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Do baby clothes made in China have a smell? (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Member since 1/24/07
Posts: 611
Posts: 611
British Columbia Canada
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Posted on: 7/8/09 1:27 PM ET
A friend of mine inherited some new baby clothes that were made in China. She gave them to me as I have a new great grandchild. I have washed them twice, and they still have a kind of musty smell. Could it be because the fabric used has some kind of smell or could it be that the original owners allowed them to become musty? If that is the case, does any one have any suggestions about how to rid the clothes of the smell?
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Elaine
Posted on: 7/8/09 2:09 PM ET
In reply to Elaine Dougan
Elaine..don't want to alarm you but I have been getting reports of the fabrics made in China as having so many chemicals in them they have a smell..this was first reported to me by an Australian friend..maybe it is the fire retardant they are currently using..I do not know that..just a guess..the smell of course could be due to other reasons..why don't you blip over to the Aussie thread and ask their opinions and for any knowledge they might have..my friend tells me she has to wash the fabric she is getting from China several times to get rid of the smells...I wish I could remember more of what she told me as she is ill right now I don't want to email her for additional help..but will ask as soon as I here from her again..good luck..
Posted on: 7/8/09 5:14 PM ET
In reply to poorpigling
You guys are able to find clothes and fabrics that aren't made in China?
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http://theramblingsoftcm.blogspot.com/
Numbers for 2013:
Yards in stash: 606.25
Yards in: 22.75
Yards out: 10.50
Numbers for 2012:
594.00 yards in stash
4 yards in
10.25 yards out
Numbers for 2011:
601.25 yards in stash (I'm sure this number is off by a few yards)
Yards in: 137.50 (Seriously? I'm over 100, and it's only JULY? Ugh!)
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Numbers for 2013:
Yards in stash: 606.25
Yards in: 22.75
Yards out: 10.50
Numbers for 2012:
594.00 yards in stash
4 yards in
10.25 yards out
Numbers for 2011:
601.25 yards in stash (I'm sure this number is off by a few yards)
Yards in: 137.50 (Seriously? I'm over 100, and it's only JULY? Ugh!)
Yards out: 88.75
Member since 1/24/07
Posts: 611
Posts: 611
British Columbia Canada
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Posted on: 7/8/09 5:28 PM ET
It is very difficult to find anything, never mind clothes and fabrics, that are not made in China.
I am beginning to think that my smelly baby clothes have been kept in some smelly place before I got them. I just wish I knew a good way to get rid of the odour. Two washings have not done it.
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I am beginning to think that my smelly baby clothes have been kept in some smelly place before I got them. I just wish I knew a good way to get rid of the odour. Two washings have not done it.
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Elaine
Posted on: 7/8/09 5:43 PM ET
In reply to Elaine Dougan
Washing with vinegar might help, not sure the ratio but I am sure if you google it there would be something. I usually just pour some in perhaps a cup. Also if you can hang them outside to dry, (not in the bright sun if they are coloured) that may also help.
Posted on: 7/8/09 5:48 PM ET
I'd guess it depends on the cause of the smell.
If you haven't already done so, wash them in VERY HOT water and strong detergent.
If it's a petroleum based product you'll probably need the hot water and strong detergent and maybe even some solvents like the hand cleaner mechanics use.
If it's mildew or mold, then you might first try soaking in lemon juice or vinegar. Also hot water.
If it's still stinky, I'd probably resort to enzymatic cleaners or even Clorox...but I hate the byproducts of using Clorine bleach, so I'd leave it until last.
I would hope this would fix the problem. If not, I'd be hesitant to put those pieces against a child's skin...
(warning: any or all of these could cause fading...)
-- Edited on 7/8/09 5:49 PM --
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If you haven't already done so, wash them in VERY HOT water and strong detergent.
If it's a petroleum based product you'll probably need the hot water and strong detergent and maybe even some solvents like the hand cleaner mechanics use.
If it's mildew or mold, then you might first try soaking in lemon juice or vinegar. Also hot water.
If it's still stinky, I'd probably resort to enzymatic cleaners or even Clorox...but I hate the byproducts of using Clorine bleach, so I'd leave it until last.
I would hope this would fix the problem. If not, I'd be hesitant to put those pieces against a child's skin...
(warning: any or all of these could cause fading...)
-- Edited on 7/8/09 5:49 PM --
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
Posted on: 7/8/09 8:04 PM ET
In reply to SexiSadi
The fabrics I were referring to were fabrics..and not RTW..and were being sold in AU..not in the USA..WHY..I don't know..will be anxious when my friend is better to discuss this with her..being an idiot I did not pay much attention to her ranting as it was not an issue affecting me..and it has been a while since the conversation took place.. Could be the author of this thread got hold of some of those garments..or garments made from some of those fabrics..And also..there are garments made in India, Thailand, Mexico..etc.etc. etc..not to find anything else not made in China..or overseas may be harder..
Posted on: 7/8/09 9:04 PM ET
In reply to Elaine Dougan
I have a lot of luck getting the musty smell out of towels with hot water, detergent and about a cup of baking soda. Maybe this will help get the odor out of your smelly baby clothes! Good luck!
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Listen with your ears-hear with your heart!
Posted on: 7/8/09 11:35 PM ET
In reply to SexiSadi
Found some fabrics at Hancock Fabrics that were made in Korea, Vietnam, Japan, India, and a few other Far Eastern nations. Not so unusual to find fabrics made in India--some, like Madras, SHOULD be made in India.
"Made In China" fabric feels cheap and nasty. Has it occurred to anyone that your stash, with it's "Made In the U.S.A." labels, is becoming very valuable?
"Made In China" fabric feels cheap and nasty. Has it occurred to anyone that your stash, with it's "Made In the U.S.A." labels, is becoming very valuable?
Posted on: 7/8/09 11:47 PM ET
In reply to poorpigling
I don't know if this refers to tests done in Australia about very high levels of formeldahyde (sic) on fabric/rtw coming from China? But basically some tv stations did research to show that the nice/soft/wrinkle free fabric that we love is drenched in not-so-nice chemicals. The levels were ????extreme. So people started questioning the fabrics/rtw coming out of China.
Basically, some cheap and nasty fabrics are made into childrens' clothes. In my opinion if the smell is just musty then the tips on baking soda etc should work. If the smell remains then I would suspect the fabric is the cause. I have worked in retail where people returned some childrens' clothes because of the "inky" smell coming off the fabric was not nice. Sometimes the fabric just seems to retain smells????
As a horder of baby clothes some times I have just bit the bullet and chucked the stuff out (unless I wanted to keep them for patterns
)
Basically, some cheap and nasty fabrics are made into childrens' clothes. In my opinion if the smell is just musty then the tips on baking soda etc should work. If the smell remains then I would suspect the fabric is the cause. I have worked in retail where people returned some childrens' clothes because of the "inky" smell coming off the fabric was not nice. Sometimes the fabric just seems to retain smells????
As a horder of baby clothes some times I have just bit the bullet and chucked the stuff out (unless I wanted to keep them for patterns
)
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