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Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: HELP! Shawl has horrible smell

The shawl is enclosed in a plastic bag, and subjected to heat. Fumes build up. Remember odors almost likely has plastic sequins, and the plastic is off gassing. When they import all this clothing, they are sprayed and treated by law for pests. Perfume and sprays will NOT rid the odor.

There are 3 ways to TRY to rid smell.

1) air dry for days

2) wash, or hand launder if at all possible

3) cleaners have a way of deodorizing fabrics, but not all. You could ask. it takes 1 to 3 weeks for them to do this.

4) do not spray with perfume anymore. it will only add to smell. The odor has to off gas first

I have had this happen. One time the odor was like rank, mold. With old newspapers thrown in for extra measure. Another time it faintly reeked like make cat "spray". Seriously. Cat pee!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,258
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: HELP! Shawl has horrible smell

One time I sent my silky, ruched, intricately quilted guest bedspread to cleaners. I assumed it was dry clean. It had the worst odor when it returned. This has happened once before. The odor was so bad, after weeks of air drying to no avail, I looked at tag. Tag said "wash, gentle cycle, cold water. Do Not dry clean!". So luckily I was able to wash it, and all was well. It turned out wonderful. I never in my life would have guessed a fabric like that could be laundered! I think the fabric interacted with chemicals from cleaners! I didn't even have to iron it.

Maybe, just maybe, your shawl says you can hand launder? If so I would do so.

Super Contributor
Posts: 407
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: HELP! Shawl has horrible smell

UPDATE: (won't all of you sweet people be glad when this shawl drama is over - LOL) It says on the tag DO NOT DRY CLEAN, DO NOT MACHINE OR HAND WASH. So yesterday I thought to myself.....why not wash it?!?! At this point I have nothing to lose. So I put it in the washing machine, let it fill up with water, let it agitate on the delicate cycle for a few minutes, then let it sit in the soapy water for about two hours. I took it out, rinsed it in cold water and let it air dry. So far the chemical smell is gone. It just smells like my laundry detergent and I can live with that. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.