How To Get Fishy Smell Out Of Clothes (2025 Guide)?

Last weekend on Lake Travis, I helped my buddy land a 7-pound bass – his personal best. We were stoked until he realized his favorite fishing shirt smelled like he'd been swimming in a bait bucket. Three washes later, that funk was still hanging on stronger than a catfish on a trotline.

After 20 years of kayak fishing from Texas to Florida, I've battled every kind of fish smell imaginable. From slimy catfish slime to oily salmon residue, I've learned what actually works to get that stubborn fish smell out of clothes – and what's just a waste of detergent.

Whether you've been cleaning your catch, handling bait, or just caught some spray from that excited bass doing backflips next to your fishing kayak, this guide has you covered. I'll share the methods that have saved countless fishing shirts, plus a few tricks I picked up from commercial fishermen who deal with this daily.

Why Fish Smell Sticks To Your Clothes Like Glue?

Before diving into solutions, let's talk about why fish odor is such a pain to remove. Fish contain trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), which breaks down into trimethylamine (TMA) when exposed to air. This compound bonds with fabric fibers at a molecular level – especially in synthetic fishing shirts and moisture-wicking materials.

The oilier the fish, the worse it gets. Ever handled a fresh mackerel or salmon? That oil penetrates deep into fabric fibers, creating a smell that laughs at regular detergent. Add in some Texas heat, and those proteins literally cook into your clothes.

My Go-To Method: The Vinegar Soak Solution

Here's what works 90% of the time on my fishing gear:

What You'll Need:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• Warm water (not hot – that sets the smell)
• Large bucket or sink

The Process:

1. Rinse clothes in cold water first (removes surface oils)
2. Fill bucket with warm water
3. Add vinegar and baking soda
4. Submerge clothes completely
5. Soak for 30-60 minutes
6. Wash normally with your regular detergent

This combo works because vinegar's acetic acid neutralizes the alkaline fish compounds while baking soda lifts the oils. I've used this on everything from my kayak fishing shirts to my lucky fishing hat.

How To Get Fish Smell Out Of Clothes In Washing Machine?

Sometimes you need the heavy artillery – your washing machine. Here's my proven wash cycle for stubborn fish odors:

The Power Wash Method

1. Pre-treat: Spray affected areas with equal parts water and white vinegar
2. Load smart: Don't overpack – clothes need room to move
3. Temperature: Use warm water (not hot) – around 90-100°F
4. Detergent boost: Add your regular detergent PLUS:
   • ½ cup white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser
   • ½ cup baking soda directly in the drum

Pro Washing Tips From The Dock

• Double rinse: Always use the extra rinse cycle
• Enzyme detergents: Products like Persil ProClean work better on protein-based odors
• Skip the fabric softener: It can lock in odors
• Wash fishing clothes separately: Don't contaminate your other gear

Last month, I forgot to rinse my shirt after cleaning a limit of crappie. Even after sitting overnight, this method brought it back from the dead.

Alternative Methods That Actually Work

1. The Lemon Juice Treatment

Mix ¼ cup lemon juice with your regular detergent. The citric acid cuts through fish oils like nobody's business. Works especially well on white or light-colored fishing shirts.

2. Borax Power Soak

Add ½ cup borax to your wash cycle. This stuff is magic on fish blood stains too. Just don't mix it with other cleaners – learned that lesson the hard way.

3. The Vodka Spray (No Joke!)

Fill a spray bottle with cheap vodka, spray down your clothes, let them air dry. The alcohol breaks down odor molecules and evaporates clean. Perfect for quick cleanups at the boat ramp.

4. Ammonia Nuclear Option

For clothes that smell like a fish market dumpster:

• Add ¼ cup household ammonia to wash cycle
• NEVER mix with bleach or other cleaners
• Use only in well-ventilated areas
• Run an extra rinse cycle

How To Get Fish Smell Out Of Clothes Without Washing?

Sometimes you're at the lake or don't have access to a washing machine. Here's what works:

The Sunshine Method

1. Spray clothes with diluted vinegar (1:1 with water)
2. Hang in direct sunlight
3. Let UV rays work their magic for 4-6 hours
4. Brush off any dried residue

UV light naturally breaks down odor compounds. I keep a spray bottle of vinegar solution in my truck for this reason.

Baking Soda Dry Treatment

1. Lay clothes flat
2. Sprinkle liberally with baking soda
3. Seal in plastic bag overnight
4. Shake out and air dry

This saved my favorite fishing jacket when I was camping at Colorado's best kayaking spots last summer.

