topic Re: Formaldehyde smell in Suggestion Box

Formaldehyde smell

dotsam — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:29:46 GMT

Does anyone know how to eliminate the toxic smell of formaldehyde in fabric? I just received a beautiful quilt by Kim Gravel (made in China). It smells terrible although it is beautiful. I really want to keep it and need to know if anyone else dealt with this issue.

I understand it is used to eliminate wrinkles according to Google.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

SilleeMee — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:43:35 GMT

Hang it outside on a clothesline you have one. Hang it out in a well-ventilated area for a day or two. Do not put it in a hot dryer b/c that will only 'set in' the formaldehyde even longer. Just launder and hang dry.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

Shelbelle — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:51:02 GMT

I would agree, wash in cold water with a good smelling detergent, then hang outside to dry, a good sunny day with a breeze is good. You may have to hang it outside after it dries for a few days too, always a clear day with a breeze is best

Re: Formaldehyde smell

Estellee — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:06:21 GMT

I wish I knew, I purchased a top from Macy's once and could never get the smell out no matter what I tried. @Shelbelle

Re: Formaldehyde smell

loriqvc — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:26:09 GMT

@dotsam - I am extremely sensitive to chemical and perfume odors, and there have been times when I have ended up returning items because the odors simply would not dissipate, so I feel your pain!

If you are confident that you will keep the quilt and are comfortable washing it, do so using the hottest temperature possible (check the care label) and add one cup of plain white vinegar during the rinse cycle—and don't use any fabric softeners, as they can help odors set into the fabric.

If you want to try to confirm that the odor can be eliminated before deciding to keep the quilt, follow the advice given above and hang it outside in the sunlight for a whole day (bring it in at night; sunlight and UV light are what you need to neutralize the odor). You could also try lightly spraying it with Febreze or a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water, which will start neutralizing the odor but not linger. There are also specific products on the market that can be used to treat these odors, but I haven't tried any of them since there's a chance they will also have unwelcome odors.

I hope you can find a way to eliminate the odor and keep your quilt! Good luck...

Re: Formaldehyde smell

UpNorthGorgy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:38:17 GMT

I used to avoid Black denim as could never get rid of a strong smell. Dye,chemicals? I had a Black DG jacket and jeans that had to be discarded. It was 10 years ago now.

I hope you find a solution as so disppointing!

Re: Formaldehyde smell

jackthebear — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:00:53 GMT

@loriqvc wrote:
@dotsam - I am extremely sensitive to chemical and perfume odors, and there have been times when I have ended up returning items because the odors simply would not dissipate, so I feel your pain!

If you are confident that you will keep the quilt and are comfortable washing it, do so using the hottest temperature possible (check the care label) and add one cup of plain white vinegar during the rinse cycle—and don't use any fabric softeners, as they can help odors set into the fabric.

If you want to try to confirm that the odor can be eliminated before deciding to keep the quilt, follow the advice given above and hang it outside in the sunlight for a whole day (bring it in at night; sunlight and UV light are what you need to neutralize the odor). You could also try lightly spraying it with Febreze or a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water, which will start neutralizing the odor but not linger. There are also specific products on the market that can be used to treat these odors, but I haven't tried any of them since there's a chance they will also have unwelcome odors.

I hope you can find a way to eliminate the odor and keep your quilt! Good luck...

don't use Febreeze once that smell gets in the fabric impossible to remove

Re: Formaldehyde smell

Bhvbum — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:18:10 GMT

Have you called customer service? If I received something from Kim Gravel that smelled so bad I couldn't use it, I would call customer service for a replacement. They need to know so they can pass that information to Gravel's operation.

I have bought many things from Kim Gravel's collections and also from QVC in general, I have never received anything that smelled so badly of chemicals I couldn't use it. If it is as bad as you say they need to know.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

Kachina624 — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:14:11 GMT

It may be the odor that is often in clothing shipped in container that are sprayed with insecticide. I've used Don Aslett's X-O (Amazon) to get the odor out. There's a new deodorant laundry product called "Poopff" that I'll try next time. I spray lightly, let it dry, then spray again. When it dries, I launder it with detergent. Not a hint of odor.

I've found air out and just washing doesn't do a darn thing.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

loriqvc — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 03:53:27 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
@loriqvc wrote:
@dotsam - I am extremely sensitive to chemical and perfume odors, and there have been times when I have ended up returning items because the odors simply would not dissipate, so I feel your pain!

