topic Clothes That Smell in Fashion

Clothes That Smell

AussieLuvr — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 20:33:09 GMT

There are a lot of reviews written about clothing that has a terrible odor when it arrives, and it won't wash out.

There is a process called "outgassing" or "offgassing" and it is a chemical process that occurs in fabrics due to a few different things; the chemical processes that result from dyes, packaging, shipping containers, etc.

Typically it occurs in clothing that is made and dyed in China and some other Far Eastern countries. It may be the fabric dyes but it sometimes occurs when the clothing is packed in plastic, then boxes, then a shipping container for at least a few months.

It is sometimes impossible to get rid of the odor. I had a REALLY expensive Coach handbag with a satiny, silky liner that stunk like a refinery exhaust smell. The leather didn't smell but if you stuck your nose in the bag it was horrible. For three years I tried leaving it outside, putting lavender soaked cotton balls in it, stuffing it with newspaper, stuffing it with fabric softener sheets, a bar of soap and even charcoal briquettes wrapped in cheesecloth. NOTHING worked and I could not carry that bag. I ended up giving it away to a young woman who was just so grateful to have a Coach bag that she didn't care.

I once ordered a set of 1lb, plastic-covered, handheld weights for exercising my arms and the stench was horrific; I had to return them.

We have a gel foam memory mattress that made my dog cough and gag every time she jumped on the bed; because of outgassing. It didn't bother us but we thought of it as a canary in a coal mine scenario - if it was bothering our dog that much, what effect was/is it having on us? (The dog came and went on the bed at will, and eventually stayed off by choice).

There was a HUGE issue some years ago with sheetrock from China. A lot of contractors used it because it was inexpensive but the outgassing was so horrid that what should have been $300,000 homes were bringing less than $50,000 because of all of the work involved replacing the sheetrock and getting rid of the smell.

QVC doesn't really have any control over it. If their vendors continue to use manufacturers who use materials or shipping methods that create outgassing, the smell will continue. In many cases, the garments don't smell after they come off the production line but with time, packing and shipping - they DO smell when they get to the other end.

If you google "outgassing" you can learn about it.

Re: Clothes That Smell

hsawaknow — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 20:53:17 GMT

Very interesting read. I once bought a pair of DG2 black jeans. The smell was disgusting and I did everything to get rid of it. Washed it over and over, let it dry outside, tried Gain detergent nothing got rid of it and I couldn't wear them so I sent them back.

Thanks for the info on what the smell is. Knowing what the chemicals are makes me wonder about health concerns.

Re: Clothes That Smell

KentuckyWoman — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 20:53:22 GMT

I do notice smelly clothing. I assumed it was the fabric spandex, dyes, and the packaging. Turns out I was right. Thanks for the information!

Re: Clothes That Smell

geezerette — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:08:45 GMT

This is one big reason I tend to stick to certain retailers when it comes to buying clothes. And I’ve noticed it’s often the darker dyed fabrics that are the smelliest. I’m very sensitive to it.

But many things outgas. New carpet, for instance. I can’t stand to stay in a house with new carpeting. I also have problems when I walk through Walmart by the shoe department. Almost makes me sick to my stomach.

Re: Clothes That Smell

WindingRoad — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:09:15 GMT

Yes, @AussieLuvr they built new homes near us years ago that had this problem and the new homeowners had to move out, sue the builder and they lived a nightmare for years. Thanks for all the info.

Re: Clothes That Smell

colliemom4 — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:20:37 GMT

I purchased dd a swimsuit with this smell and we ended up having to return it. I do know what you are talking about.

Re: Clothes That Smell

ILTH — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:30:09 GMT

@hsawaknow wrote:
Very interesting read. I once bought a pair of DG2 black jeans. The smell was disgusting and I did everything to get rid of it. Washed it over and over, let it dry outside, tried Gain detergent nothing got rid of it and I couldn't wear them so I sent them back.
Thanks for the info on what the smell is. Knowing what the chemicals are makes me wonder about health concerns.

Dg2 jeans are the worst offenders I have ever encountered. The dark, medium and bright colors are awful. The whites are usually okay.

Re: Clothes That Smell

Kachina624 — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:52:06 GMT

@AussieLuvr. I know how to get rid of that smell, at least on clothing. I use Don Aslett's X-O Deodorant concentrate, a QVC product, mixed in solution in a spray bottle. I never measure it but use maybe 1/4 concentrate and the rest water. I spray the item thoroughly but lightly on both sides, let it dry, then spray again. The smell will be completely gone.

In the past week, I've used this on 2 pairs of Joan Rivers denim pants and one pair of Denim & Co. pants. The were all dyed denim blue fabric. I've never had the odor on any denim other than blue.

One of the stinkest things I've gotten was a Susan Graver pendant on a leather cord. I couldn't be in the same room as that necklace. I treated it with the Don Aslett solution and now it has no odor whatsoever.

Thanks for your technical explanation of this problem which is never, ever mentioned on QVC but I'm sure is well known by the returns department. I bet the hosts and models are very familiar with it too.

Re: Clothes That Smell

butterfly123 — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:49:47 GMT

@geezerette

I return clothing from online stores frequently due to the smell.

I cannot shop the laundry detergent/cleaning supplies/ paper items aisles in stores due to the overwhelming scents added to products.

May I ask what brands of clothing you purchase that are

acceptable?

Re: Clothes That Smell

AussieLuvr — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:01:26 GMT

@butterfly123

That's a hard question to answer. I've purchased clothing by so many QVC vendors and haven't had this problem a lot. Of all the brands I love the most, I ordered two moss crepe shirts from Louis Del Ollio that I had to send back. I've gotten jeans from Kim Gravel and Susan Graver that had an odor.