How To Get Rid Of Fishy Smell On New Clothes?

Bought new fishing gear that smells like a seafood counter? This happens with some imported clothing due to manufacturing chemicals. Here's the fix:

1. First wash: Cold water with 1 cup white vinegar (no detergent)
2. Second wash: Regular cycle with detergent + ½ cup baking soda
3. Air dry: Outside if possible
4. Repeat if needed: Some stubborn manufacturing odors take 2-3 cycles

Special Considerations For Technical Fishing Gear

Modern fishing shirts with UPF protection and moisture-wicking require gentler treatment:

• Lower temperatures: Keep water under 100°F
• Avoid harsh chemicals: No bleach or strong ammonia
• Turn inside out: Protects technical coatings
• Air dry when possible: Heat can damage performance fabrics

I learned this after ruining a $80 Columbia fishing shirt with hot water and too much enthusiasm.

Preventing Fish Smell In The First Place

An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure:

On The Water

• Wear gloves when handling fish (nitrile work great)
• Keep a "fish towel" separate from your regular gear
• Rinse hands and clothes with lake/river water immediately
• Change shirts after cleaning your catch

At The Ramp

• Keep spare clothes in a dry bag
• Rinse gear before loading up
• Store fishy clothes in a sealed bag until washing

Check out these essential kayak accessories that include waterproof storage solutions.

When Nothing Else Works?

Some clothes are beyond saving. If you've tried everything and that smell won't budge:

1. Dedicated fishing clothes: Keep them just for fishing
2. The tuna drawer: Like my commercial fishing friends – separate storage
3. Replace when needed: Sometimes it's time for new gear

I have a set of "bait clothes" that permanently smell like shad. They live in a sealed bag in my garage and only come out for catfishing trips.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

1. Using Hot Water

Heat sets protein stains and odors. Learned this after basically cooking fish smell into my favorite tournament shirt.

2. Drying Before Treating

Never put fishy clothes in the dryer before removing the smell. Heat makes it permanent.

3. Mixing Cleaning Products

Vinegar + bleach = toxic chlorine gas. Stick to one method at a time.

4. Overloading The Washer

Clothes need room to agitate. Half-full loads clean better than packed ones.

Product Recommendations That Work

After testing dozens of products, here are my top picks:

• Best Enzyme Detergent: Persil ProClean
• Best Odor Eliminator: OdorXit Concentrate
• Best Natural Option: White vinegar + baking soda
• Best Pre-treatment: Dawn dish soap (cuts through oils)

FAQ Section

Can fishing clothes smell permanently?

Yes, if fish oils dry and set with heat. That's why immediate treatment matters. I've saved shirts that sat for days, but quick action always works better.

Does freezing remove fish smell?

Freezing can reduce odors temporarily but doesn't eliminate them. The smell returns when clothes thaw. Stick to washing methods for permanent results.

Why do my clothes still smell fishy after washing?

Usually means oils weren't fully removed. Try a longer soak with stronger vinegar concentration or switch to an enzyme-based detergent designed for protein stains.

Can I use these methods on waders and rain gear?

Yes, but check manufacturer instructions first. Most waterproof gear handles vinegar fine, but avoid harsh chemicals that might damage coatings.

What about fish blood stains?

Soak in cold salt water first, then treat with hydrogen peroxide before washing. Hot water sets blood stains permanently.

Is the vodka method safe for all fabrics?

Yes, vodka won't damage fabrics and leaves no residue. Use the cheapest bottle you can find – save the good stuff for celebrating that trophy catch.

How do I get fish smell out of neoprene?

Mix Dawn dish soap with warm water, scrub gently, rinse thoroughly. Neoprene holds odors worse than regular fabric, so multiple treatments might be needed.

Can these methods damage fishing shirts with UPF protection?

Vinegar and baking soda are safe for UPF fabrics. Avoid bleach, fabric softeners, and high heat which can break down sun protection.

The Bottom Line

Getting fish smell out of clothes doesn't have to ruin your day. Start with the vinegar-baking soda soak for most situations. For stubborn odors, graduate to enzyme detergents or the ammonia method. And remember – the faster you treat those fishy clothes, the better your chances of saving them.

After two decades of kayak fishing adventures, I've learned that fish smell is just part of the game. But with these methods, you can keep catching fish without smelling like one.

Now get out there and stick some fish – just remember to pack that vinegar!