Chloe Zhang
Jeans are a wardrobe staple for many, but they can sometimes emit an unpleasant odour, particularly when new. This smell is often caused by a combination of chemicals and dyes used during the manufacturing process, with darker jeans tending to have a stronger scent due to the increased number of dye baths they undergo. The odour can be challenging to remove, even after multiple washes, and may pose potential health risks due to the presence of hazardous chemicals. Various methods can be employed to eliminate the smell, including handwashing with castile soap, using oxygen bleach, or soaking in vinegar and salt before sun exposure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of the plastic smell | Dye used on the jeans, especially black or blue jeans |
| Formaldehyde used to protect fabric from mildew and bugs during storage and shipping | |
| Hazardous chemicals used during the manufacturing process | |
| Solutions | Wash jeans before wearing |
| Wash with detergent in cold water | |
| Soak in a solution of white vinegar and water, or vinegar, salt, and water | |
| Soak in borax and Charlie's soap | |
| Soak in a bleach solution (may cause colour to fade) | |
| Wash with petroleum-based dishwashing liquid | |
| Wash with oxygen bleach | |
| Wash with castile soap | |
| Wash with baking soda |
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What You'll Learn
Dye used on jeans can cause a plastic smell
The dye used on jeans can cause a plastic smell. This is due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, which can be harmful to human health. Indigo or indigotin is a type of dye that was originally extracted from the indigo and woad plants, giving fabric a bright blue colour. However, today, cheap and potentially harmful chemicals are used to produce these dyes. The chemical dye can be absorbed through the skin and impact organs in the body, such as the liver.
The smell of the dye on jeans can be quite strong and unpleasant, often described as toxic and resembling old cupboards or moth balls. It is important to remove this smell, as prolonged exposure to the chemicals in the dye can lead to significant health issues. Washing jeans can help reduce the smell, but it may take multiple washes, especially if the fabric was heavily treated.
To effectively remove the dye smell from jeans, it is recommended to use products that can break down and neutralise chemicals and odours. One such product is the EnviroKlenz Laundry Enhancer, which uses earth mineral technology to break down and neutralise chemicals without the use of additional chemicals or masking agents. Another suggested method is to hand wash jeans with castile soap, such as Dr. Bronner's pure-castile liquid soap, which can help eliminate the chemical odour.
In addition to specialised products, there are several household items that can be used to combat the dye smell in jeans. White vinegar is a popular choice, as its high acidity naturally breaks down odour-causing substances. It can be used by mixing it with cold water and soaking the jeans for 30-60 minutes, followed by a thorough rinse. Similarly, baking soda can be dissolved in warm water, and jeans can be soaked in this solution overnight before being washed the next day. Oxygen bleach, such as Oxiclean, is another effective method, as it helps to attack the chemicals embedded in the cotton fibres.
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$43.99
Formaldehyde used in manufacturing can cause a chemical smell
Formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable gas with a strong odour that is commonly used in many manufacturing processes. It is a chemical used in the production of adhesives, bonding agents, and solvents. It is also used in the manufacturing of jeans to protect the fabric from mildew and bugs during storage. Formaldehyde is also a byproduct of combustion. When burning natural gas, kerosene, gasoline, wood, or tobacco, formaldehyde is produced.
Formaldehyde can be identified by its strong pickle-like odour. It easily becomes a gas at room temperature, which makes it part of a larger group of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When an item gives off formaldehyde, it is released into the air through a process called off-gassing.
Some people are more sensitive to chemicals like formaldehyde and may experience symptoms such as eye, nose, throat, skin irritation, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde may cause some types of cancer.
To remove formaldehyde from jeans, it is recommended to wash them in cold water with detergent and then hang them to dry. After they are dry, fill a bucket, tub, or sink with warm water and soak the jeans. To remove the chemicals and chemical odours, use a laundry enhancer that can break down and neutralise chemicals and odours without using additional chemicals or masking agents. Finally, throw the jeans in the washing machine again on a cold-water cycle and hang them up to dry.
Additionally, increasing ventilation and air circulation can help reduce formaldehyde exposure. Opening windows, using fans, or utilising a central ventilation system can lower the concentration of formaldehyde in the air.
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Health risks of absorbing toxic dyes through the skin
The smell of new jeans can be caused by a mix of chemicals used in the manufacturing process and dyes used to colour the fabric. This odour can be abrasive and harsh, and when exposed to it for long periods, or if it is absorbed into the skin, it can lead to significant health issues.
The skin is the body's largest organ, and it can absorb things through it, just like the stomach. This means that the chemicals in jeans can be absorbed through the skin and cause toxic effects. Azo dyes, which account for 60-70% of clothing dyes, have been found to cause cancer and are banned in the EU. They are created by combining nitrogen and carbon atoms, and while they produce cheap and colourful results, they are extremely polluting and carcinogenic.
