'Been in storage too long'. How do you get the smell out?
04-13-2010, 12:02 AM
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 198
I'm sure I'd have to wash those things. I hate to wash fabrics and laces in the washing machine so I just soak and rinse. The real odor killer is fresh air and if the fabrics are old and have the old dyes in them I'd air dry them out of the sun.
Fabrics saved by the last generation in my family used cedar and mothballs - a frighteningly strong combo. Hung on coat hangers with clothes pins under the deck (in the shade) got rid of the odor in less than a day.
Jois
Fabrics saved by the last generation in my family used cedar and mothballs - a frighteningly strong combo. Hung on coat hangers with clothes pins under the deck (in the shade) got rid of the odor in less than a day.
Jois
04-13-2010, 02:56 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,453
Originally Posted by Prism99
Originally Posted by CAROLJ
This really works, get activated charcoal. (Not the stuff you BBQ with.) You can get it at pet stores in the fish section. Put the stuff it in a closed container for a day or two and it takes our most orders. Set it outside on the grass overnight, if it doesn't get to damp, and everything will be gone. Ir will even take out cigar smoke.
the small stuff..i would di it in a sink or let it set in the sun like suggested.
i use ammonia that has lemon scent in it..at the dollor store.
04-13-2010, 03:02 AM
#23
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 93
Originally Posted by Honey
Try using a goodly amount of cloudy amonia with your laundry soap. I have used it for years. It really helps. It also takes that gunky feeling out of kitchen towels. It also takes the sour smell out of cloths and towels that have sat wet for to long.
04-13-2010, 03:09 AM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,453
cloudy ammonia has a little soap added in. This was done because originally ammonia was cloudy. When they figured out how to make it clear, people were already used to it looking cloudy, so they started adding soap to give it the same look.
04-13-2010, 03:58 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Missouri
Posts: 959
Use dry milk in the wash water. About 1/2-1 cup in 1/2 washer load. You can even turn the washer off and let the fabric soak for awhile. Then use vinegar in the rinse water, not fabric softener. The only smell I haven't been able to get out is moth balls from a quilt my grand mother made.
04-13-2010, 04:23 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Western New York
Posts: 381
You just need to put a cup or something to hold the baking soda in , in with the fabric, let it set for a while after that you can hang the fabric out on a clothesline and the smell should be gone, Yes this works for stuff that smells like smoke too.
04-13-2010, 05:20 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 511
Originally Posted by dsb38327
I have inherited, over time, contents from 3 loved ones sewing rooms. Some of the things had been in storage too long and have 'the smell'. I use a vinegar soak but it takes many washings and sometimes the items are a loss and have to be tossed. The smell is that of our great, great, (?great?) grandparents house and furniture after it has been closed for years with no fresh air.
Anyone have tips and tricks?
Anyone have tips and tricks?
04-13-2010, 05:37 AM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: North Texas
Posts: 8,710
Before trying all the soaking, etc. which I am sure works also.....I take the donated fabric and put it out in my well hosue which is cold and dry. Leave it a few weeks and walla....no smell. Then you can do normal washing. Cigarette smoke, pet smells, etc. I found this out because my sister smokes and gave me some great purses and when I got home I could smell the smoke..put them outside just because and discovered it worked. no smell. Hope this little suggestion works.
04-13-2010, 06:53 AM
#30
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: MS
Posts: 3,434
Originally Posted by Prism99
Originally Posted by CAROLJ
This really works, get activated charcoal. (Not the stuff you BBQ with.) You can get it at pet stores in the fish section. Put the stuff it in a closed container for a day or two and it takes our most orders. Set it outside on the grass overnight, if it doesn't get to damp, and everything will be gone. Ir will even take out cigar smoke.
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