# How do you get a really, really bad smell out of clothing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2013, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107 "2013-04-19T05:34:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/1 "2013-04-19T05:34:49Z")
Okay, I know there will follow many unfortunate puns, and I accept this, because I’m desperate. I guess I must have had a capsule of fish oil in my pocket or something when I did my laundry. (Don’t ask me why. Nooooo idea.) Now all my favorite clothes smell like Cthulhu. And while I concede that there may be hidden benefits to this that one of you will surely come up with, I Just. Can’t. Stand. The. Smell. Please, please help me. It seems to me that to remove an oil you need an enzyme? What if I put a papaya in the blender? (daiquiri? why yes, thank you.) Will that can of coca cola thing work? I tried an entire box of baking soda, and the two strongest good-smelling laundry detergents I know. (with Febreze even.) Didn’t touch it. Aaaargh. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/2 "2013-04-19T05:40:01Z")
Maybe try the suggestion for cleaning skunk smell from clothes? (From [Yahoo Search - Web Search](http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090317092248AAWUB7X)) > [@](#): > > The following recipe is effective at neutralizing skunk odor and can be used on people, pets, tires or any object that has been sprayed by a skunk. Note however, that it contains hydrogen peroxide and can cause skin, eye and mucous membrane irritation. Peroxide can also cause fading or damage to clothing, carpet, paint and so on. If you are concerned about the possibility of damage, test it on an inconspicuous portion of the material. Thorough rinsing with water will help to minimize any fading or damage. > > Mix together: > > One quart 3% hydrogen peroxide\* > > ¼ cup baking soda > > one teaspoon liquid dish soap > > - white vinegar can be substituted, but it is not as effective > > If washing a pet, keep the solution out of their ears and avoid their eyes and mouth. Wash thoroughly with the solution then rinse thoroughly. Repeat if necessary. Use the solution immediately after preparation. Do not store unused solution. > > Removing skunk spray is most effective during the first few hours after spraying. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![yawuntz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a5b964/32.png) [@yawuntz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yawuntz)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/3 "2013-04-19T05:40:29Z")
Fire. Ten minutes in a roaring fire. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/4 "2013-04-19T05:48:04Z")
Hydrogen peroxide. Check. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/5 "2013-04-19T06:04:24Z")
Hair shampoo - these are formulated to break up and remove oils. Pick one that’s labelled for oily hair, and make sure it isn’t a shampoo / conditioner combo. ---
**Author:** ![FuzzyOgre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@FuzzyOgre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuzzyOgre)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/6 "2013-04-19T06:31:16Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Hair shampoo - these are formulated to break up and remove oils. Pick one that’s labelled for oily hair, and make sure it isn’t a shampoo / conditioner combo. But I like a well conditioned T-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/7 "2013-04-19T07:42:45Z")
A degreaser. I prefer LA’s Totally Awesome or something like that, from Dollar Tree. Betcha a zillion dollars it works. soak it, though, for at least 4 hours. Then, pour Palmolive over offending clothing, and give it a quick scrub, if the material will stand it. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/8 "2013-04-19T08:44:14Z")
You might want to check if part of the smell is in your washer now. If the oils have adhered to the rubber parts of your washer, you might try running it empty or with a machine cleaner on a hot program, and then try doing laundry again. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/9 "2013-04-19T09:37:55Z")
Peroxide will fade your clothes. Degreaser and fuels may also fade or dissolve or stain destroy your clothes. Oxygen bleach is a commercial product, made to a precise recipe, that if used as per instructions, won’t wreck your clothes. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/10 "2013-04-19T15:29:06Z")
Dishwashing soap ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/11 "2013-04-19T15:33:42Z")
Yup, if it’s oil, then use Dawn or other dishwashing soap. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/12 "2013-04-19T15:59:36Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > Now all my favorite clothes smell like Cthulhu. I spit banana on my brand-new widescreen monitor. Damn you. You deserve to smell like fish. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/13 "2013-04-19T16:21:08Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > I guess I must have had a capsule of fish oil in my pocket or something when I did my laundry. (Don’t ask me why. Nooooo idea.) Now all my favorite clothes smell like Cthulhu. And while I concede that there may be hidden benefits to this that one of you will surely come up with, I Just. Can’t. Stand. The. Smell. Buy a Cthulhu Knitted Ski Mask and nobody will notice the smell. [http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYV12031#desc](http://www.entertainmentearth.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TYV12031#desc) If you still want to remove the smell, take the clothes to a professional dry cleaner and be sure to inform them what caused the stain/smell. Or try applying naptha IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/14 "2013-04-19T17:10:01Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Hair shampoo - these are formulated to break up and remove oils. Pick one that’s labelled for oily hair, and make sure it isn’t a shampoo / conditioner combo. > [@FuzzyOgre](#): > > But I like a well conditioned T-shirt. Nothing wrong with that. But condition _separately_. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/15 "2013-04-19T17:10:27Z")
I wonder if [this oxy cleaner stuff](http://reviews.dollartree.com/0550/156846/reviews.htm?sort=reviewTextLength)from the Dollar Tree will work. I use it on my clothes and it doesn’t do anything BAD…maybe if you need a lot of it (to do several loads) it’d be nice to just pay $1. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/16 "2013-04-19T17:22:03Z")
I’ve had success using Febreze on bad smells–although not fish–on fabric. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/17 "2013-04-19T17:32:40Z")
All of the fishermen I know wash their clothes in Pine Sol ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/18 "2013-04-19T19:25:59Z")
I’ve gotten cat pee (worst smell ever) out of clothing by soaking for a few hours in oxyclean and HOT water. FWIW, I think the Dollar Tree oxyclean is the exact same thing as the national brand. ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/19 "2013-04-19T20:10:25Z")
Wow, **ZipperJJ,** didja happen to click on the photo of that person’s carpet, on the page you linked to? Pretty amazing. Because all my favorite clothes are black, I think I will try this stuff first; if that doesn’t do it, maybe Pine-Sol. Thank you so much everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107/20 "2013-04-19T20:27:35Z")
Pet store: enzyme solution “Nature’s Miracle”. Gets out pee smell and many others. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-get-a-really-really-bad-smell-out-of-clothing/656107.md?page=2)