JenSews2
 
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Date: 4/24/12 10:51 AM
DH went on a very difficult mountain bike ride and part of his reward included a nice looking 100% poly performance type fabric t-shirt. He washed it 3 times and it still stinks awfully. It's a dark brown/black, so it's probably the dye, but is there anything we can do? He worked hard to "earn" his shirt and wants to wear it, but doesn't want to smell like skunk.
Like I said, he washed it 3 times (we use Charlie's soap, which usually removes all smells). I then soaked it overnight in vinegar, then doused it in Charlie's soap all purpose spray, let it soak for another hour, then washed it again. The scent is barely lighter and still pretty skunky.
Any other ideas? ------
*Jen*
If I stitch fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise? |
nicegirl
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Subject: Help! Smelly/Stinky fabric - polyester shirt wont freshen up Date: 4/24/12 11:38 AM I was going to suggest vinegar, so I'm no hope.
You might just try time. Hang it up in the garage or outside with plenty of air circulation. I got a foam pillow (presumably polyester or other petroleum-base synthetic) a while back that also had a very skunky smell. It took a couple of weeks but it finally dissipated. ------
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KathySews
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MI USA
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Subject: Help! Smelly/Stinky fabric - polyester shirt wont freshen up Date: 4/24/12 11:41 AM I agree, first try is to just let it air out for a while. I have also notice that skunky smell on some synthetic pillows. |
fabrictherapy
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Date: 4/24/12 12:03 PM a huge ziplock bag and 2 bars of irish spring...let it sit for 2 weeks. That is how I de-stink tops from a very dear friend I long arm for. Her hubby smokes in the house, her box of fabric has the bonus of a blue fume cloud when opened, and I cannot work with it.
I have some workgear that I also used this method on, and it worked at removing the awful odor. |
Elona
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Date: 4/24/12 12:08 PM This is an amazingly common problem with performance fabrics. The manufacturers are working on it, and some of these fabrics claim to be less smelly than others. For the record, our family has not yet had any problems with Dri-Fit or CoolMax.
Here's a whole google page devoted to that stink and possible ways to get it out. |
diane s
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Subject: Help! Smelly/Stinky fabric - polyester shirt wont freshen up Date: 4/24/12 12:16 PM I've had good luck with this product by Biokleen. It's sold in the 'natural' section at my grocery store.Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since. |
JenSews2
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Subject: Help! Smelly/Stinky fabric - polyester shirt wont freshen up Date: 4/24/12 12:59 PM Thank you for your suggestions. Keep them coming as I'll just keep trying one by one!
Most of everything I've googled just deals with the BO stink. DH hasn't even WORN the shirt yet! This is just fabric stink.
Just FYI... Charlie's soap does GREAT with BO stink, but this fabric just takes the cake. It's now sitting in my front room with the clean laundry and you can smell the shirt 6' away when you walk by!! Ughhh.
I'm going to go try the "hang it in the sunshine to air" method outside for a few days and give our noses a break. We've had the shirt almost 3 weeks trying to air it out (inside the house) and wash it. Hopefully the sunlight will do something to it this time.
My next shot would be soak it in vinegar in a ziplock for a few days. Maybe a baking soda paste. At this point I'm ready to try baking soda AND vinegar at the same time (hee hee), but I think I'd just end up with a mess! ------
*Jen*
If I stitch fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise? |
JenSews2
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CA USA
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Date: 4/24/12 1:01 PM Quote: nicegirl
You might just try time. Hang it up in the garage or outside with plenty of air circulation. I got a foam pillow (presumably polyester or other petroleum-base synthetic) a while back that also had a very skunky smell. It took a couple of weeks but it finally dissipated.
Weeks? This thing is DEFINITELY going outside!!!------
*Jen*
If I stitch fast enough, does it count as aerobic exercise? |
jadamo00
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Date: 4/24/12 1:50 PM Nilodor Tap-A-Drop. Tiny bottle sold in pet stores. It's an odor neutralizer.
Put a single drop on a piece of toilet paper. Place in plastic bag with garment and close. See where it's at in a day.
j. |
BeckyNoSleep
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USA
Member since 4/19/10
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Subject: Help! Smelly/Stinky fabric - polyester shirt wont freshen up Date: 4/24/12 3:53 PM Is the shirt silk-screened or printed in some way? (they usually are with the name of the race, date, etc. ad naseum) I would suspect that over the actual fabric since it seems to be a very persistent, strong smell. Either way, if it's a chemical-ish smell, the only way it will go away is for it to dissipate - hanging it outside is a good idea so that what are essentially fumes aren't inside your house! |
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