Used bedding smell

14 years ago

Bought a beautiful old chenille bedspread from Goodwill. Have washed/soaked (numerous times) in washing soda & vinegar, dried w/drier sheets, hung outside for 3-4 days, have had it on the hedge (in front yard of course!) for over 2 weeks soaking in rain & sunshine. Have used Febreze, Dollar Store & homemade 'febreze', have sprinked thick layer of baking soda on it and let rain wash in in. Still has that Goodwill smell. Anyone have any suggestions?

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Comments (15)

OklaMoni
14 years ago
Only thing I would do at this time is take it back. Sometimes it isn't worth it.

Moni
User
14 years ago
If you don't think it would ruin the color, I'd make some sort of weak bleach/water solution and wash it again.
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Jasdip
14 years ago
Wow, you're more patient that I am!
I wonder if dry-cleaning would help but then that kind of defeats the low cost of the bedspread.
vala55
14 years ago
When I was collecting dolls I would find doll clothes that smelled musty. I put them in a paper bag with baking soda. I would close the bag up, shake it and let it set for a month or two. It always worked for me. You may have a smell you can't identify and that will never go away. Try what I suggested and if it doesn't work toss it.
Jasdip
14 years ago
Vala's post reminded me of when we were given our bedside tables. They were in a damp basement, and I stuff crumpled newspapers in the door with a margarine container of kitty litter.

The smell dissipated in a few days.
schoolhouse_gw
14 years ago
I'd say you've tried it all. I would just return it or toss. Makes me wonder what exactly the smell is???? yipes.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
get some of the most fabulous Purex crystals in the blue bottle (it is the best scent) you use it in with the washing detergent right at the beginning of wash. That stuff is simply amazing. I would not be with out it.

Purex Crystals

my cleaning lady always loved my laundry smell she had to have the crystals and now has passed on the tip to all of her clients.
forhgtv
14 years ago
I bought a new stuffed animal from eBay. It was still in its box, but had a horrible musty smell. Like Vala55, I put it in a plastic trash bag, dumped in some baking soda, tied it up tightly and left it alone for about two weeks. When I took it out, there was no smell. I vacuumed off the baking soda and the item was like new.
pammyfay
14 years ago
Either on this forum or elsewhere, I recall a question about trying to get rid of musty smells in a house. Someone recommended putting the item in an extra-large Ziploc bag (the kind that you can put soccer balls and other big, bulky things in) along with activated charcoal, which is available in the fish section of pet supply stores. You would have to put the charcoal in something with extra-small holes, of course, so it wouldn't damage the blanket.
lindyluwho
14 years ago
I would wash it again with some ammonia this time. I had a friend do that with some clothes that were in a house fire. It worked for her.

Linda
nodakgal
14 years ago
Borax will remove odors. You can find it in the laundry aisle.

Sam's Club sells Odo-Ban. It is very concentrated, works wonderfully on all kinds of things! DMIL was cleaning up after an attic fire, had horrible smoke smells in her laundry and used this. It removed everything!
I think I've seen Odo-Ban at Walmart also, but think its not the concentrate so you can use it straight from the bottle.
kacram
14 years ago
My brotherinlaw made us some fleece blankets. Well, he had his friend make them while he visited with her. She was a heavy smoker! So I had these two blankets I couldn't use. I washed them with everything I could think of. Left them outsided for weeks. Then had to leave them in the garage for months. The smell finally left. It was so time consuming, and the garage stunk for a while. But then, I'm very sensitive to smoke smell. good luck!
liz
14 years ago
I would try ODO Ban too...my friend had a house fire and it's what the pro's used to get rid of the smells...

Good Luck and let us know what works!!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
ODOBan is definitely a great product and I use it all the time on so many things. It is great to keep around the house.

You can also buy it online. I have only ever used the original version and I get mine at Sams by the gallon.

Here is a link that might be useful: odoban
jel48
14 years ago
My ex-husband was a heavy smoker. When we separated, my winter coat reeked of cigarette smoke. One of the guys at work recommended putting it in a closet with a big bowl of apple cider vinegar. I tried it, and left the closet door closed 3-4 days before checking on it. The smell was absolutely gone! I don't know if it would work on the smell that you have on the spread, but worth a try.

I've heard the charcoal suggestion that was mentioned earlier in the past. Others sound good as well. I think I'd just start at the top and work my way down. Depending on how much you love the spread, that is!