I bought about 15 bags of composted steer manure for my garden this year. Only one of them had a terrible putrid smell, don't know why. I did plant a fruit tree using some sewage sludge based planting mix onetime, and the tree died. When I dug it up the roots had rotted off and a terrible smell came from the hole. I will never use anything with sewage sludge in it again, even though they claim it is composted and odorless.

Assuming there are no stains, spills, dirt, body fluids/sweat, and that they have been on a clean body, jeans should be washed every 3rd or 4th wear. The fabric starts to degrade making the jeans look 'old' when not washed *properly*. Washing isn't the main problem, it is using cycles and detergents that are too harsh. Jeans should be turned inside-out and I prefer permanent press, warm water, cold rinse, and a lower spin cycle. Also, I think hang-drying works best, or drying on the delicate cycle and removing when still slightly damp. Would like to know anyone else's thoughts, best practices, etc. I spend about $200 each on jeans so I want to take care of them, but I'm not about to go 6 months without washing them!

I think you might be holding it against the product because they stated it on the label. Which cycle do you think the fabric softener comes in to play? Ever wonder why there are seperate compartments for bleach, detergent and fab con? The reason is the wash cycle takes in Detertergent first, then bleach and then fabric softener is released in the rinse cycle :) As far as the chemicals are concerned, I know this because I have been working with chemicals and labelling regulations all my life. I work as a scientist in New York, I am a Bio Chem PhD from UMich... Products that kill germs (Lysol, Clorox etc) are regulated by the EPA which means by US law they are mandated to list ingredients on pack thus you will see ingredient details. Other products like detergents, oxies, fabric softeners dont kill germs hence not regulated by EPA or government and thus you might never see whats on the inside :)

I bought a pair of Levi jeans a few weeks ago at Kohls and they have a funky odor - the tag says made in Macau. Every brand I tried on had that funny odor that imported clothes frequently have. I washed them before wearing them and my legs smelled just like the pants after I wore them. I've washed them 3 more times and they still stink. Levi said it could be a defect and I could return them to place of purchase or send them to Levi for inspection. I really don't want to pay for shipping to Levi, so I'll probably return them.... but EVERY pair of jeans I tried on had some sort of weird smell about them! Would ya'll please share what brand of jeans you like that don't smell ?! Thanks, Cindy