The unique aroma of patchouli may bring the 60’s to mind. It is extremely strong and has been described as mossy, musty, earthy. People seem to either love it or hate it, and there is very little middle ground. If you happen to fall into the “Hate it” camp, this guide on how to remove patchouli smell is for you.
Patchouli is available as an essential oil and may even be used in some perfumes. If you have already decided that you can’t stand the stuff, you will want to make sure this particular stank doesn’t come anywhere near you. Our guide provides tips to help you deal with getting this reek out of a room, your hair and your car.
How to Get Rid of Patchouli Smell from a Room
1 Vanilla Extract Odor Killer
You can get rid of the smell from patchouli by soaking a rag in vanilla extract and placing it in the room. The vanilla will absorb the odor. Be careful where you place it though; it will stain light-colored fabric items. You may want to place it on an aluminum foil pie plate or an old plate to minimize the likelihood of ruining an object in your room.
2 White Vinegar and Essential Oil Spray
Buy an empty spray bottle. Fill it up with pure white vinegar. Add up to 10 drops of essential oils such as lemon or eucalyptus. You can also use a teaspoon of vanilla extract if you wish. Shake it up and spray it around the room as if you using an air freshener to pull the stanky particles out of the air and off of any surfaces they have decided to cling to.
3 Borax Odor Remover
Borax is a mineral substance that can be used in the same manner as baking soda to get rid of odors. You can find it in the laundry aisle at a grocery store. Sprinkle some of the product on your carpet. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Sweep up as much of the product from the surface of the floor as you can, and then vacuum the rest to avoid clogging your machine.
Remove Patchouli Smell from Hair
1 Degreaser Recipe
If your scalp stanks, mix up a batch of this homemade degreasing recipe to deal with the funk factory on your head. Start by combining a quart of white vinegar or 3% hydrogen peroxide (if you choose peroxide, it may bleach your hair). Add 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of dish detergent. Mix together and wash your hair with the recipe. Rinse with cool water.
2 White Vinegar-Shampoo One-Two Punch
Another way to deal with smelly hair is to wash with white pure white vinegar. It will cut through the oil and help to get rid of the stank. Follow up by washing with your regular shampoo. As the hair dries, the smell from the vinegar will become much less noticeable.
3 Dish Soap Cleanser
Wash the hair with dish soap instead of your regular shampoo. These types of products are made to cut through grease and should do a good job of getting rid of the Patouchi smell. Since they will also strip the hair of its natural oils, you will want to follow up with some hair conditioner. Be generous with the stuff and leave it in place for several minutes to restore some moisture to the hair.
Get Rid of Patouchi Smell from a Car
1 Dish Detergent and Water Scrub Down
To remove the smell of patouli oil from a car, wipe down all the non-fabric surfaces with a solution of dish detergent and water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Repeat the process with a fresh batch of water and detergent.
2 Club Soda Spray
Make your own low-cost deodorizing spray out of a can of plain club soda. Put it in a spray bottle and spritz all the upholstery in the car until it is quite wet. The bubbles will penetrate the fabric and help loosen the dirt. Vacuum the seats with a wet/dry vacuum. Brush baking soda onto the fabric with a stiff brush and leave it overnight. Vacuum it up the next day. Spray the seats with a fabric refresher spray and leave the windows open until they dry.
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