So, I bought these new black jeans the other day, and man, they looked sharp. But when I got them home, I noticed this weird, kinda chemical smell. It was pretty strong, too. I figured it was just from the dye, but it was not going away, even after I wore them out a couple of times.

I tried just letting them air out for a few days, hoping that would do the trick. I hung them up outside on the clothesline, but no dice. The smell was still there, just as strong as before.
First Try: Just Air It Out
- Hung the jeans outside on the clothesline.
- Left them there for a couple of days.
- Checked for the smell – still there, just as strong.
Next, I thought maybe a good wash would help. I tossed them in the washing machine with my regular detergent, thinking that would take care of it. But nope, the smell was still lingering after they came out of the dryer. It was frustrating, to say the least.
Second Try: Regular Wash
- Threw the jeans in the washing machine.
- Used my regular detergent.
- Ran a normal wash cycle.
- Dried them in the dryer.
- Smelled them – still stinky.
I was starting to get annoyed, so I did a little digging online. I found this tip about using white vinegar. Apparently, it’s good for getting rid of smells. I mixed up a solution of white vinegar and cold water in the sink. I made sure the jeans were completely covered and let them soak for about an hour.
After the soak, I rinsed them really well with cold water. Then, the waiting game – I needed to let them dry completely to see if it worked. I hung them up again, this time inside, and waited.
Third Try: Vinegar Soak
- Mixed white vinegar with cold water in the sink.
- Soaked the jeans for about an hour.
- Ensured the jeans were fully submerged.
- Rinsed thoroughly with cold water.
- Hung them up to dry completely.
Finally, after they were totally dry, I gave them a sniff. And guess what? The smell was gone! It was such a relief. I guess the vinegar did the trick. It’s a bit of a process, but hey, it worked, and now I can wear my new jeans without that awful smell.
So, if you ever have this problem, give the vinegar soak a try. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it to get rid of that stubborn dye smell.