Need suggestion for removing chemical smell from clothing

Factual Questions
1

Grabbed a couple of jeans leggings from Wal-Mart the other day ago, dumped them in the wash and then hung them to dry.

Now that they’re dry, they’re utterly unwearable. The smell coming off them even after a couple of warm-water washings AND a 24-hour soak in Glade odor remover is still unpleasant. It’s either the dye, and/or the insecticide clothing is sprayed with to protect it from vermin.

I need something better to kill the odor or I’m going to have to deepsix the clothing.

Suggestions welcome.

2

It might be worth it to try one of the cleaning formulas used for cleaning up pet accidents. Nature’s Miracle is one brand. You can either spray it on or add the stuff directly to the laundry, obviously check the label for directions.

3

I don’t think you’ll get rid of the smell. I suspect since they’re leggings they are stretchy? I have stretchy jeans from Lane Bryant and Fashion bug and after a year plus of washing and wearing they still smell. The one pair’s stank has faded but I smell it from time to time.

Using other chemicals to try to rectify it seems to only make it worse. Heat seems to make them worse too, so maybe a cold-water washing is in order.

4

I’ve had good luck with vinegar. Try soaking a couple of times and see if that helps.

5

which kind of vinegar? does it matter?

6

ozonolysis has been used for odors, if you can find a company that can provide you with an ozone generator for that purpose.

7

I just use plain white vinegar. I put a cup or so in the washer and let it fill with water. Soak for hours, then wash.

Vinegar is generally safe to use. People used to use it to “set” dye.

8

Or using it instead of fabric conditioner in the wash cycle :slight_smile:

9

Why don’t you return them to the store?

10

A non-return sale?

I don’t buy many cleaning products. I always have a bunch of the following items in stock which work for nearly everything: Baking soda; white vinegar (by the gallons); and Borax.

I read recently that a good way to remove tobacco odor from clothes is to hang them outside for a few days if possible. FWIW.

There is also some kind of odor remover steam machine you can find on places such as Amazon but I never tried one.

So if I really thought the items in question were worth the effort I’d try this:

Tub soak or in the machine:

First the water. (“Add dry to wet.”)

A couple of cups or less or Borax powder.*

White vinegar. Guess amount.

Some baking soda WTH.

A squirt of dishwashing detergent.

Skip the dryer.

Borax is a water softener.* Linen restorers use it to soften the water before washing things because hard water prevents the cleaning product to really get into the fabric.

**I guess any fabric softener is fine but I avoid buying commercial cleaners and don’t like things that are perfumed.

I make my own “Nature’s Miracle” out of everything above EXCEPT the Borax but as I think about it now I see no reason not to try it.

A squirt of dishwashing detergent.