How do you get rid of stong mildew smell?

Question

I just got a box full of things I had when I lived somewhere else. They were in a storage unit in Washington for six years. Now there is mildew smell all over everything that has fabric on it that was in the boxes. That means clothes (that aren't white,) TY plushies, a few thick cloth belts, and a few books. Is there a way that I can get the rid of the mildew smell without harming any of these childhood teasures? The TYs don't exactly have washing unstructions, so I have NO idea how to wash those.

Oh, and I forgot that there's also I Furby that happens to smell worst of all.
What? It was a manly green Furby. Really...

Answer 1

Take the clothing and wash it when it gets to the rinse cycle add 1 1/2 cups of white vinegar that will take the odor out.
And stuffed animals I would dust them with baking soda,put them in a paper bag and leave them for a day or two. This will also take the odor out. Books again dust the books and the pages with baking soda and place them in a box or bag for 1 or 2 days. then use a soft paint brush to remove it. When you remove the baking soda mix it with water and put it down the drain, that will help clean your drain and pipes,

Answer 2

Anything you don't trust in the washer place in a garbage bag filled with a box of baking soda. Shake the bag and allow items to sit for about 15 minutes. The take your vacuum's hose and vacuum the baking soda off. If you can wash the item do so in an old pillowcase. Place your manly stuffed animals inside an old pillowcase and tie a simple knot at the top. This will help the little buggers from getting damaged by the washing machine's agitator. Or take them to the laundromat and use the big barrel washing machines without agitators. Whatever you do don't use warm or hot water! It turns the fur into an ugly mat. Use cold water only. Try some ammonia in the wash cycle and some vinegar in the rinse. Allow to air dry. If you need to store them again, place some dryer sheets inside the box with them. Good luck! :)

Answer 3

Vinegar gets rid of the musty mildew smell. If you can wash in the machine, use a cup of vinegar in the wash. For the Furby, I would use a cloth dipped in vinegar and wipe down the toy. Kinda like a sponge bath. Then set him in the sun for the day. The books can be wiped down with a damp vinegar rag and set in the sun. The belts, If you can't wash them wipe them down and place in the sun.

In summery, Sun, fresh air and Vinegar will really help get rid of the smell and will kill any mildew remaining.

Answer 4

The ties can be washed by hand just let them soak in water. Do not wring, let drip dry. Spray the other things with fabreze Spread things around to "air out" . Put some saucers of baking soda around and by these things, it will absorb the odor.

Answer 5

I'm sorry, I disagree with the others.... everything except maybe the clothes needs to be thrown away. It's moldy, and that's gross. On top of that, it can make you sick.

The clothes, you can try washing them in the hottest water that's okay for the fabric, and add 1 cup of ammonia to the load.

Honestly though, in storage for 6 years? Just pitch it.

Answer 6

Scrub the carpet with dish washing soap and water in a bowl, and a hand brush, rub dry with a towel. Leave a big towel over it till dry. Leave window open and ventilation fan. Once carpet is dry sprinkle a few drops of carpet colongue on it. Will smell great!

Answer 7

Bleach and water. It must have been in a very wet or damp condition. Hard to kill the stuff once it gets into the fab. Give it a try.

Answer 8

I wash TY beanies and plushies that my son likes in his cot. Just do them on a 40 degree wash!