Your winter coat has been through four months of commutes, coffee shops, and gym bags. It smells like it too. But before you haul it to the dry cleaner, laundry expert Patric Richardson—known as "The Laundry Evangelist"—has a fix that costs about the same as a drink: vodka.
The trick is absurdly simple. Fill a spray bottle with vodka (40% ABV or higher), mist your coat thoroughly, wait five to ten minutes, and let it air dry. That's it.
Why it works comes down to chemistry. Vodka's high alcohol content is antibacterial, which means it kills the odor-causing bacteria that accumulate in fabric over time—especially in high-sweat zones like underarms and collar creases. Unlike washing, which requires water, heat, and time, the spray targets the smell at its source without any of the hassle of dealing with a bulky, wet garment.
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Start Your News DetoxRichardson emphasizes the importance of misting thoroughly. "Spray it, spray it, spray it," he says. The goal is saturation, not just a light sprinkle. You want the alcohol to reach all the bacteria-harboring fibers.
The method works beyond winter coats too. Gym bags, dress jackets, and even delicate fabrics that can't handle frequent washing all benefit from the same treatment. Richardson also uses it to neutralize strong scents—perfume that's lingered too long, restaurant smells baked into wool—without replacing one odor with another.
One important caveat: stick with vodka (or other high-proof spirits). Isopropyl alcohol, despite its antibacterial reputation, leaves its own unpleasant residual smell that defeats the purpose.
This isn't a replacement for actual washing—if your coat is visibly dirty, it still needs water and soap. But for the stretch between cleanings, when something just needs to smell fresh again, vodka spray is a faster, gentler alternative that works.
