Smelly Laundry

Updated on May 18, 2009
K.J. asks from Murphysboro, IL
12 answers

I have a blanket and some towels that smell really bad even though I've washed them a couple of times. Unfortunately they were caught in a full washer when our power went off for 6 days, I was unable to get them out and find a place to put them, or drain the washer. Any ideas on how to get the smell out?

K.

1 mom found this helpful

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So What Happened?

The vinegar worked great!!! No smell at all after just one wash, not even a vinegar smell. Thank you so much! PS I just put the vinegar in with the soap dribbled over the laundry.

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K.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi K.,

You will be amazed if you add vinegar to the soap and water and wash it again. A farmer taught me that - their clothes can get really stinky - because they work their butts off all day and half the night! For his normal loads, he put the soap in and then added a cup of vinegar. It works AMAZINGLY well!

You might try it! It's just white vinegar, cheap-o stuff! If it doesn't help right away, try more or try soaking it with the soap and vinegar (after you let it agatate some).

Hope it works!
K.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I got advice on here before to use white vinegar to your wash. I put like a cup in and it worked! 6 days is a long time though, so I hope it works. I have noticed that the dark loads turn smelly, if I leave it in the wash for 24 hrs, it smells nasty, I mean obivisiously we all try not to do this, but hey we are busy moms. But I did notice you can leave the whites in there for a day and they wont smell! Just in case you needed to know that! ;)

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J.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you tried baking soda? I would use a a complete small box in the wash cycle. You can use detergent with it also. I've used it when I left a load in the washer by accident & it seems to have worked well. It may take more than one try.

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M.Z.

answers from Wichita on

White Vinegar, you need to run your washer empty with white vinegar first, then run your laundry with a dash of white vinegar to get rid of the smell. Good Luck!

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L.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I had this problem before. The best thing i found was to dry the towels in the dryer completly and then rewash them again (sometimes more than once) with a small amount of bleach in them (even if they are colors). The bleach makes a big difference!! I know this sounds really strange....but are the towels red, orange, or pink? I had an issue for a while with towel only of that color! I know that sounds funny but very true! Anyway, give it a try and see how it works for you. It worked great for me! Good luck!

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L.B.

answers from St. Joseph on

I'd also say if you have a place where you could set the stuff outside and let some fresh air get to it before you go at it again with either the vinegar or baking soda, I'd try that. I had a devil of a time getting moth ball smells out of a blanket and that's what was recommended to me.

I've tried the Frebreeze stuff for the washer but sometimes if the odor is too strong it won't work. Make sure you are washing on HOT HOT HOT water to try to get the smells out.

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C.K.

answers from Springfield on

Hi K.,
Try plain old vinegar. It may take a couple of times, but it should work.
Good luck,
C.

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

I see you already found white vinegar got the smell out, but it also works as a fabric softner. Put some in the rinse cycle (or where you put fab.soft. if there is a place to add in) and you will be surprised! A "GREEN" and CHEAP way to soften clothes. In wash cycle, it helps laundry soap work better, which means you need less. Another money $aver!

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A.L.

answers from St. Louis on

You know we do too. I try not to put as much softner as I used too. I not sure if that's it or not. it has been a little better. and I went out and bought some new ones too. I know not cheap. My sister has the same problem. not sure where you live but I think it's our water. if you find something let me know. I think if we all would use the non chemical stuff it would be better not only for clothes but us too. they is so much stuff in it all. but it tens to get exspentive.

God Bless you!!!
Ang

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J.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I have the same problem so I read through all the advice but I was wondering if any of you have front loading washing machines and if so where do you put the vinegar--in the soap cup or just in the washing bin?

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S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

WEll??IF YA CAN"T USE REGULAR CLOROX<USE CLOROX 2.

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C.H.

answers from Columbia on

I have used with Febrezze laundry(make sure to let soak-I let mine soak a little longer cause the smell was strong). Just make sure to follow the directions. It didn't bleach the clothes or anything. Good luck.

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