Getting rid of odours in your waxed jacket. This is what worked for me.

As you'll know, I regularly purchase wax jackets. Sometimes online, and sometimes from a charity shop or at a vintage market. What I often notice is that the jackets occasionally carry rather peculiar odours. Sometimes they smell of wet dog fur, sometimes they have that musty scent of an old bookshop, sometimes they reek of a pub or heavy smoking, and sometimes there's an indefinable sour smell that I wouldn't dare venture to guess the origins of.

Before I re-wax my jackets and offer them for sale, I naturally want to get rid of these odours in my waxed jackets. Consequently, I've been searching for effective methods to remove those smells. Here's what actually worked.

Photo by Kyle Loftus on Unsplash

Below Freezing Point

I'm rather fortunate to live in a country where winters are still properly cold. In an era when the climate is going to pot, that's quite remarkable really. What I always do, whenever I acquire second-hand wax jackets during the colder months, is hang them outside in the cold for a few nights. In many cases, this proves to be an excellent solution. However, many odours are caused by bacteria, and you can't resolve that with cold alone. As soon as the jacket warms up again, the bacteria spring back to life.

In the Sunlight

Put simply, UV radiation can damage bacterial DNA, which largely ensures that the odour they produce disappears as well. In many instances, particularly when the smell is caused by a surface stain—which is frequently the case—this is an outstanding solution. Make certain you hang the jacket inside-out in direct sunlight for several days as well. Do bear in mind, though, that extreme heat can damage the wax in your jacket. Therefore, only employ this method when it's not too warm outside, and preferably before you treat your jacket with a fresh coat of wax.

Grandmother's Vinegar

White vinegar is something of a miracle remedy. It eliminates approximately 80 per cent of the most common bacteria. A small bucket with a bit of lukewarm water and a modest splash of vinegar can be an excellent way to banish odours. Apply this solution with a microfibre cloth without soaking the jacket through. Treat both the inside and the outside. Allow your jacket to dry slowly, avoiding excessively high temperatures during the drying process. Repeat this procedure once more if you still detect something after a few days.

Bicarbonate of Soda

When you suspect the odour is emanating from your jacket's lining, bicarbonate of soda is a splendid choice. Whilst bicarbonate of soda doesn't kill bacteria, it's an excellent remedy against certain odours. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the areas you suspect aren't smelling pleasant, leave the jacket overnight, then give it a good shake outdoors if possible, and use your vacuum cleaner to finish the job.

A Fresh Wax Coating

This sounds rather odd, but it can help to apply a new layer of wax. I often notice this when I receive a jacket that simply smells a bit musty, perhaps having hung unused in a hallway cupboard for five years. The jacket doesn't stink per se, but it doesn't smell fresh either. Often, after I've treated the jacket with a new coat of wax, heated it properly, and allowed it to penetrate the cotton thoroughly, the mustiness disappears entirely.