Get it off! Get it off!

May 11, 2011 9:03 AM

This morning I generously applied a sample of perfume oil (BPAL Eclipse, if you're wondering) that I forgot I've already tried on and hated. Now I can't stand the way I smell. How do I get it off?? I've been scrubbing with soap and water to no avail.
posted by rhiannonstone to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (12 answers total)

Best answer: Do you have any rubbing alcohol/facial toner/nail polish remover? Soap (unless it's a grease-cutter like dish soap) isn't very good at it.

But I've had your exact problem with BPAL imps I forgot I didn't like, and almost always it's gotten on my clothes before I realized it. If you can't change, you might be stuck for a couple of hours until it fades.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:07 AM on May 11, 2011

Best answer: Rubbing alcohol. (Or vodka/extra strength grain spirits/ethanol.)
posted by Uniformitarianism Now! at 9:07 AM on May 11, 2011 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Hand sanitiser gel.
posted by essexjan at 9:12 AM on May 11, 2011

Washing the affected area with toothpaste often helps me.
posted by not that girl at 9:27 AM on May 11, 2011

Well, they say if you want to clean the smell of skunk off your dog, use tomato juice. YMMV.
posted by lizbunny at 9:35 AM on May 11, 2011

An oil-based soap or olive oil should work.
posted by mikeh at 10:36 AM on May 11, 2011

Best answer: The answer is: Tide Free.

Here is a link with the procedure. Good luck!
posted by Shusha at 10:53 AM on May 11, 2011

The biggest reason Lysol "disinfectant" spray works so fast is that it contains chemicals that temporarily knock out your sense of smell.

Spritz, spritz - Ta-dah.
posted by IAmBroom at 11:42 AM on May 11, 2011

n'thing rubbing alcohol
posted by Eicats at 11:59 AM on May 11, 2011

Rubbing alcohol or (more often) hand sanitizer gel have worked for me when I've over-sampled the BPAL.
posted by devotion+doubt at 12:18 PM on May 11, 2011

N'thing rubbing alcohol, and suggesting a charcoal soap if you have one. Eclipse smelled like musty almonds and baby powder on me, so I feel your pain. I haven't tried this, but possibly try a paste of baking soda.
posted by Logic Sheep at 2:05 PM on May 11, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks, all! I had some hand sanitizer wipes with me at work that did the trick enough to keep me from going crazy until the rest of it faded. And I smelled very... sanitized all day.

Logic Sheep, I hear you on the baby powder. If it weren't for that one soft note, I'd love it.
posted by rhiannonstone at 4:49 PM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]