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DIY Projects, Fabrics · December 13, 2022

Why Do Black Jeans Smell? (Reasons and Solutions)

You notice an unpleasant smell when you put on your new black jeans. Why is that? There are several reasons black jeans develop an unpleasant smell compared to other colors. You’ve come to the right place if you wonder why your black jeans smell like chemicals. We’ll explain in this article why black jeans stink and how to get rid of the smell.

Why Do Black Jeans Smell

Are There Any Reasons Why Black Jeans Smell?

Among your most outstanding fashion achievements are black jeans. You can wear them all day long without washing them; they’re comfortable and versatile. However, You notice your black jeans sometimes smell bad, and you don’t know why. After washing them and letting them air dry, the smell doesn’t go away. I find it incredibly unpleasant and strange, and it just appeared out of nowhere. This article explains 5 reasons why your black jeans smell unpleasant. 

Reason 1: Smell From Dyes

Your new black jeans have a putrid smell due to the chemicals in the dye. To make black jeans before the discovery of the signature color, dyes and chemicals (sulfur compounds) were used. 

This chemical combination produces a pungent, concentrated odor. You may find it difficult to remove the sulfur odor from your black jeans even after frequent washing and drying. It will be easy to get rid of it once you learn how.

Reason 2: Preserving Chemicals

Formaldehyde, a preservative chemical used in manufacturing, may cause a weird smell on your new jeans. In addition to preventing mold, bacteria, mildew, and other substances from damaging fabrics, this chemical makes them wrinkle-free and stain-resistant.

Reason 3.: Smell From Dirt And Sweat

Perhaps the smell isn’t due to chemical residue on your black jeans but rather because they aren’t brand new. The frequency with which you clean them has something to do with it. The color black absorbs odors more than other colors. 

When you sweat in your pants, you leave behind a residue. In addition, black jeans absorb all kinds of smells from your body’s fungi and bacteria, resulting in unpleasant smells when worn for a long period.

Reason 4: Smell After Wash

Even though washing may seem like the most effective way to remove dirt and odor from your jeans, you may end up with smelly jeans after washing because of these reasons; It is possible to cause problems by using too much or too little detergent. It is dirty because your washing machine has residues of fabric softener, detergent, and bleach. 

Your wet jeans are left in the washing machine or dryer excessively long, preventing them from breathing fresh air. Before folding your jeans, you keep them completely dry. Most of the causes of your black jean odor are beyond our control, making it even more challenging to remove. However, wait to throw away your favorite jeans.

Reason 5: Formaldehyde

It is surprising to learn that black jeans often contain formaldehyde. This chemical prevents mildew from growing when building materials and embalming fluid are transported from the factory. Black jeans often have an unpleasant smell due to the strong smell of formaldehyde.

4 Methods of How Do You Get the Smell Out of Black Jeans?

It is sometimes the case that manufacturers must remove the odor when dyeing fabrics to obtain the desired colors. It is common for jeans, especially black ones, to still smell strongly of dye after purchasing them. Removing the dye smell from your jeans without fading them is possible by using an appropriate washing routine. The following tips and tricks will help eliminate any awful smell from your black jeans.

Method 1. Washing Them:

Putting on black jeans after washing them is the easiest solution. If the fabric has lingering dye smells or chemicals, this will remove them. You might wash the black jeans several times to remove the smell. To avoid further damage to the jeans, you should clean them thoroughly first.

Method 2. Vinegar:

Try soaking your black jeans in a vinegar solution if washing them doesn’t seem to work. Add 1 cup of vinegar to a tub or sink filled with cold water. Make sure your black jeans are soaked in the solution for at least 30 minutes (depending on how strong the smell is). Let the jeans air dry after rinsing them with cold water. Within a few hours, you should be able to smell vinegar no longer.

Method 3. Baking Soda:

Before washing your black jeans, sprinkle baking soda and let them sit for a few hours. The baking soda will absorb any odors lingering on the fabric. If you want to wash the jeans, brush off the baking soda first.

Method 4. Sunlight:

You can also try hanging your black jeans outside in the sunlight to eliminate the smell. The sunlight will kill any bacteria responsible for the unpleasant odor. It is important to hang them in a well-ventilated area so they can air out properly.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How Often Should I Wash Them?

Depending on how you use your jeans, you should wash them after wearing them three to seven times. The problem with washing them too often is that they will wear out sooner, and you will have to replace them yearly. To keep them clean, you should consider using non-washing methods.

How Do I Get A Stain Out Of My Black Jeans?

The best way to get rid of the dirt stain is to apply a paste with baking soda or vinegar to the affected area and brush it gently with a toothbrush. Then wipe the area with a damp cloth dipped in clean water and allow it to air-dry before continuing.

Black Clothes Smell Bad, can I Get Rid of It?

Using vinegar or baking soda in your wash cycle can remove many odors; if those don’t work, you can use commercial sanitizers and sports detergents. A great way to freshen fabrics is to air dry them outside.

Can I Restore the Blackness of My Faded Jeans?

It is possible to restore the color of faded jeans by soaking them in a bucket of “Rit” dye for a few hours. In almost any big box craft store, you will be able to find Rit dyes that you can use for your craft.

Conclusion

Black jeans can smell bad due to chemicals used during production, mildew from damp conditions, or sweat and sebum from dirty ones. These are a few reasons black jeans smell like burnt rubber or pennies. Hopefully, one of the methods we mentioned will help you eliminate the smell if you have this problem.

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