what can I use to get a musty smell out of delicate fabrics?

Question

I have lots of handwash only scarves, several very old (including great grannys funeral shawl!) that smell musty due to storage problems. Any ideas of products that will help remove the smell & also stop it re-occuring

Answer 1

There is a couple of things you can get out a musty smell in clothes, try White Vinegar use about 1/4 cup of vinegar to a sink full of water and soak no more than five minutes for the scarves, your older items such as shawl or very old clothes can be soaked in a sink of water with 1/2 cup of Baking Soda then rinse all these items, do not put any in a dryer, hang to air dry only. If you are going to store these items away in say a closet or chest fill some type of container with Baking Soda or Kitty Litter that will absorb any moisture and so protect your valuable old items from smelling musty. Good Luck !

Answer 2

Hang the items outside in the shade for several hours to remove the smell. To prevent it, put cedar wood (or wood of your choice) shavings in same area but don't let it come in contact with the articles. This will keep the items smelling of your favorite wood. If that doesn't sound good to you, try buying some wrapped smelly soap from bath & body works. Choose one that smells good to you and leave in the area of the items. If storing in a box, put the soap in wrapped in a clean rag to make sure if it gets wet or sweats, it won't harm the stored items. Even regular bar soap can be used to give a pleasant smell, like dial or safeguard or whatever.

Answer 3

there´s only one product & it´s free, plenty fresh air and sun will rid the smell . just wait for a nice sunny day . If clothes are not given plenty air this what happen´s they get this musty smell . There are slighttly perfumes paper you can put in your closet and drawers, But if you leave the closet open every now and then to let the air circulate , and a humidifier helps too PS, I should have said do this before you wash them , sorry , think I´d better have a coffee and wake myself up a bit

Answer 4

There is a product made by the Rit company that whitens and brightens (another one is available for coloured fabrics). I use it on my lace curtains, antique linens. It works very well.

If you don't want to do this, soak them in a solution of mild soap for a few hours, then gently squeeze, rinse. Line dry.

Any fabric that is stored will eventually get this smell. You could try using natural cedar closet balls - available at Linens n Things.

Answer 5

Yes, use oxy-clean, there is no bleach in it but, it works to
remove stains and odors gently. Just put your delicates in a laundry bag, use a scoop of the oxy-clean and warm water in the wash with gentle detergent- and run on the delicate cycle.
Rinse with cold water. After that you might store them in an air tight bag with a dryer sheet. Good Luck, hope this helps!

Answer 6

When you hand wash them, add 1/4 cup white vinegar to the water. Once the clothes are dry, the odors should be gone.

Answer 7

Febreze and then leave outside on a dry day with a light breeze

Answer 8

just soak them in a baking soda solution for a while ,drain and rinse, drain and hang on the line

Answer 9

Yes Oxi-Clean is good but, soak them first in 1gal. water with half box of baking soda its an odor buster

Answer 10

febreze them and leave them outside to air out a bit.