Getting that old musty smell out?????
 

I was given two large bags of fabric and clothes to use in quilts or whatever I wanted with them. They had been in the attic of a friend's grandmother. The Grandmother passed away over a year ago and they are just now getting to clean out her house.

I have let them air for about 3 weeks in our garage. Today I washed them twice. Once just with laundry detergent, the second time with laundry detergent and baking soda. The smell is still there.

Any suggestions on how to get all the smell out so I can use or donate these fabrics and clothes?

Thanks.

Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie

Hang them out in the sunshine, if possible; if not, hang them on hangers and around your garage for a few days. Perhaps run a wire or something across the garage to hang them on?

Hope it helps.

delma

The only way I know is outside, on a line in the sun. Might have to wait until spring... I've also heard Odoban is good (you can get it at Sam's club)

I was given a bunch of stuff with that same smell... but mine came out in washing it all. I used tide.. fabric softner AND dryer sheets! .. Good luck!

Wash it but don`t wait to hang it outside. When the cloth freezes the smell should come out. I know it`s a cold job, so I would try it on a few things, before I froze my hands off. You also could store it out side and that might help. I sure hope you get to use it as I`m always looking for free stuff to enhance my collection.

A quilt restorer told us to get smells from quilts to take them out early in the AM, spread them out on a clean sheet in the dewy grass and cover them with another clean sheet. Leave them in the sunshine until dry. Maybe this will work for your scraps. Of course you must wait until spring.;-)

I have used vinegar in the wash as well as 20 Mule Team Borax. They both can get out some pretty raunchy 'My-guy-worked-all-day-in-the-heat' smells. If your washer hasn't been cleaned in some time, you may want to run your washer empty with only hot water and Borax to clean the washer first. That should ensure no added odors are added to the fabrics.

I've been told that vinegar instead of fabric softener will help with the smell on towels left in the washer too long. So, that should work for your fabrics, too.

I use the 20 Mule team Borax and it is good stuff. Maybe spray with Frabreeze also.

I would try this in the washing machine along with detergent, vinegar rinse, etc:
http://www.amazon.com/ODORZOUT-Laund...dp/B002YD7WHU/

Probably a good outside hanging would help.

We dry everything outside here....probably completely impractical for you and your current weather conditions, but I have had success just washing and draping over my rosemary and lavender bushes.

You could try a few drops of Oil of Cloves in the washing machine and wash them again. This works well if you happen to leave your washed clothes in the machine over night and they get that musty smell. Can't hurt