Other toxic dyes are considered respiratory sensitisers, which is especially a problem for garment workers. By breathing them in regularly, they can develop occupational asthma and experience eye irritation, wheezing, and breathlessness.
Some of the health risks associated with absorbing toxic dyes through the skin include allergic reactions, endocrine disruptions, and tumour formation. Aniline, for example, is a toxic chemical found in some dyes that can cause a rash and, in high amounts, can be fatal if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.
To minimise health risks, it is important to wash new jeans before wearing them to remove any hazardous chemicals and strong odours.
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Tips to remove the plastic smell from jeans
The plastic smell from jeans can be attributed to a mix of chemicals used in the manufacturing process and dyes used to give jeans a rich blue color. Indigo or indigotin, the dye stuff originally extracted from indigo and woad plants, brings a bright blue color to the fabric along with a strong chemical smell. Cheap chemicals used to produce these dyes can be harmful to human health and can be absorbed through the skin, impacting organs like the liver.
Wash your jeans
Washing jeans in cold water with detergent and hanging them to dry can help remove both hazardous chemicals and strong odors. Washing can reduce formaldehyde, a chemical commonly applied to clothes to prevent mold, bacteria, and mildew during storage and shipping. However, heavily treated fabrics may require multiple washes to completely eliminate formaldehyde.
Soak in vinegar and water
White vinegar can help remove the formaldehyde smell from jeans. Mix one cup of white vinegar with a gallon of water and soak your jeans for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing thoroughly with cold water. Vinegar naturally breaks down odor-causing substances and helps flush away residues and off-gassing chemicals that create a strong chemical odor.
Use baking soda
Baking soda is effective in busting through smells. Dissolve one to two cups of baking soda in warm water, fully submerge your jeans, and let them soak overnight. Rinse the jeans in cold water and hang them to air dry in a ventilated area.
Expose to UV light
Hang your jeans outside in the sun, but avoid direct sunlight, as the UV rays can help break down chemicals that cause odors. You can also spray your jeans with diluted vinegar to accelerate the sun's odor-eliminating effect.
Use castile soap
Castile soap is an all-natural product made from vegetable oils that can help remove chemical odors. Hand-wash your jeans with castile soap by adding half a cup to warm water, soaking the jeans for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinsing and hanging them to dry.
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Why some jeans are more prone to smelling like plastic
Jeans are predominantly made from natural fibres like cotton, which means they have good breathability and moisture-wicking properties. However, sweat, dirt, bacteria, and spills can cause jeans to smell before the 10-wear mark, and they will need to be washed. If your jeans smell even after washing them, it could be due to several reasons.
Firstly, the smell could be caused by the dyes used to colour the jeans, especially darker jeans. The dye may have a strong chemical smell that can be harmful to human health as the chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and impact organs like the liver. The smell may fade as the jeans are washed and lose their dark colour, but it may take many washes for the odour to dissipate.
Secondly, some jeans may smell like plastic due to the use of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is used to protect the fabric from mildew and bugs during storage and shipping, and it can have a strong, toxic odour. Washing new jeans can help reduce formaldehyde, but it may not be entirely removed in one wash, especially if the fabric was heavily treated. Airing out the jeans in the sun and using natural deodorizers like vinegar can also help neutralize the smell.
Additionally, some jeans may have a plastic smell due to the type of detergent or fabric softener used. Natural detergents may not effectively remove the smell from polyester fibres found in cheaper jeans. Using a petroleum-based dishwashing liquid or an enzymatic cleaner may help eliminate the odour.
Finally, the smell could be due to mildew in the washing machine, which can embed itself into the fabric during washing. In this case, cleaning the washing machine and drying the jeans thoroughly may help eliminate the smell.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic smell could be due to formaldehyde, a chemical used to protect the fabric from mildew and bugs during storage. It could also be caused by the dyes or dye fixatives used in the jeans, especially in darker jeans.
Here are a few methods to remove the plastic smell from your jeans:
- Wash your jeans with a gentle detergent and natural deodorizers, then air-dry them in the sun.
- Soak your jeans in a mixture of white vinegar and water for 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse them thoroughly with cold water.
- Hand wash your jeans with castile soap, a natural cleaner that helps to remove chemical odors.
- Wash your jeans with a petroleum-based dishwashing liquid.
To prevent your jeans from smelling like plastic, try to avoid purchasing jeans treated with excessive chemicals or cheap dyes. Look for brands that prioritize ecologically friendly practices, such as Levi's, which has been praised for its commitment to avoiding toxic dyes and chemicals. Additionally, consider choosing jeans made from natural fibres like cotton, as they have better breathability and moisture-wicking properties, reducing the need for frequent washing.
