Getting mothball smell out of old, non washable material?

Gingermom15 · October 2015

I tried googling this all morning and only came up with solutions that require soaking the item. Not trying to bug you guys

I was gifted a blanket, hat and vest hand crocheted by my great-grandmother for my dad when he was born. My aunt has been keeping them for years. The fabric to still pearly white and has been well-kept over the last 56 years, but they smells like mothballs so bad I can't take them out of their ziplock bags because they stink up the house. (My great-grandparents house was super smelly lol).

The thing is, I really want to incorporate the items in his Christmas photos I plan on doing. My grandpa passed away in June and my grandma has had a rough transition with losing him and selling the home they lived in their entire marriage because she couldn't afford the taxes without his retirement compensation. I would love to give her pictures for her new house of her great-grandson wearing the things her own mother made. Maybe it would make it feel more like a home for her. But I can't envision putting mothball-smelling items on my newborn.

spottedginger · October 2015

I would air them outside in the wind and sun for several days of possible. That won't eliminate the odor, but will start dissipating it. Perhaps a light sprinkle with baking soda or putting them in a Tupperware with one of the fridge packs of baking soda would help after you've aired them out, too? I love febreeze, but it might irritate little one's skin.

Gingermom15 · October 2015

spottedginger said:
I would air them outside in the wind and sun for several days of possible. That won't eliminate the odor, but will start dissipating it. Perhaps a light sprinkle with baking soda or putting them in a Tupperware with one of the fridge packs of baking soda would help after you've aired them out, too? I love febreeze, but it might irritate little one's skin.

That's a good idea. Maybe I can hang it in an open window for a little while and see if it helps, we can't have items hanging outside per our apartment lease. It's stupid.

Holdmomma · October 2015

I had a similar situation with my first LO. I aired it out, and the smell was slightly improved. When it was time for pictures with the vintage outfit, I layered with a onsie so the stinky fabric barely touched baby's skin. Once the pictures were done I changed outfits right away. No harm done!

groovylocks · October 2015

spottedginger said:

I would air them outside in the wind and sun for several days of possible. That won't eliminate the odor, but will start dissipating it. Perhaps a light sprinkle with baking soda or putting them in a Tupperware with one of the fridge packs of baking soda would help after you've aired them out, too? I love febreeze, but it might irritate little one's skin.

This is a great idea. Also have you considered having the items professionally cleaned? "Dry cleaning" is a bit misleading as the process does involve soaking - so that may not be an option for you - but consider getting on the phone with (i know this is weird) an antique dealer and see if they have, or know of, any resorces for restoring old clothing. They might be able to point you in the right direction.

Gingermom15 · October 2015

@Holdmomma I'll try that first. But since it's really bad, like smelling a box of mothballs bad because my great grandparents were crazy, I'll call up an antique dealer and see what they say if it's still bad. Maybe something similar to restoring antique doll clothes since they are usually non washable? That's a good idea @groovylocks I never thought about dry cleaning because our general rule is that if it has to be dry cleaned it doesn't belong here. With the exception of a tuxedo or wedding dress. Lol

groovylocks · October 2015

sarahgn said:

@Holdmomma I'll try that first. But since it's really bad, like smelling a box of mothballs bad because my great grandparents were crazy, I'll call up an antique dealer and see what they say if it's still bad. Maybe something similar to restoring antique doll clothes since they are usually non washable? That's a good idea @groovylocks I never thought about dry cleaning because our general rule is that if it has to be dry cleaned it doesn't belong here. With the exception of a tuxedo or wedding dress. Lol

This might be an exception to that rule but have a frank discussion with your dry cleaner. They use chemicals to preserve and protect delicate or difficult fabric but I actually own a garment that specifically states "Do not dry clean." because the chemicals would eat through the material used to make the collar and cuffs. It was a gift and since it's also sensitive to washing, i don't wear it much

yl1m32015 · October 2015

I went ahead and washed items like that anyways. I used my delicate/hand wash setting and free and clear detergent, then air dried. They came out just fine, even a 60year old knitted blanket from my great grandmother.

cav4christ · October 2015

You might have try putting it in the freezer for awhile. This is what my mom always says to do for things like books that start to smell musty. I don't know...just an idea?

nram25 · October 2015

Lol this may sound weird but I like the smell of mothballs.

