topic Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes! in Community Chat

Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:09:51 GMT

This is the first time something I've ordered from Louis that has that horrible smell in it.

I didn't even realize it had the smell (wool jacket) in it (it was still in the pastic wrapper.

I'd thrown it over in a pile of clothes with the wrapper still on it.

I pulled off the layers of clothes in the pile and one by one that horrible smell kept getting stronger.

Finally, I got to the wool jacket from Louis. I'd just tossed it in the pile and threw more clothes on top.

Now all of the clothes smell terrible. I've always been told it was Formalydyde by the ladies who worked at Joann Fabric store.

They'd tell me they'd feel dizzy working around the material that had the strong smell.

Well, here's one explanation. I've tried over and over to get the smell off of this coat of his that I love so much.

Vinegar doesn't do it. Airing it out doesn't do it. Now all of the clothes on top and under this garmet have that terrible smell.

I won't buy my daughter's dog toys anymore because they're all made in China.

Yet in this country more and more people are coming down with various cancers. All we hear about is we have to do more to help the environment but no one says a word about how our medicine and everything is made in China. China is one of the largest contributors of poluting the environment there is.

I found this on the internet:https://www.home-ec101.com/formaldehyde-its-not-just-for-embalming-anymore/

The smell you are referring to is most likely formaldehyde. I used to work for Old Navy and I’d come home with that smell all over me. My dad would tease me about smelling like a mortician, because that’s the chemical that is most often used in embalming. In clothing manufacturing formaldehyde is used because, in theory, when combined with urea (Yes! That’s pee! Ewwww!) it makes the clothing more wrinkle resistant, stain resistant, and is a disinfectant (what self respecting germ could survive that?). For you chemistry nerds out there, here’s a wikipedia article on formaldehyde.

So, what’s the best way to get rid of the smell? Borax and/or baking soda. When I worked at Old Navy, I would use baking soda to wash my hands when I got home. It usually worked.

In your case, I’d probably use a cup of baking soda per load of new clothing. It may take several washings as some companies are now using even stronger disinfectants and even pesticides to protect the clothing during clothing is storage.

But my point is not everything can be washed.....(like this jacket).

I hate to return it like I've done so many other things.

I remember once I spilt an entire bottle of water..just water..on my bed. After awhile the entire mattress area where I'd spilt the water started smelling like that terrible smell in the clothes.

That's when I bought a new sleep number bed.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

hopi — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:13:06 GMT

I get rid of the smell by sending it back and marking it defective.

Those chemicals have to be so toxic to smell that bad.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

RedTop — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:31:55 GMT

To get rid of smells like that, the clothing needs to be hung outside in the air, a sheltered spot on a back porch, in the garage, or in a storage building for at least a week.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

SandySparkles — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:36:55 GMT

I've had to return an item from another network because of a strong chemical odor. I checked reviews and saw many similar complaints. Airing it out for a few days, helped some, but the strong scent remained. I didn't even bother washing it, packed it up, and sent it back. A lady at my doctor's office with a beautiful jacket sat next to me, and it wreaked of chemical. Hopefully, a cost effective way to preserve clothing during transport, prevent wrinkles etc, without the use of potentially toxic chemicals will be discovered soon. Until then...😐

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

fthunt — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:40:36 GMT

@RedTop Air ain't the answer.................

Two years ago bought a jean jacket from L L Bean and it stunk. Washed it - washed it again - and again.

This was Fall time so draped it over porch chair to 'air on screen porch'. Zero temps and all - Spring it still had that terrible smell. Threw it in the trash. Out $70.00

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

piperbay — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:47:07 GMT

I can't even walk into an Old Navy store because that formaldehyde smell is so strong.

I have tried steaming clothes after I have washed them to get the smells out of clothes.

I have also tried adding a few drops of tea tree oil and even oil of oregano to the wash to get smells out.

If I buy jeans from a discount store, like Ross, I smell them first to see how strong that "made in China" scent is, even at the risk of looking silly.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

cherry — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 00:53:49 GMT

Take it to the cleaners. If they can't fix it send it back

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

shoekitty — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 01:15:32 GMT

I sent my goodSiberian down comforter to cleaners. It came back with this nauseating smell. Wecouldn't keep it in same room with us. The odor permeated any room it was in. We took it outside everyday for 2 weeks to air out on line. We dried in dryer fluff. Nothing, smell lingered. Took back to cleaners. We had to tie it in trash bag so smellwouldn't waft out. Guy at cleaners smelled it right away. He said give him 3 weeks. I came back 3 weeks and he was prepared to buy it from me. He said he called chemical company that they used. He tried every method to remove odor they had on a check list. They came to conclusion the chemical was indelibly etched into fabric. A chemical reaction. Cleaners had to pay me 390 for comforter.

this was a cleaners from old school I had been going to for 22 years. I returned a few times after, but noticed it was hit or miss with that odor. In that case it was removed by airing. Cleaners told me because of new laws and standards with using toxic chemicals in cleaning, they were replaced by chemicals that didnt work as well, or had masking scents to cover scents cleaners leave

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

willomenia — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 01:21:29 GMT

Maybe putting baking soda on it, leave for a week, and brush off. I wash with baking soda in washing machine for real stinky clothes, and it works. Since you can't wash, id just skrinkle some on, heavy sprinke everywhere, might be worth a try

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 01:36:46 GMT

I'm going to order charcoal from Amazon.

