How to get rid of fungus in hoarded fabric

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09-05-2013, 07:58 AM

#11

cwcquilters

Junior Member

Join Date: Nov 2011

Location: Newark, Ohio

Posts: 139

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftlady

Hi,
I have lots of fabric which are 2 or more years old. I occassionally take them all out and air them but recently I have noticed that they have a fungus smell. I run a boutique for ready-made clothing and I can't sew using smelly fabric! I stitched using one and had to wash it because of the smell, the dress looks as if its used now! please advice. And can anybody suggest how to ward off fungus from my fabric stash? I use a bit of silica get crystals here and there it may not be enough......

I use distilled vinegar when I find items that have an odor. I have a front loader is I place it in the bleach compartment and the rinse compartment. That is all I use as a rinse agent and softener. I stopped using Downy, Snuggle, etc. due to allergies. Vinegar works great and even takes the smells out of my husbands work clothes.

09-05-2013, 01:26 PM

#12

katclock

Member

Join Date: May 2012

Location: Coastal Georgia

Posts: 41

Using a spray starch when you iron should help give the items a crisp look after the fabric is washed.

09-05-2013, 07:16 PM

#13

Pepita

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Richmond, TX

Posts: 439

I would try to hang the fabric in the sun. There is some kind of chemical reaction that takes place, just by putting the fabric in the sun. I do think the vinegar/ammonia wash is important as well.