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washing spools of thread?
Maychi Intermediate SLOVENIA Member since 9/4/04 Posts: 348	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/31/12 5:11 AM Hi everyone. I inherited a few spools of sewing thread from my grandma. Some of them are brand new, but the problem is they stink. They smell really old and dusty with a hint of cigarette stench. I have been airing them out for a week, but they still smell quite bad. Is it possible to wash the whole spool in the washing machine? I'm worried about what will happen to the cardboard cones though. Is there any other way to get the stench out? Or should I just throw them out? Thank you in advance... ------ Maja "Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)
KathySews   Advanced Beginner MI USA Member since 10/1/06 Posts: 2896	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/31/12 8:05 AM I am not sure about washing them because I am not sure how they would dry. There are discussions here about getting odor out of fabric. Here is one I remember -- put in a bag with crumpled newspaper or charcoal. If I find the discussion, I will link it hopefully others will provide tips
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6998	Login to reply to this post In reply to Maychi << 3 members like this. Date: 10/31/12 9:11 AM Hello Maychi. Nice to see a new country here on PR, and Slovenia is close to my heart. I wouldn't wash them because of the difficulty of trying to dry them, having the thread come off the spools, etc. What I can suggest is that you place them in a zippered plastic bag with about 2 tablespoons (large spoons) of baking soda. Seal the bag and leave the spools in there for about a week before you remove them. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
lgrande   Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 1/18/12 Posts: 1041	Login to reply to this post In reply to Maychi << 1 member likes this. Date: 10/31/12 9:44 AM I had a big freezer that failed on me once and the ONLY way I finally got rid of the truly awful smell inside (after I'd cleaned it out very thoroghtly) was to move it outside into the sun and fresh air. You could try that with your threads although if they are cotton I'd not leave them outside more than a few hours. It's worth a try. ------ Linda Bernina 830LE Bernina B530 Janome 6600P Pfaff 1209 Babylock Evolution Janome 644D
CSM--Carla   Intermediate FL USA Member since 1/21/06 Posts: 1058	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 10/31/12 10:11 AM Fresh ground coffee is a wonderful odor absorber. Failing all the above suggestions, try placing your thread in a plastic bag with a container of dry ground coffee in the bottom and seal it shut with tape. Allow to remain undisturbed for a week or so. After opening, any lingering odor of ground coffee will quickly fade away.
Re Becca   Intermediate TX USA Member since 9/12/05 Posts: 2134	Login to reply to this post In reply to CSM--Carla << 2 members like this. Date: 10/31/12 11:32 AM The coffee sounds wonderful. would this make them smell like coffee? If it does, I might try that with my office computer. right now it smells like accountant which isn't very motivational... ever... ------ http://beccabeckstuff.blogspot.com/ Damn the muslin, full speed ahead!
sewsally   Intermediate WA USA Member since 8/18/02 Posts: 1200	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 10/31/12 11:36 AM They may not be worth saving. See if the thread breaks too easily.
Rainer   Advanced Beginner NY USA Member since 10/5/10 Posts: 309	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 10/31/12 11:38 AM When the garment is finished.... washing the garment will take care of the smell
AdaH   Intermediate IA USA Member since 11/21/09 Posts: 2137	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/31/12 11:48 AM Using really old thread can be tricky. I have had mixed results. Sometimes the thread worked out OK, but most often it would break. Unwind some of the thread then pull and see how much effort it takes before the thread breaks. Take a new spool of thread and do the same thing. This will give you an idea of what kind of strength a good thread should have. If you old thread does not have the same amount of strength then I would not use it. ------ Ada
Maychi Intermediate SLOVENIA Member since 9/4/04 Posts: 348	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 10/31/12 12:50 PM Thank you all for your suggestions. I checked them for the strength and tossed a few spools immediately. There are a few that are still strong and worth saving IMO. I'll try the baking soda and coffee advice and see what happens. ------ Maja "Only creativity brings us close to paradise." (Hundertwasser)

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