But its everywhere. The Coach handbag I had was the worst and I did not buy that from QVC. The weights that were nauseating were from Amazon.

Its really hit or miss. I guess shopping in brick and mortar stores would solve the problem. I have a disability and I don't shop at brick and mortar stores any more, though. I can't get up from low seats and the little benches in the dressing rooms are too low for me. So I either buy and bring home to try on, or order online.

I honestly don't know if there is a way to avoid this by not buying any particular brand; it is that ubiquitous and a matter of chance.

Re: Clothes That Smell

Blingqueen023 — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:01:30 GMT

@ILTH wrote:
@hsawaknow wrote:
Very interesting read. I once bought a pair of DG2 black jeans. The smell was disgusting and I did everything to get rid of it. Washed it over and over, let it dry outside, tried Gain detergent nothing got rid of it and I couldn't wear them so I sent them back.
Thanks for the info on what the smell is. Knowing what the chemicals are makes me wonder about health concerns.

Dg2 jeans are the worst offenders I have ever encountered. The dark, medium and bright colors are awful. The whites are usually okay.

I have over a dozen pairs of Diane’s jeans and never received one that has an odor.

Re: Clothes That Smell

butterfly123 — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:06:16 GMT

@AussieLuvr wrote:
@butterfly123

That's a hard question to answer. I've purchased clothing by so many QVC vendors and haven't had this problem a lot. Of all the brands I love the most, I ordered two moss crepe shirts from Louis Del Ollio that I had to send back. I've gotten jeans from Kim Gravel and Susan Graver that had an odor.

But its everywhere. The Coach handbag I had was the worst and I did not buy that from QVC. The weights that were nauseating were from Amazon.

Its really hit or miss. I guess shopping in brick and mortar stores would solve the problem. I have a disability and I don't shop at brick and mortar stores any more, though. I can't get up from low seats and the little benches in the dressing rooms are too low for me. So I either buy and bring home to try on, or order online.

I honestly don't know if there is a way to avoid this by not buying any particular brand; it is that ubiquitous and a matter of chance.

@AussieLuvr

I try to shop eco friendly, sustainable fashion companies that are certified. Variety is limited though.

Re: Clothes That Smell

Kachina624 — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:13:29 GMT

I purchased a Dooney and Bourke Florentine leather bag from the Dooney website. The leather, not the lining, had a strong fishy smell. I sprayed it several times with the Don Aslett solution and completely got rid of the odor.

Re: Clothes That Smell

goldensrbest — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:14:57 GMT

Yes, the denim and company ,comfy jacket ,i have tried washing ,over and over ,putting it outside for 7 days,and it still smells.

Re: Clothes That Smell

ILTH — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:18:03 GMT

@Blingqueen023 wrote:
@ILTH wrote:
@hsawaknow wrote:
Very interesting read. I once bought a pair of DG2 black jeans. The smell was disgusting and I did everything to get rid of it. Washed it over and over, let it dry outside, tried Gain detergent nothing got rid of it and I couldn't wear them so I sent them back.
Thanks for the info on what the smell is. Knowing what the chemicals are makes me wonder about health concerns.

Dg2 jeans are the worst offenders I have ever encountered. The dark, medium and bright colors are awful. The whites are usually okay.
I have over a dozen pairs of Diane’s jeans and never received one that has an odor.

Either you're lucky or many of us are very unlucky.

That's a common complaint on reviews of all her jeans. I have some jeans that are 3 years old and they still stink. I thought the smell would wear off over time. Nope. I won't wear those out. Only at home when cleaning. I should have thrown them out, I guess. 😁

Smell and inconsistent sizing are the main complaints about her jeans.

Re: Clothes That Smell

Carmie — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:17:08 GMT

I can smell it if I am in Gabe's, Walmart of some other store with a cheap plastic shoe or handbag section. I hate the smell of plastic and vinyl...it gives me an instant headache. New cars too.

I ordered a Tony Little pillow from HSN...that was the worse. I first threw it out of my bed on to the floor, but could still smell it, so I got up and took it to another room. I sent it back the next day.

For some imported clothing items, pesticides are applied before they are shipped by boat to keep rodents away. You should always wash clothing before wearing, if possible.

Re: Clothes That Smell

StylishLady — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:20:06 GMT

My worst experience was a nice looking long dark purple leather coat I ordered. When I opened the packaging, it reeked of what smelled like kerosene. Sent it back and did not try to re-order. Never happened before nor after.

Re: Clothes That Smell

Carmie — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 22:20:29 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
Yes, the denim and company ,comfy jacket ,i have tried washing ,over and over ,putting it outside for 7 days,and it still smells.

Try putting it in a sealed bag or container with charcoal briquettes. After a day or two, the odor should be gone. I use charcoal in coolers, bags, refrigerators, freezers and other places to absorb orders. It works pretty good.

Re: Clothes That Smell

AmericanBulldogMom — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:04:07 GMT

I add a little “Odo-Ban” to the laundry of anything stinky and it takes out any bad smells. Great stuff. So many uses. It’s also fantastic to add to your load of towels. Takes care of that musty smell that can build up.

Re: Clothes That Smell

Azcowgirl — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:11:59 GMT

I can’t stand the chemical smells either nor can I stand to go down the detergent isle or the air freshener isle. Also, DH uses head and shoulders shampoos and they are so strong they turn my stomach. I’m having to share a bathroom with him for a couple months while the master bath is being torn up and repaired due to water damage.

Thankfully he’s agreed to use a different shampoo until he doesn’t have to use my bathroom. 😳