Smoke Smell in Garage Sale Fabric
#92
If it smells it also has smoke residue on it and that effects the color. I would suggest washing it all 1 load at a time with vinegar(white). I don't put it in the dryer as I don't like to lose the new feel but you will be surprised how much smoke residue can dull the fabric. I take it out of washer and hang it on hangers and let it dry naturally inside away from the sun.
#95
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 353
I didn't read through all of these pages but 20 Mule Team Borax added to the laundry loads should help, at least a cup. Fill the tub, add the borax, let it swish around and disolve then add fabric. Swish it around then let it set in the water for 15 min or so.
About 20 years ago, our son lived in the jungle of Belize for a year and a half. With no electric, clothes were washed by hand and hung up to dry. With the rain and humidity there, nothing ever truly dried, so mold was the main odor when he returned. We did all of his laundry this way, put it on the line to dry.Everything smelled good again.
People have forgotten what a great laundry aid 20 Mule Team is, especially for odor. Even works with some 'fire' smell.
We've used it for flea control in our carpeting too for 30 years.
About 20 years ago, our son lived in the jungle of Belize for a year and a half. With no electric, clothes were washed by hand and hung up to dry. With the rain and humidity there, nothing ever truly dried, so mold was the main odor when he returned. We did all of his laundry this way, put it on the line to dry.Everything smelled good again.
People have forgotten what a great laundry aid 20 Mule Team is, especially for odor. Even works with some 'fire' smell.
We've used it for flea control in our carpeting too for 30 years.
#96
Google Goddess
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central Indiana (USA)
Posts: 30,181
thanks for letting us know how you got the smoke smell out of fabric
Originally Posted by Twisted Quilter
I just got 9 yards of fabric at a garage sale that reeked of smoke. I just threw it in the washer with a cup of white vinegar and regular detergent and the smoke smell is gone.
#98
You can put them in the dryer on frenshen load or something similar to that - depending on your dryer -- I would put a fabric sheet with it tho.
A friend and I received a quilt top that was made by a heavy smoker and we had to get the odor out - no way we could give it to fire victims that way & we just freshed it in the dryer and it worked! Better than having to wash it all right now and certainly worth the try.
A friend and I received a quilt top that was made by a heavy smoker and we had to get the odor out - no way we could give it to fire victims that way & we just freshed it in the dryer and it worked! Better than having to wash it all right now and certainly worth the try.
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