Nancy Ingham

I recently purchased some terribly musty fabric from an estate sale. The fabric was in the basement and smelled so bad that I considered not purchasing it. The woman that was running the estate sale told me to spread the fabric out (single thickness) on the lawn in the morning while there is still dew, and let it stay out all day. The sun will draw the dew up through the fabric and remove the odor. I was leery but tried it yesterday when we were expecting a beautiful sunny day. I just could not believe it…..initially the fabric reeked so bad that I had to tie the double plastic bags close to travel with it in my car….after following these directions I could put my nose into the fabric and smell nothing but delightful clean fresh air. My DH and I were totally amazed! Has anyone else tried this?

misseva

never heard of it but boy wouldn't that be a lot better than having to wash it? thanks

Patchworkmarion

Thank you.I'm going to try it.

Quiltbeagle

I've hung fabric outside to remove odors, but never heard of putting it on dew. I can't do that because the horses would probably stomp all over it but it's good to know.

NIICHMOM

Yes, I have used our sun to remove smell many times, it also works on other items...paper, cloth and wood. When I had my daughter somes back when we still used cloth diapers, it was wise to hang diapers out side as the sun would kill the germs and help keep them white. So use our natural resource.

Yosamitesa

Thank you for the information. Will definately keep in mind!!!

Sewhappytoquilt

What an interesting idea. I will try it next time, but I think I would still want to wash the fabric (bed bugs and other possible lurking creatures). Thanks for the tip.

Poakie

No, but that is some very good information. Lots of time I will pass on fabric that smells bad, but now I'll take a chance and try doing this.

QandE2010

Same here. I know that when I hang clothes out, you can smell the good smell all around the area. But I would still wash the fabric.

BarbaraSue

How did you know that I needed this information right now? My DH went to an auction house and bought a huge box with fabrics and a quilt ready to be bound. Only one piece has some mildew/mold on it and it isn't a big piece of the fabric. I had heard of putting it outside on the line, but not in the dew. Thanks