KayT

I use a cup vinegar in the rinse or put it in the wash too. I had a son who worked at a restaurant and his clothing was horrible. Vinegar did the trick!

quiltinghere

It would definitely be washed until the smell was not detectable...drought or no drought...even if it meant washing outside in big totes...WITH VINEGAR too. No one said you had to wash ALL the fabrics in one day - sort them by lights and darks - leave in bags until you have the chance to wash a load until the smell is gone. It may take you the rest of the year but at least the fabrics will be ready to use.

I personally don't think any spray will get rid of the smell. It has to be washed out and luckily it's fabric and it can be washed.

Best of luck

Pickles

I got a good suggestion put it all back into the contraners it was given in and run a ad in the papper to give it all away to a smoker that Quilts. I smoke and I know that if I should pass on that I would want my DH to make sure my Stash and Notions
will go to a Quilter that want mind the smell and just love my stash as much as I did and be greatful for getting it all. There is
still a bunch of smoking quilters out there that would love to own that poor womens stash, wish you luck with it :-D

Twisted Quilter

Non-smokers may complain about the smell, but after washing we're doing the happy dance. :thumbup:

susie-susie-susie

I used to smoke and my stash smelled bad. Last year I washed the whole thing. Took me about a week. Got the smell out, but my electric bill was about $10.00 more than usual (electric dryer). It sounds like a good idea to only wash the fabric as you use it. That way it's not such a burden. The plastic totes will contain the odor. It's a lot of work to wash such a large amoount of fabric all at once. The laundromat would be a good idea as you could do so many loads all at once.
Sue

Scissor Queen

It really does work. I bought two bolts of a fusible interfacing at an auction that smelled really bad of smoke. I put a couple of bars of Safeguard in a trash bag and put those two bolts of fusible in with it for a month or so and the smoke smell went away.

oma66

White Vinegar worked well for me.

Grambi

Or maybe the cow! :-D

amma

New dryer sheets and dry fabric may not be a good idea. There is oil in the sheets, it can stain the fabric and it is really hard to get back out :wink: :D:D:D

Grambi

Pickles, I honestly didn't mean to offend smokers! I smoked for 23 years, but quit 15 years ago yesterday. I really try not to be one of "those" ex-smokers. I am so grateful to have been given the fabric and feel that I was being trusted to put it to good use and to make sure that what I couldn't use would go for a good cause. I was very honored to be given such a gift!

Thanks everyone for some great tips. I am going to try some of the suggestions on the fabric while it is being stored. I also feel that it should be washed eventually and I did a test tonight on one piece that is perfect for backing a quilt I just finished. I washed it with a large load of cold water clothes and added a bunch of white vinegar to both the softener and the bleach holders. I have it hanging inside to dry because I don't want to pre-shrink it. The odor seems to have come out completely. I used liquid Tide and Clorox Color Booster and Stain Remover.

Thanks to all of you for some great ideas to try.