[USER]

We’re expecting our first baby in about 4 1/2 weeks. I’ve been gifted a lot of gently used clothes from local Buy Nothing groups and a coworker.

All clean homes. All of them have a specific smell that I dont like.

I’ve washed them in Woolite gentle cycle detergent that I use for us, plus some white vinegar. The smell isn’t going away.

It’s similar to when you buy clothes from a thrift store but a different smell.

Any ideas on how to remove that odor and remove the smell?

Adding: I live in a townhouse, so I’m unable to line dry outside in the sun. I can only machine dry or air dry indoors.

[Beth]

All free and clear plus Downy actually makes an odor remover that is unscented and works.

I use it on our dogs blankets

[Mary]

I can imagine you are concerned abt exposing your baby to this smell. in your description, you didn’t mention anything abt soaking the items.

you could sure try washing them again, but this time shut offf the machine and let the clothes soak for a hour or more before you turn the machine back on.

use a little more detergent than usual – baking soda is famous for absorbing smells – you could also pour some alcohol into the water after the soaking period is over – the vodka as already suggested, or some rubbing alcohol – if you could give us a hint as to what the smelll is that you are detecting – that might help in narrowing in on what to try next.

best of luck !

[Cathy]

Baking soda and vinegar. A couple of washes. That will diminish previously used soap and additive residue.

Then wash in your regular detergent.

[Julie]

Google ‘laundry stripping’ & try soaking in your tub or sink. This should remove all of the residue of what they had used in the past that is still in the fibers.

Also, I did see that they may smell different after your little one is born. That’s also true.

I lost my sense of smell a few years before my kiddo was born & unfortunately it returned when I was pregnant.

Thankful it went away again after he was born!

[Elizabeth]

I would wash with regular detergent with baking soda and then rinse with vinegar added. Then wash in Dreft.

I only used Dreft for my sensitive skin babies as it worked great for smells.

[Cara]

Look up stripping cloth diapers – I think borax is involved? It’s a routine upkeep of those diapers when the urine smell lingers.

So, you could strip the clothes by soaking in your tub if sunshine doesnt work.

[Sue]

You might find when you have had your baby that the items smell ok- hormones can change odours

[Heather]

Use the Downy rinse and refresh. It takes even deep seated smells out of clothes.

I’d do a heavy dose of that, and then run them through an extra rinse cycle

[Teresa]

I have read and intend to try myself a tip from several people, one of whom worked on theatre costumes, and that is to pour cheap vodka into a spray bottle and liberally spray the clothing, then air dry.

[Del]

I would try the vodka trick. As a side note… with so many people having chemical sensitivities and allergies to scented products, please be careful with such things around your baby.

[Pam]

I know that Vodka will remove the odor of pee, poop and vomit from clothing and bedding.

I soaked it in a bucket for 2 days then washed twice in the washer.

I bought the cheapest Vodka the ABC store had. It worked a miracle let me tell you.

[Marlinda]

Try a soak in cool water with a little borax. Read label for amounts.

Rinse well then wash leaving on soak cycle without any added detergent as they are ready clean.

[Francess]

you need to wash them twice with nothing but baking soda and vinegar. look up your ratio s for getting rid of mold.

do not use laundry detergent. you will need a specific wash for the baby anyway.

if the smell doesnt come out after 2 go arounds they may be made of a material that will never get the smell out.

get rid of them. for the most part buy white items that can easily be bleached. buy natural fabrics only.

it’s the synthetics that smell.

[Michele]

Place in a plastic bag with a box of baking soda for a week . This smell is just due to being stored.

Fresh air will help also if could hang them outside

[Emily]

I would probably wash in a stronger detergent on heavy duty with laundry sanitizer, and then just rewash with your gentle detergent after.

[LaRitha]

Have u asked other people to smell them? If they don’t agree. Then be honest. It’s either hormones or a block from something else.

Wait until you have your baby, if u feel the same.

And decide If u don’t really want them.

If not, give them to someone that can use them.

[Vicki]

It’s more than likely your hormones and a soap you’re not used to. My daughter is like that when she’s pregnant.

Washing soda in with some unscented, gentle soap and vinegar in the rinse water will neutralize just about anything.

If you don’t live someplace where you’re having a pollen storm, you can also put them outside in the sun, and it will take any odors out.

[Laken]

It’s expensive, but the Natures Miracle enzyme cleaner is crazy effective at removing smells.

It’s meant for animal urine, so it works really well.

It’s about $30 for a bottle though, so may not be very frugal.

[Marta]

I would recommend using something stronger to get rid of any lingering smells and germs. You could add some laundry sanitizer as well.

When I do that I always hang dry in the sun after to help dissipate the smell of the sanitizer.

[Barbara]

Dreft detergent is expensive but design for cleaning dirty baby clothes.

Give it a try and let it soak before finishing the cleaning cycle and then rinse in white vinegar.

Dry out in the sun

[Author]

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