BostonBaby1 · October 2015

I agree with the suggestion of airing it out and possibly look to dryclean… The other option that you have is to use linen wash instead of detergent. I have some sheets that are made of fabric that cannot go in the wash with anything like tide… It would break down the fabric. Several companies make them but one that I know is called SDH Linen Wash.

* autoCorrect fail

tinydove · October 2015

I would hand wash, that would be gentler than even the delicates setting on the washer, using a gentle detergent. Then air dry. I don't think that they're necessarily unwashable, even though they are old items.

TomekiaB · October 2015

Yes, did someone tell you they aren't washable? Is it real wool or something? I wash any of my stretchy formal wear that says "dry clean only" in by hand in a little woolite, rinse it well and line dry they come out great and don't stink like dry cleaning chemicals.

My family uses the mothballs (also sold in a kitty litter texture literally called "snake-away") to keep snakes away from the house's foundation and it can take a good 3 months for those products to stop smelling unless their is a lot of rain--so it may take a really long time to air it out.

BostonBaby1 · October 2015

I just remembered, Le Blanc makes a fragrance free linen wash... It's pretty expensive, but where they sell it they should have sample sizes. And I agree with handwashing it in the sink if you don't have a hand wash cycle on your machine.

Gingermom15 · October 2015

TomekiaB said:
Yes, did someone tell you they aren't washable? Is it real wool or something? I wash any of my stretchy formal wear that says "dry clean only" in by hand in a little woolite, rinse it well and line dry they come out great and don't stink like dry cleaning chemicals.

My family uses the mothballs (also sold in a kitty litter texture literally called "snake-away") to keep snakes away from the house's foundation and it can take a good 3 months for those products to stop smelling unless their is a lot of rain--so it may take a really long time to air it out.

My grandmother suggested I not get them wet, as that is what her mother told her. I'm pretty sure the blanket is cotton and it seems like it would withstand a hand washing. But the vest, hat and booties appear and feel to me like they are real wool. They were part of his coming-home clothes and he was a winter baby, so it's likely it is wool. I've been airing them out all day and the clothing is virtually odor-free, the blanket still reeks as bad though.

BostonBaby1 · October 2015

sarahgn said:

TomekiaB said:
Yes, did someone tell you they aren't washable? Is it real wool or something? I wash any of my stretchy formal wear that says "dry clean only" in by hand in a little woolite, rinse it well and line dry they come out great and don't stink like dry cleaning chemicals.

My family uses the mothballs (also sold in a kitty litter texture literally called "snake-away") to keep snakes away from the house's foundation and it can take a good 3 months for those products to stop smelling unless their is a lot of rain--so it may take a really long time to air it out.
My grandmother suggested I not get them wet, as that is what her mother told her. I'm pretty sure the blanket is cotton and it seems like it would withstand a hand washing. But the vest, hat and booties appear and feel to me like they are real wool. They were part of his coming-home clothes and he was a winter baby, so it's likely it is wool. I've been airing them out all day and the clothing is virtually odor-free, the blanket still reeks as bad though.

If the blanket seems to be cotton and the only thing that seems to be spelling… Definitely try and hand washing it with cold water in linen wash fragrance free. Then lay it flat to dry so that it doesn't get out of shape.

Daphneh28 · October 2015

Hang to dry out in the air and then I would try dry cleaners as they appear to be real wool. We had this issue to a point with my baby outfits. My mom kept them so they are four baby dresses made by my great grandmother and are (gasp) 34 years old! Lol! She did such a great job keeping them intact. A littler faded but lovely. She aired them out a few days and then hand washed with dreft. I can't wait to take my beba's pictured with her in them!

TomekiaB · October 2015

It sounds like you've solved half the issue, with the wool items. Can you find out which local dry cleaner actually does wedding dresses or other preservation "in house" (the little ones send them out usually but its often still local). If so you might be able to stop by that dry cleaner and they might be able to tell you what the fabric is on the blanket and how to clean it safely, if you're in a bigger city that has vintage or antique clothing stores might have someone who can identify the material and care. Or if a local school has any textile or fashion design majors they might have a resource that could help.

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