I washed two knitted afghans that were made about 25 years ago or more. They have been stored in a cardboard box in a basement since then. They didn't smell bad dry, but when I washed them, the odor came out big time! I washed them again, and it didnt really help. I went ahead and dried them in the dryer with some dryer sheets, and they arent too bad, but I'm afraid they are going to stink as soon as humidity or dampness enters the picture.These are the acrylic yarn type afghans. Any ideas????
Thanks!
2007-02-01 12:21:25 · 15 answers · asked by laneylou 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Vinegar and baking soda are both safe environmentally friendly deodorisers. Don't use them together though.
When you've finished washing them hang them in the fresh air for as long as possible, preferably in a breeze.
You can also put a damp flannel into a tumble drier with a few drops of essential oil on it. Tumble the knitwear on a coolish setting with the flannel for twenty minutes or so.
Lavender is good.
2007-02-01 23:08:19 · answer #1 · answered by Leaf 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
After giving them a good wash, Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse water, that will take care of the odor. When you remove them from the washer, you will smell the vinegar, put them in the dryer and when they are dry, there will no longer be any odors at all.
2007-02-01 13:36:15 · answer #2 · answered by lennie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fill the washing machine with water, add 1 or 2 quarts of White Vinegar to the water and soak them for a couple of hours. Then wash them the regular way with detergent and fabric softener. Vinegar will get out some of the most persistent odors.
2007-02-01 13:26:17 · answer #3 · answered by dathinman8 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd consider washing them again and instead of drying them in the dryer, hang them outside on a sunny day. When re-packing them, I'd layer scented dryer sheets between the folds and place them in a large plastic, zippered pouch. Or, at least into plastic garbage bags that can be sealed and placed into a plastic storage bin for safe keeping....
2007-02-01 13:31:42 · answer #4 · answered by Patricia D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was wondering if you have tried taking them to a dry cleaners, I would definitely call and see if they could help.
If not, try TIDE with the scents and the color safe bleach.
GOOD LUCK
(and thank you for holding onto a piece of family history)
when you store them again, try one of those HUGE gallon airtight storage bags (hefty makes some large ones) and place them in there to keep the musty smell from coming back if the aformentioned works!
GOOD LUCK (Your family is counting on you to preserve this piece of history!!!)
2007-02-01 12:28:01 · answer #5 · answered by kissmymiddlefinger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try washing them with your regular detergent (only about half as much as usual) and adding some baking soda. Baking soda is a good deodorizer. Or you could try putting some vinegar in the rinse cycle. Well, actually you could wash with the baking soda AND add the vinegar in the rinse cycle.
2007-02-01 18:00:27 · answer #6 · answered by Amber I 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do this to blankets after storage: Cover them in "Febreeze" and hang them in the sun on a sunny afternoon, even if it's in the cold. Then put them in the dryer with 4-6 dryer sheets, respray. Good to go.
2007-02-01 12:40:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dry cleaner would be best. You could also spray febreeze on them and hang them outside to dry in the sun if the weather is nice.
Or - you could try setting them near a bowl of distilled white vinegar. It will absorb most of the odor.
2007-02-01 12:31:41 · answer #8 · answered by Ro b 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
wash them in vinegar and repeat again in the rinse cycle
2007-02-01 15:05:55 · answer #9 · answered by SIDECAR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's this stuff in the pet aisle, I think it's called "Out" It's an enzyme odor remover. It works for me.
2007-02-01 14:09:34 · answer #10 · answered by sexmagnet 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