For some reason I ironed a dryer sheet (???) It completely stained my ironing board cover. Had to throw it out!

Dryer sheets can put oily stains on items in the dryer, so I'm sure the same could happen in a bag. I would put in a 'used' one if any at all. Maybe a bag of sachet? :?

Believe me smoke travels through the house. You don't smell it because you smoke. Non smokers know the second you open the door. Sometimes I have to close my windows when my neighbors stop to talk on the sidewalk. It comes in the house. I used to smoke and it never bothered me then.

My daughter bought me some fabric at a garage sale then kept it in her car where her husband smokes. I had to wash it before I could handle it.

My two cents worth:

I have only used "Used Dryer Sheets" on my iron. It has never stained my ironing board cover and very nicely removes sticky stuff from my iron. I can see how a new, unused dryer sheet could make a mess.

We only use "unscented" dryer sheets so no unwanted smells.

As for cigarette smoke, DH and I can not ride in our sons car. He does not smoke, and does not allow his friends to smoke in his car, but they ride in his car and the smell transfers from their clothes to the car. Same way if one on them walks through our house. The smell lingers for hours even though they did not smoke inside. When his car broke down, he borrowed DH's truck and tried to cover up the smell with fabreeze! We told him next time to not use fabreeze and to drive with the windows open even if it is freezing outside. DH said the smell of fabreeze mixed with smoke was enough to make him gag and he used to smoke! He quit before I met him.

I grew up with smokers. I was used to the smell as a kid, but now, the older I get, the harder it is for me to be around it.

My step mother made us a beautiful, king size scrappy quilt. Both she and my father smoked. I took the quilt to the cleaners and they were unsuccessful in taking the smell out. I wound up putting two damp towels and several dryer sheets in with the quilt and ran it for a couple of hours on cool. Took the smell out.

Sorry, that was way more than two cents worth! LOL

You could always cut them into smaller pieces and stick one in. Or place it inbetween two pieces of fabric and sew it together like a little sachet. that way it won't get residue on your fabric but it will help with the smell.

dont you mean that the military HAS banned them. I know too, DH just retire from Army. Those new ACU uniforms are a mess to wash and get clean. I dont use dryer sheets on anything, the smell drives me nuts. dont seal up the zip locks, cotton does need to breath. I use them, but dont seal up all the way. If any tiny bit of moistuer gets in there, mold and mildew time.

My quilting friends say never store a quilt in a plastic bag. Finished or in progress. A pillow case works well. I do use the plastic bins from JoAnns also.
Put the dryer sheet in the mailbox instead, keeps the spiders and critters out.

Dryer sheets made my DD have rashes, so I haven't had them around for years - I'll have to try it on places where I don't want the critters to be. The Irish Spring made me giggle - I use it to keep the bunnies from eating my bulbs.

OK, I'm convinced. I'll take my quilts out of plastic. I don't use dryer sheets, but I do put a cedar ball in a double layer of tissue paper and put it in with my quilts etc. My SIL is allergic to fabreze so I can't use it. I'm allergic to just about everything scented (except cedar) so I am very careful. I think I'll try good ole Ivory soap; I used to shower with it so I guess it will keep quilts smelling fresh without setting the allergies off.

And as a former smoker I can vouch that smoke gets into everything, even the most remote corners of your house.

zip lock bags could retain/cause moisture. This is not a scientific opinion. I only use them for short term projects, projects that are not at the UFO stage.
Also agree with above about the chemicals. I might put some in a zip lock bag, punch a few holes in the top side and lay it on the fabric if odor is the concern.

a note about the comment above. Do you mean "The military has banned.......etc

good advice. Thanks everyone. brenda

I love this board!! Leaves me smiling :-D

I second that...a new one would leave residue, I'm afraid.

Agree - don't store in zip lock bags. A lot of people use pizza boxes (not used!) or other boxes. Cotton needs to breathe.

I haven't read all the posts yet, but the principle ingredient in fabric softener is WAX. Not a good thing to let get onto quilts.

Curious, on TV they use to show green plastic bags for vegs and fruits. I've heard these have little holes we do not see. Would they work for fabric? I use some small plastic containers but air is able to get in, Will the plastic containiers them selves hurt materials.? Thanks

i would use a used one i agree with the oils in a new one after sitting on the fabic it might stain the quilt

I use plastic bags for delivering FQs and scraps to my sister. She doesnt keep them in the bags as she uses up what she gets. I also keep leftover fabric/patterns/templates from each project filed in photo boxes. I stock up on new pillowcases (used pillow cases also have a good or bad smell to them)on clearance when I can get them-then store quilts, etc. in them. When I deliver a project, I take the item out of the pillow cases, and wrap it in tissue paper, then place it in large gift bags from the dollar store. The item doesnt stay in the gift bag for long once it gets to its destination. Many times I get the bags returned for the next item they order-only if it comes from a smoke-free home.(allergies here)

Did you mean to say "the military HAS banned the use of dryer sheets because the heat sensors will pick up on them" if they are used in the laundry of uniforms, et c.?

