Funky Smelling Clothes.....

Updated on November 28, 2010
C.R. asks from Manchester, NH
10 answers

Hi everybody!!!
My question today is about clothes and how to get a smell out.
I recently got some clothes for my younger daughter on freecycle. First thing I did was wash half of them (what would fit in the washer.) When I went to put everything in the dryer, they smell horrible. Seriously like a dead animal. I went through the clothes as I was putting them in the wash, so I'm sure nothing strange went in with them and I didn't notice any smell. I tried washing them again, and again with the same smell when they were finished. I even poured a whole gallon of vinegar and let them soak over night. I also took them all out of the washer, put some old towels to run thru to see if maybe it was something with the washer, but it wasn't that. I'm almost ready to give up!!!!
At this point I don't even want to try washing the 2nd half of the clothes for fear they might smell like funk also.
The only reason I'm still trying to get rid of this smell is because the clothes are really nice.
If you have any ideas, tips that might help, please let me know!!!!!
Thanks and have a safe and blessed holiday season!!!!!
Cindy

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Featured Answers

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L.

answers from Cleveland on

I put hydrogen peroxide in with my laundry detergent. It gets out stains, whitens whites and gets out smells. About a cup with a smelly load.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

Arm and hammer laundry soap with bleach, and a box of baking soda. Let it soak.
We took in some kids over the summer and their clothes smelled like cigarettes and various animal urine. I had to wash them like 10 times, but it worked finally with the arm and hammer wash, baking soda, vinegar, and liquid fabric softener. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.S.

answers from Tulsa on

wash them in baking soda if its mildew use bleach but not at the same time as baking soda

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

Hmmm...well, we have a front load washer, and after a year or so started to have funky smelling stuff. Mostly hubby's work out clothes, his towels (he uses different ones cuz he likes smaller towels) and his work clothes, but of course other things too.

I was told front loaders have issues due to the way they seal or whatever..ugh...but a friend suggested getting Borax..good old fashioned Borax (Target..powdered stuff about $5.00 a box). I started using it along with my soap and downy....and after a wash or 2, HUGE difference. Not sure what it really does..but I am super sensitive to smells..SUPER...and this seems to do the trick. I add a little to every single load I do.

If the other suggestions don't work, its a cheap thing to try...run it thru a few times along with your detergent...can't hurt to try!

Good luck!

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A.C.

answers from Dayton on

My Mom always used Borax. Her doctor advised it. It takes soap residue out of the fabric of the clothes. Maybe there's a conflict of scents or mildew? I wish you luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.E.

answers from Cincinnati on

You got lots of good suggestions! Oxiclean has always been the one thing to get vomit and urine stench out of our clothes and bedding. I'd run the load of wash then stop it before it goes into the rinse cycle and let the clothes sit in the detergent and oxiclean a few hours. I would also try smaller loads so that everything can move freely in the water. Also I think Tide seems to work better for me then anything else. I once bought Costco's Kirkland detergent and my clothes were retaining stinky smells.

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L.S.

answers from New London on

get a gallon of totally toddler from babies R us soack the clothes in it and then wash the clothes. The enzymes may get the smell out.
It is probably mildew.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

Try baking soda in the water. Baking soda absorbs odors.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from New York on

try putting a capful or two of like mr. clean or something like that.. or pine sol.. soak in very hot water in your sink overnight... then try to wash with tide liquid.. see if this helps.. if it doesn't come out soon.. i would forget it.. but i would write to whoever sold them to you and tell them..

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Columbus on

Get some odorban and add it to the wash load - it is awesome that and oxiclean are my two favs! Good luck

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