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laundry,how to get mildew type stink out of cotton black knit tops worn under coveralls I sweat buckets at work, can't get smell out
JeannieR   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 7/9/09 Posts: 82	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 0:56 AM Help! I sweated like in a sauna all day and all I could smell was me smelling like mildew. I really don't want to wash in hot water. I have long arms and even though these are from Lands end they progressively shrink washed in cold water and hung to dry. I need to keep the length to protect my arms ( neck, torso) from my coveralls rough fabric & seams rubbing my skin and wrist, and sanding and metal dust. ( not to mention grease etc) I've tried washing soda, but it bleached them out. And Clorox will do the same thing, right? Tried vinegar. nada Ammonia, doesn't seem to help I have a pretty old top loading washer ( I have to do a extra rinse, I'm allergic to detergents) wouldn't want a front loader. I clean it out running a cycle with Clorox and no clothes if it smells musty inside. Thanks, Jeannie somehow I can't do a preview, hope this all looks alright, and my spelling isn't too awful.
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5414	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 1:09 AM Jeannie - are you a mechanic or machinist? Sounds like heavy duty work. Try Oxyclean. It seems to be a real cure-all. If it doesn't work, sadly the most effective treatment for mildew is chlorine bleach. The good news is that if you have a top loader, you can dye things in it. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
JeannieR   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 7/9/09 Posts: 82	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 1:34 AM Thanks tourist I'll try the oxyclean. I so hope it works! I have a sensitive nose. And I hate that mildew smell more than anything. Basicly, that's what I am, I'm a skilled trade diemaker for26yrs. ( at 57yrs old and with every painfull arthritus type disease you can imagine, severe nerve damage in legs, feet, and I have to stand all night, and, or climbing on big metal objects, wrasseling around the chains and hooks on the 50 ton crane, it's getting to be a bit much. The draw dies have to be worked by hand, polished to a mirror glow. Seems like it's a job that cripples young men even. Everybody I work with,( men), are living on pain killers and getting different joints replaced every year. We build dies for GM. All the outside sheet metal on the new cars, hoods, fenders, body sides, etc. Dies are cast metal molds that go in the press to stamp out the sheet metal parts. ( shape, trim, punch holes etc) Jeannie
MNBarb   Intermediate MN USA Member since 4/3/10 Posts: 1521	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 7:38 AM You sound like a very capable worker. Wow, what a job! About the smell, I've had this happen when I forget clothes in the washing machine and all of my towels get this odor after about 6 months of use. I haven't found anything to remove the offensive odor. As soon as the fabric is damp the smell returns. My exercise buddy is a profuse sweater and she says she just has to pitch her bras at some point when they reach the smell of no return. Sorry, this isn't a bit helpful, but more of a "I feel your pain" post. I hope the Oxyclean works. I will also give it a try. ------ Barb "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Thomas Edison "I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." Woodrow Wilson
BJ1400 Intermediate WV USA Member since 10/29/03 Posts: 2360	Login to reply to this post In reply to JeannieR Like this post Date: 9/13/11 7:56 AM What about OdoBan? odoban ------ Beverly Janome Coverpro 1000CPX; Brother Serger 1034D; Kenmore 19233; Alden (early 1970's) http://bjsewmuchmore.blogspot.com
Silknmore   Advanced WI USA Member since 9/30/06 Posts: 251	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 8:42 AM After having the same problem as MNBarb, especially with dark laundry, I started putting Oxyclean in the washer. It works well, however in the summer I also soak dishcloths in Oxy before throwing them in the laundry. Annette ------ Silknmore http://fabricateandmira.wordpress.com/
edster Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 2/19/10 Posts: 143	Login to reply to this post In reply to JeannieR Like this post Date: 9/13/11 8:58 AM That is an amazing skill! Have you tried Borax? We dont't have strong smells we need to neutralize in my household but i think it says it can do that on the box. I use it to bpclean just about everything and it works wonders. Good luck! ------ Kenmore 158.14101 Juki MO-735 Juki TL2010Q
Michelle T Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 4176	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 9:00 AM Are you hanging them outside to dry? Sometimes a good fresh breeze will do wonders for smelly fabric. Borax is another option. And lastly could the coveralls be the problem? Does your employer wash them or do you? Maybe they need a really good cleaning to get rid of what ever is causing the smelly shirts? ------ Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student
dresscode   Advanced FL USA Member since 7/28/04 Posts: 2464	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 9:17 AM Sometimes the odor comes from the washing machine itself.
Bobbinnoli Intermediate MD USA Member since 7/13/10 Posts: 73	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/13/11 10:13 AM I've had a lot of luck using Biz for getting odors out. Add it with your regular laundry detergent. I have allergies too so the extra rinse is helpful.

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