I can buy it by little bags. I don't want to dry clean it first because I worry that it will cause it to "SIT" in the clothes.

The charcoal should absorb the smell.

Stay tuned.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

Tangocash — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 01:57:47 GMT

This advice came straight from Joan Rivers. She spoke of cleaning stage costumes that cannot go to the cleaners, over and over... Pour some vodka into a spray bottle, and spray. That's it! I've done it. Some things may need a little more than a light spray. Just let them air out before putting away. I have a small spray bottle filled at all times in my bathroom.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

ROMARY — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 02:23:26 GMT

What's been working for me, for years, is to wrap the garment in news print (newspaper). As long as it isn't bombarded with fragrance sample fragrances.

Anyway, you can hang the jacket, and wrap all around it with newspaper (the print pages). Not the photos. Keep wrapping all around, tape the pages together.

Or, simply place the jacket in the newsprint, similar to wrapping a present. Tape all together.

Wait a week or more.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

Abrowneyegirl — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 03:02:41 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
I'm going to order charcoal from Amazon.

I can buy it by little bags. I don't want to dry clean it first because I worry that it will cause it to "SIT" in the clothes.

The charcoal should absorb the smell.

Stay tuned.

Yes, activated charcoal should work. I use it all the time all over the house to remove stale smells and odors. I put in the bottom of garbage cans as well.

To solve your problem you will need to outgas the fabric. Meaning put the garment in a tightly closed box. A box meant to store clothes or dresses work great. Put your jacket in the box with the activated charcoal and seal it up for a few days. If you can put the box in a warm area the better/faster it will work.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

ann1989 — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 06:52:16 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 qvc sold those charcoal bags many years ago and I ordered a set and they did not work at all in eliminating odors. Maybe a different vendor or manufacturer made an improvement. Let us know please.

I stopped buying clothing from qvc awhile ago due to the overwhelming smell whether it was Isaac's or denim and co or Linea. Also, I've thown out stuff that I waited too long to return. Really no telling if these things are cancer causing due to cancer taking so long to grow and become obvious. Wonder how Ca is dealing with all these smelly fabrics and garments that scientists say are carcinogenic. Internet says constant exposure causes ALS - Lou Gehrig disease.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

goldensrbest — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 11:11:22 GMT

Buy some odo ban in spray bottle,home depot sells it ,hang coat outside, spray it with odoban, leave it outside.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

goldensrbest — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 11:13:20 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 wrote:
I'm going to order charcoal from Amazon.

I can buy it by little bags. I don't want to dry clean it first because I worry that it will cause it to "SIT" in the clothes.

The charcoal should absorb the smell.

Stay tuned.

Those do not work well.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

CalminHeart — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 11:16:04 GMT

Try a detergent specifically made to eliminate odors. If the odor is really bad, I add a little white vinegar to the wash - a little less than 1/4 cup for an XL load. You may need an extra rinse. I do this with my workout clothes and dog blankets and it really helps.

Anyone who has bought a Vanity Fair bra probably notices a stink too. I usually have to wash a new one twice, the first one with vinegar, to get rid of the smell.

I hate to think what chemicals they use that cause such horrible smells. It's hard to think they're safe.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

lovesrecess — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 00:42:41 GMT

Dry cleaners use toxic chemicals. I always hang dh’s clothes outside on the patio after coming from the dry cleaner. The chemicals are carcinogenic. I worked in a fabric store similar to Joann’s when I was in college. I became sick shortly after starting there. Trouble breathing, etc. found out the “sizing” on the fabrics is a “sealant” many manufacturers put on their fabrics to stiffen it and make it feel more substantial. You can buy spray sizing and some use it instead of starch. I can’t be around the sizing at all. Any garment that needs newspapers charcoal, or anything else to detoxify it is a garment I don’t want.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

lovesrecess — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 00:44:43 GMT

You are right. So many things that are sold are dangerous, but big money keeps them on the market.

Re: Getting Rid of Smell in Clothes!

happycat — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 00:56:34 GMT

Ugh. I'd hate that. I'd either send it back or take it to a dry cleaners and see if they could get the smell out of it.