Anyone know how to get bad laundry detergent smell out of clothing?

[Shallah Kali]

I was given some very nice clothes from someone who uses horrendous laundry detergent or dryer sheets that make my throat sore. I tried hanging them outside for several days before washing them with baking soda and my unscented detergent only to find they *still* reek :(

[LeftyMom]

1. Three options:

1. Vinegar rinse

2. Google "strip wash" and you'll find instructions (probably on cloth diapering sites) for removing built-up detergent

3. Put some Simple Green in the wash. That stuff will remove pretty much anything, in my experience.

[Shallah Kali]

7. Hi is vinegar safe for delicate fabric?

Most of the clothing I was given is synthetic delicate wash items. Also am I right in assuming you mean white vinegar not apple cider?

Oh I found an article on strip washing diapers: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/193285/how_to_strip_cloth_diapers.html

I am out of simple green and maybe the white vinegar but will try that if the vinegar does not work. I agree it is great stuff plus whatever it is made of never gagged me, gave me a sore throat or a headache when using it!

[LeftyMom]

12. It's probably gentler than the detergent they've picked up the stink from.

[flvegan]

2. Add 8 oz. of Odoban to the wash.

[Captain Hilts]

3. 2nd rinse. And don't use fabric softener or those weird things people throw in dyers. nt

[Shallah Kali]

6. I never use fabric softener or dryer sheets. They make me gag.

I mostly air dry stuff but when I do use a dryer I would rather put up with static cling than the fumes of whatever toxic chemicals they are made up of.

Oh a did do a pre wash and extra rinse cycle but it did not help that time.

[Jade Fox]

4. Try soaking in water with vineagar....

overnight in the washing machine before starting the wash cycle. A couple of cups of vinegar for a full load.

This worked on something with nasty mildew smell from being packed away for years.

[Shallah Kali]

10. Hi I will try that next

normally a bit of borax or backing soda with the usual unscented detergent gets the ick out of anything when i clean but it failed me this time. I just need to check that it is safe for delicate synthetic fabrics. These are nice clothes and I don't want to bleach out the colors or ruin them trying to make them usable for me.

[NNadir]

5. Take them down to the Gulf of Mexico and rinse them in the waters. I assure you they will smell

like something else, probably benzene.

[RagAss]

8. Onion Farts.

[carlyhippy]

13. ewww LOL n/t

[Blue-Jay]

9. No easy fix. More washing, and more hanging outside.

You might even have more luck hanging the clothes out in the rain one or twice.

[badgerpup]

11. Sometimes silk smells fishy...

:hi:
I've tried the vinegar etc....
End up putting it in a bag with several cedar sachets.

I'll try the baking soda wash.

Kind of embarrassing...I don't always think before I speak...
"That's a silk _________ you're wearing, isn't it."
"Why yes it is! How can you tell?"
"I can smell it..."

:crazy: