Musty smell...
03-25-2010, 12:43 PM
#23
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fayetteville, GA
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So, let me see if I am understanding right, you use the vinagar and baking soda in the wash at the same time? I use vinagar in the rinse when I use bleach. I have some musty smelling fabric I need to do something with.
03-25-2010, 01:44 PM
#24
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 31
I am a Project Linus coordinator and we were told by a Dr. that we should not use fabric that smells musty or moldy even if we wash it. Washing will not remove all the mold spores so anyone that is going to be affected by molds ( allergies, asthma, copd) should not be using a quilt made with this fabric.
03-25-2010, 05:37 PM
#26
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Location: A million dollar view!
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I would use my detergent (non perfume), color safe bleach, and some Oxyclean. I use this combo all the time and have never had a problem with smells lingering or from colors running.
Also, maybe leave the fabric in an airtight container (providing no moisture whatsoever) and put a 1/2 cup of either ground coffee or some charcoal (none of that ready to light stuff, lol wouldn't that be a mess).
I am fortunate to have a Sanitize cycle on my washer. I would also use that as it would kill anything that is in the fabric. The temp gets to 180*. Of course it may shrink it some too, but six of one half-a-dozen of the other.
Also, maybe leave the fabric in an airtight container (providing no moisture whatsoever) and put a 1/2 cup of either ground coffee or some charcoal (none of that ready to light stuff, lol wouldn't that be a mess).
I am fortunate to have a Sanitize cycle on my washer. I would also use that as it would kill anything that is in the fabric. The temp gets to 180*. Of course it may shrink it some too, but six of one half-a-dozen of the other.
03-25-2010, 05:58 PM
#27
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 607
Originally Posted by grammynan
I was given several boxes of fabric that was obviously stored in a basement. All of it has that musty-basement smell.
Do you think just airing it out will get rid of the smell? Or should I begin the long process of washing it all? Should I use anything special in the washing cycle? Should I use cold or warm water?
Any other suggestions and ideas would be appreciated!
Nancy
Do you think just airing it out will get rid of the smell? Or should I begin the long process of washing it all? Should I use anything special in the washing cycle? Should I use cold or warm water?
Any other suggestions and ideas would be appreciated!
Nancy
03-25-2010, 07:49 PM
#28
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: currently central new jersey
Posts: 8,623
if it was stored in a basement, you want to wash it anyway. it's probably full of dust and mites. just be sure and use a washer bag for the smaller pieces and serge or zigzag the edges on the larger ones.
i always found the soda/vinegar treatment to work on all kinds of smelly things, so that's where i would start. if that didn't work i would separate out the whites and (gasp) bleach those. for the colors i would use borax or ammonia with my detergent. at that point you have nothing at all to lose anymore. you can test for colorfastness and use bleach on anything else that's colorfast. i'll be more than you think. whatever still smells, get rid of it before it smells up everything else.
i always found the soda/vinegar treatment to work on all kinds of smelly things, so that's where i would start. if that didn't work i would separate out the whites and (gasp) bleach those. for the colors i would use borax or ammonia with my detergent. at that point you have nothing at all to lose anymore. you can test for colorfastness and use bleach on anything else that's colorfast. i'll be more than you think. whatever still smells, get rid of it before it smells up everything else.
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