How can I get the smell out?
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
Canada
May 16, 2011 3:12pm CST
First, let me explain that I have nothing against the people making the stuff or the country it comes from.
I bought some leggings at Tiger's at a very cheap price of $5. I cant afford to pay more at the moment and I was very happy to be able to buy those at such a cheap price. That said, of course they were made in China. Remember that I have nothing against china or the people who make the clothes. It helps me right now because thats all I can afford and I can only hope that it helps them too in return.
Ive noticed though that everything thats made in China has this strong smell. Its a mixture of gasoline and something very strong. Doesnt matter what I buy, if its made in China, it has that smell. Usually wash it twice and the smell is gone, but it wont come off the leggings. Ive washed them 3 times now and the smell is just as strong.
Can anyone recommend something?? Im using Ivory Baby Soap and Bounce in the dryer. Ive also used a bit of bleach in the second wash to see if it would help but it hasnt.
Any ideas please??
8 responses
@katieh (151)
•
16 May 11
In the UK we have something called Febreeze which you spray onto fabric to get rid of smells. It works really well - we used to use it on things like car seats which you can't wash if one of the children threw up.
I've also heard baking soda, which someone else recommended, if you can't get Febreeze.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157462)
• United States
17 May 11
Sometimes things are so bad even Febreeze does not work. That is when we make the little sachets of activated charcoal and put in the sealed up car, or in a sealed container with the bad smelling garment.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 May 11
@ Katieh: We do have Febreeze but I cant use that stuff because of my dog. Anything with "purel" in it ,he's allergic to. Since he's cuddling against me a lot, I cant take any chances. But baking soda is something Im definitely gonna try.
Thanks!
@ GG: How do you do those with the charcoal? I remember hearing about this but where do you get it?
You might try some lemon juice on them and see if that helps or baking soda is a good way to get odors out of clothing.I hope this helps and have a wonderful day.@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 May 11
Oh right, baking soda......I forgot about that. Im going to give those 2 a try for sure.
Thank you :)
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
19 May 11
I know its cheap, I paid only $5. lol. I also know it wont last very long but I bought 7 pairs, so when one goes, I have another. I still need to try what the others told me. Didnt have time last night but sure hope to this evening. If it all fails.....yes I will take them back!!
Thanks!!
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
17 May 11
I have never noticed this smell on things, but I would try items like washing them in baking soda and using vinegar as the fabric softner. I also would recommend spraying them with something like Febreeze to aid in ridding them of the smell. I also know that lemon juice is a great air freshener and fabric freshener.
I would think that there was no way that they could put gasoline on anything as it would be flammable if they did.
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 May 11
To begin with, I didnt say they put gasoline on the clothes. Of course they would catch on fire. I said it SMELLED LIKE gasoline!!
Some have suggested baking soda and fabric softener and lemon juice and charcoal. I cant use Febreeze because my dog is allergic to it. Im gonna try it all.
Thanks and sorry you thought I said they had dozed them with gasoline!!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 May 11
Fabric conditioner? All I can think of right now.
I have a woolly hat made in China and it makes my head itch. Maybe they use chemicals banned in other countries when they make things.
Who knows?
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 May 11
I guess the workers all get poisoned actually making things, not that the authorities give a monkeys about them.
I have washed my hat but the itchiness remains. It's a shame because it's a nice hat lol.
I have washed my hat but the itchiness remains. It's a shame because it's a nice hat lol.1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
18 May 11
I feel sorry for some of those people. Its weird, we had a documentary on tv last night and they were talking about it. We sometimes think we have it very bad with our jobs, but good grief, these people sure put up with a lot of sh*t!!
Maybe you can try some of the advice I was given here for the smell, it might help with the itchiness with your hat. I know how it feels to buy something pretty that we like and not be able to wear it.
Good Luck!!
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 May 11
They do use chemicals that are banned in other countries. I saw on my MSN Messenger this morning that they used a growth hormone on some water melons and they all exploded !!!!! I dont mind them trying to make money but I do mind if some of them try to kill us in the process.
Ive used fabric softener. I guess you cant wash your hat.....I always wash all the clothes now before I wear it.....it nearly all comes from China. (Again I have nothing against the Chinese people....hope Im not offending anyone here because its not why I posted. )
Thanks and good luck with yer hat!!
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 May 11
Some people have suggested baking soda, fabric softener and charcoal. Im gonna try all of those short to set them on fire haha!!
Thank you!
@GardenGerty (157462)
• United States
17 May 11
Buy some activated charcoal, like for an aquarium. Make "sachets" by pouring some in old socks. And put the tights in a sealed bag and it should absorb the smell. Or try washing with vinegar. The charcoal was a last resort when we bought a car that smelled like an ashtray, and we had tried everything else.
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 May 11
Oh thanks GG for letting me know where to get the charcoal and what type to get. I'll go to the pet store to get some for sure. I know charcoal will absorb bad odors and if it can get rid of the smell of an old ashtray, Im guessing its going to work on that smell. I'll try all of it haha.....Something has to work eventually.
Thanks for letting me know GG!!
@savypat (20216)
• United States
17 May 11
By leggings do you mean the stretchable kind? If so you may have a petrol based fabric and if bleach can not get the smell out it may not go. Try some soda, the kind you put into the frig to get rid of ordor. If that doesn't work these will make good tye ups out in the garden. Blessings
1 person likes this
@MagicalBubbles (5103)
• Canada
17 May 11
Yes the stretchable kind!! Other people have suggested baking soda, fabric softener and charcoal. So im going to try all of those. Then if the smell is still there, Im taking them back to the store. No way can I wear them if the smell wont go.
PS: I wouldnt use them in the garden as Id be afraid the food would have that bad taste in them haha!!
Thanks!
