I sew in my laundry room. Often times I use the top of the dryer for little pieces, cutting. And wouldn't you know - sometimes a little piece gets into a laundry load. Well, there is sometimes a bit of fraying, but usually they turn out fine. It would be a job to press the pieces afterwards, but I'd sure consider it. If you just air the pieces of fabric, you'll still get the smell when you press seams. And the finished product would smell. And the ones you store for next time wouldn't get sweeter with age. Yup, I'd wash them if it were my stuff.
What a bargain. I always wish for a find like that at a garage sale.