If you are confident that you will keep the quilt and are comfortable washing it, do so using the hottest temperature possible (check the care label) and add one cup of plain white vinegar during the rinse cycle—and don't use any fabric softeners, as they can help odors set into the fabric.

If you want to try to confirm that the odor can be eliminated before deciding to keep the quilt, follow the advice given above and hang it outside in the sunlight for a whole day (bring it in at night; sunlight and UV light are what you need to neutralize the odor). You could also try lightly spraying it with Febreze or a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water, which will start neutralizing the odor but not linger. There are also specific products on the market that can be used to treat these odors, but I haven't tried any of them since there's a chance they will also have unwelcome odors.

I hope you can find a way to eliminate the odor and keep your quilt! Good luck...
don't use Febreeze once that smell gets in the fabric impossible to remove

@jackthebear - I have not found that to be the case when using Febreze; it may not completely eliminate an odor, but once the spray dries, its odor lessens considerably, and I have never smelled it after washing fabric it was used on.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

CalminHeart — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:03:56 GMT

Options.

There are products specific for odors you can add to your detergent. I like the Lysol one best.

There are detergents that specificially say they remove odors.

Add a little vinegar to the detergent.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

goldensrbest — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:16:35 GMT

I would try a detergent that has enzymes in it ,there are several ,i use one for dog smells in bedding,hang to dry outside,

Re: Formaldehyde smell

Judaline — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 11:44:03 GMT

Pardon my ignorance, but how did formaldehyde get into the fabric in the first place?

Re: Formaldehyde smell

Teddixat — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:10:53 GMT

@dotsam Soak it in distilled vinegar then wash it.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

ROMARY — Sat, 09 May 2026 20:02:51 GMT

Years and years ago, I purchased denim pants that smelled like gasoline.

Then I thought, wondered, and asked myself: 'Are they flammable'?

Anyway, as cr*zy as this sounds, if airing out doesn't work:

Wrap the item in newsprint newspaper.

Store in a clean, white kitchen trash bag (unscented), for a week or two. Keep checking each week or so.

Doing this works (for me) for eliminating clothing that was stored in moth balls or strong dryer sheets. Given to me as gifts, re-gifted, etc.

Important: Make sure that you mark the bag, stating '"Do NOT throw out'. Clothing (or whatever) inside this bag."

Re: Formaldehyde smell

SactoSue — Sat, 09 May 2026 20:27:29 GMT

Ive bought a couple of As Is items that just reeked of dryer sheets. I'm assuming they were used to cover up some more unpleasatn smell, like BO.

Thanks for this idea.

Especially about the part of making sure to label Do Not Throw Out !

Re: Formaldehyde smell

DesertD — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:23:09 GMT

They used to use formaldehyde in Mascara! Several years ago I had a bad reaction to a new mascara I tried. When I started reading the ingredients I found formaldehyde on the list. Vinegar would be my choice to get rid of that smell. Good Luck! ✌.|•͡˘‿•͡˘|.✌

Re: Formaldehyde smell

ROMARY — Sat, 16 May 2026 02:11:12 GMT

Years ago (as usual), I bought a white dresser for a spare room.

Well, the drawers had a strong formaldehyde odor.

Needless to say, they still have that odor, after airing them out for days/weeks.

So, instead of storing clothing in the drawers, I use them for paper work, and office supplies.

Items have been placed in large, clear food storage bags so the odor doesn't penetrate through the paper work and other items.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

elated — Sat, 16 May 2026 04:38:12 GMT

Formaldehyde can be effectively reduced or removed from clothing through soaking,

washing and airing techniques using baking soda, vinegar, or other safe agents. Fill a bucket or bathtub or sink with hot water ad 1-2 cups of baking soda,and soak for 8 hours or overnight. Sometimes it may be necessary to soak for 2 days. After soaking, rinse the clothes in cold water and air dry in a well ventilated area.

Re: Formaldehyde smell

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 16 May 2026 10:14:49 GMT

@dotsam ...........That is the chemical put on fabrics from 3rd world countires so the bugs wont be introduced to the US.

If it were me I would launder it first (if it can be) or dry cleaned first. Then I would hang it streched out as much as possible and leave it out 2 or 3 days and nights. That should help.