Did you mean to say "the military HAS banned the use of dryer sheets because the heat sensors will pick up on them" if they are used in the laundry of uniforms, et c.?

This might actually work better. The fragrance in dryer sheets gives me an instant headache ( I buy the non-scented ones - better but still not great).

and even though I'm a non-smoker I like the smell of some cigars (but wouldnt' want it in my fabrics or clothing!!!)

How about just making up some project "bags" out of your scraps? Because you're the only one who will see them, you could get rid of a lot of uglies that way. If you want to put a drawstring or something on them, go for it. For me (I'm lazy), I'd simply make it a bit long and fold it over and safety pin the top down.

As to dryer sheets, bars of soap, etc., you could place those between the project bags so they never come into direct contact with the project fabric itself, but still have the advantage of the fragrance.

There's nothing quite so convenient as a zip lock, however, so when I do use them, I fold it up from the bottom two or three times and put that into my three-hole binder punch. When you open the bag back up, it now has lots of ventilation holes, but still keeps everything together and visible.

Hope some of this helps.

Used dryer sheets would be the way to go. I know, if you use dryer sheets, you're suppose to scrub the wire vent with soap and water every few months to clean the residue from the vent.

[quote=neeng]This might actually work better. The fragrance in dryer sheets gives me an instant headache ( I buy the non-scented ones - better but still not great).

I don't use dryer sheets at all. I use fabric softener in my last rinse (have a dispenser) and found I don't need the dryer sheets.

Me too- if I want to get a smell out of fabric- I wash it- no point layering something else on top of it!

I have a friend who smokes only out side, the oder from the cigs. stil gets into the house and anything that is made of fabric. I never say anything to her just deal with it. No need to step on feelings.

Nothing wrong with a good cigar! I smoke one every now and then......outside, never in the house.

Nope,.....but the dryer sheet smell will eventually fade away.

Eeeekk....I have been stuffing used dryer sheets in my fabric stash at random to keep odors out. Some that is donated to our group smells funny even after washing. I sure hope I haven't been damaging the fabric. Guess I had better go check it all.

Would never use a "new" sheet as it does have an oil that will leave spots on your fabric........I store lots of my fabric (on my WIP projects, not general stash) and really have had no need to add a "fragrence".....However if you save used sheets (those that have gone thru dryer a couple of times) believe you would be OK as the oils containing the fragrence would be gone - but then you wuld not have the strong smell from the sheets either.

I always put a couple pin holes in plastic when I use it to store fabric.

No "eeeeewwww" from me.

We each have our own vices or what someone might consider one.

A good cigar is a nice as a good pipe tobacco...and I'm sure you don't fill the house with the garlic or cigar smoke.

But, back to the dryer sheets....I'd start with a used one also, or maybe spray a used sheet with oust or fabreeze. Oust sure works on some very stron biological odors.

Wash your dryer filter screen after EVERY load...waiting a couple months isn't wise.

Another option from someone who is so allergic to things that I can't use any type household cleaner and can usually only wear 100% cotton. I can't use any type product that out-gases and believe me that is a looonnnng list. Just ask my allergist!!

Take a pair of panty house (does anyone still have any of those? LOL). Cut about a 3 inch piece across. Tie one end. Put in about 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Tie the other end. Voila!! Takes away smells but doesn't leave any!! I change out about every 3 months. I keep these in all my clothes drawers, closets, and any plastic containers I use. I even put them under the sinks to keep away that musty smell.

The good thing about using soap is that if you do store stuff with unwrapped soap, the soap will last longer when you eventually use it. My former MIL told me to store unwrapped soap in the linen cupboard...still do it and smells so nice when you open the door.

The good thing about using soap is that if you do store stuff with unwrapped soap, the soap will last longer when you eventually use it. My former MIL told me to store unwrapped soap in the linen cupboard...still do it and smells so nice when you open the door.

Love it!

I think if you smoke in a house, it will go everywhere unless protected.

What a super idea! I love this place.

I'm confused - I bought totes to store our material in (rubbermaid ones with the hinged lids) This is bad for the material? I was working on building a stash.

My aunt who quilted always used dryer sheets and cut them a little smaller then her applique pieces and stitched around them and then folded them right sides out through the little opening she left. I thought it was a great idea. Loved her quilts. The dryer sheets were used ones. She did not believe in waste.