Stinky throws
 

I had 3 boughten throws on a chair by my door. I picked up one of them to use the other night and it smelled awful. So I got the second one, and it too, stunk. The third one was fine, no smell.
My question is: What can I do to get the stink out? It smells a little like petroleum or old something. I have washed them several times. The first time I soaked them in vinegar all night and washed them the next day, still stinky. The next time I washed them with some cheap soap from the $ store that had a powerful smell, no luck, still stinky. I've used fabric softener and fabric sheets. I need help. I don't want to throw them away, but I can't stand to use them. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks, Ellie

You could try washing them yet another time and hang them outside to dry all day in the sunshine, if you have a clothesline...or a fence to drape them over. I hate that chemical-y smell of some new items. Good luck.

What was your water temperature? I bought some rather expensive sheets and when I washed them for the first time the smell did not leave. So I read the washing directions and it said to wash them in hot water. I never use hot water - but I did this time and it did the trick. Did you check the washing directions for your throws?

Also, when I have very dirty items now, I use Oxy-Clean, it it is just smells, I use baking soda.

Put them on the soak cycle with your regular washing soap and a quarter cup of ammonia. Then put it through the cycle. If the oil smell is gone was it again as per usual and no ammonia. That is what has been working for me. Fabric softener (scented) only add to the problem. I have been using Seventh Generation softener dry sheets and will discontinue because they leave a residue in my dryer. One half sheet will go through 3 loads but not liking the residue. I have alternated with using a sponge soaked in white vinegar (squeezed out of course) and like the results from that. I don't use the Mr. Clean eraser sponge. the microfiber falls apart.

I have had success getting diesel odor out of my husband's work clothes using an "orange" based cleanser. It can take several washes. I almost want to just throw them away. Sometimes hanging them in the sun will help with odors, but sometimes not. Good luck!

The only thing I've found that really removed any and all odors is called 'Odo-ban". It is primarily used for animal smells (cat urine, etc), but when I put a cup of it in my washer, everything comes out smelling clean and fresh!! You can buy it at pet stores (Pet Smart and the like). It comes in quart to 5 gallon containers and worth its weight in gold!

What is the fiber content?

I washed some clothes that had smoke from a fire I just
poured some Febreeze. Into the washer along with tide detergent and they came out with no trace of smoke

Well thanks to all of you for your suggestions. Looks like I've got a lot of choices. These throws are not new, I have had them for a couple of years. It was strange to me that the 3rd one (very expensive), did not pick up the odor, whatever it was.

I will try and figure out which works best. Right now my husband is having some heart problems and will go to the hospital on Tuesday to take care of whatever it is. Then today he cut himself badly and I had to take him to the ER to have stitches. He's not feeling very well tonight. Our kids are coming home for a short weekend and will finish the job he was working on. So the throws will just have to wait in the utility room until I can get to them.

Again, I can always find answers to problems here on the Board. What a great group of people.

Thanks again! Ellie