cold running water for 30 to 60 seconds, inside out, concentrating on collars, seams and suits with lining. Cold water helps wash away free chlorine without setting odors.

If you have a bucket or sink, do a short soak. Fill with cold water and add 1 cup white vinegar per gallon of water, or sprinkle 1/4 cup baking soda for stubborn smells; submerge garments for 5 to 10 minutes, then swish and rinse well.

For quick on the go neutralizing, mix one part white vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle, mist lightly, then squeeze out excess water and roll the item in a dry towel. Avoid hot water and fabric softener, they can trap the smell.

Hang to air dry in a breezy spot, then launder normally to finish removing chlorine smell from clothes.

Three home remedies that actually work

Start with this mindset, you want fast, safe steps that actually remove the chlorine smell from clothes, not cover it up. Try these three home remedies with exact measurements and timings.

1. White vinegar soak. Fill a sink or bucket with 2 gallons warm water, add 1 cup distilled white vinegar, submerge clothes, agitate for 1 minute, then soak 30 minutes. Rinse and machine wash on normal cycle. Vinegar neutralizes chlorine odor and won’t harm most fabrics.

2. Baking soda boost. For a machine load, add 1 cup baking soda to the drum with your regular detergent, wash on the hottest setting safe for the fabric. For handwash, dissolve 1/2 cup baking soda in 2 gallons warm water, soak 20 minutes, then rinse.

3. Lemon refresh. Mix 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice with 1 quart cold water, spot treat or soak colored items for 10 to 15 minutes, rinse, then air dry in sunlight for 1 to 2 hours. Test first on a hidden seam to avoid fading.

How to wash chlorine smell out in the washing machine

Set the washer to the warmest water temperature the fabric can tolerate, choose a normal or heavy soil cycle, and enable an extra rinse. Hot water helps drive off volatile chlorine compounds, but check care labels first.

Use a high quality, enzyme detergent at the recommended dose. For stubborn pool smell, add one of these boosters, not all at once. Toss in 1/2 cup baking soda with the detergent to neutralize odors. Or add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle or fabric softener dispenser to strip residual chlorine and soap film. For color safe brightening, dissolve 1/2 to 1 cup oxygen bleach powder (sodium percarbonate) in hot water and add it to the wash or pre soak for 30 minutes.

Run an extra rinse cycle to remove residues. Never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach; avoid chlorine bleach entirely on pool scented clothing. Repeat once if odor lingers.

Safe methods for delicates, activewear, and swimwear

Fill a basin with cool water and a few drops of a mild detergent or a dedicated sports wash. For delicates such as silk or lace, use baby shampoo or a wool detergent, gently agitating for 2 to 3 minutes, then soak no more than 15 minutes. For swimwear and activewear, rinse immediately after use, then soak 20 to 30 minutes in cool water with 1 cup white vinegar per gallon to neutralize chlorine smell from clothes. Rinse thoroughly, press out water gently, do not wring, and dry flat away from direct sun or heat. Avoid chlorine bleach, fabric softener, and high heat, they damage stretch and moisture wicking. Always check the care label and test any solution on an inconspicuous spot.

How to remove stubborn chlorine odor

If that pool smell refuses to leave, go deeper. Start with an enzyme cleaner, either an enzyme laundry detergent or a presoak product labeled enzyme or biological. Use warm water, about 104°F (40°C), to activate enzymes, and let items soak 1 to 3 hours, or overnight for heavy odors. After soaking, run a normal wash.

Next, try an Oxi product. Dissolve it in warm water following the package ratios, then soak 2 to 8 hours. You can repeat a soak cycle up to three times for persistent chlorine smell from clothes, but always follow fabric care instructions. For best results, sequence treatments rather than mixing products, rinse thoroughly after each soak, and air dry in sunlight to help eliminate lingering odor.

Prevent chlorine smell before it starts

Rinse immediately. After leaving the pool run each swimsuit or towel under cold water for 30 seconds to flush out chlorine. That small habit prevents the chemical from setting, and it makes later washing far easier.

Wash within 24 hours. The longer chlorine sits on fabric, the stronger the smell becomes. Toss wet swimwear into the laundry within a day, ideally on a regular detergent cycle designed for activewear or sports clothes.

Use breathable storage. Carry a mesh laundry bag for damp items, not a plastic bag. Mesh lets chlorine and moisture escape, preventing mildew and lingering odors.

Pick the right detergent. Choose an enzyme based or sports detergent formulated to neutralize chlorine and sweat, and avoid fabric softener which can trap odor.

Common mistakes to avoid

Trying to cover how to remove chlorine smell from clothes, avoid these common errors and fix them fast.

Drying clothes with the odor still in them, heat can lock the smell in. Fix, re soak in warm water with 1 cup baking soda for 30 minutes, then wash and air dry.
Mixing vinegar and bleach creates toxic gas. Fix, thoroughly rinse first, then use white vinegar or oxygen bleach separately.
Using fabric softener or perfume to mask the smell. Fix, rewash with an enzyme or heavy duty detergent and run an extra rinse.
Letting garments sit in the washer, remove and rewash immediately.

Quick checklist and product recommendations

Printable checklist, tick as you go:
Remove clothes from pool, shake out excess chlorine water.
Soak 30 minutes in cold water with 1 cup white vinegar or 1 cup baking soda for heavy smell.
Rinse thoroughly, squeeze out excess water.
Wash normally, add an oxygen booster or extra detergent.
Run an extra rinse cycle to remove residues.
Air dry in sunlight when fabric allows, sunlight helps neutralize odor.
Spot test colors and follow garment care labels.

Recommended products by budget:
Budget, white vinegar, Arm & Hammer baking soda, 20 Mule Team Borax.
Mid range, OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, Tide Free and Gentle, Persil ProClean.
Premium, HEX Performance detergent, Rockin Green Sport Wash, specialty activewear detergents.

Conclusion and a simple routine to follow

When you need to know how to remove chlorine smell from clothes fast, use this simple routine every time. It fixes odor and prevents it from coming back.

1. Rinse immediately, then soak 30 minutes in one cup white vinegar per gallon of water, or one cup vinegar in the washing machine for a full load. This neutralizes the smell at the source.

2. Wash as usual with detergent, adding half a cup baking soda or a scoop of oxygen bleach for stubborn odor. Use cold for swimwear, warm for towels and cotton.

3. Dry in direct sunlight when possible, or tumble dry on medium. Always rinse swim gear after use and air dry in a ventilated bag to prevent repeat odors.