Thrift store smell

[celyn100]

I don't know if thrift stores are doing something different, or if my nose has gotten more sensitive with age, but I'm having a horrible time getting the "thrift store smell" out of clothes that I buy there (multiple chains, multiple stores

Comments

Vodka?

[robespierrette]

I don't know - I'm figuring that smell is some kind of mothball/disinfectant type stuff . . . it reminds me of my grandmother's closet. If it is chemical, it might be more tenacious than organic smells like sweat or tobacco.

My friend in Hollywood used to clean costumes with cheap vodka in a spritzer bottle (this is the easy, non-floral-scented version of Febreze). Her main concern was that, by contract, all costumes had to be cleaned between shooting days, and most of the clothes - quite a few of which were from thrift stores - wouldn't hold up to constant laundering (and who has the time between 12 midnight and 6am, anyway?). She said it really took the smells out.

It shouldn't damage most fibers, and it's worth a shot . . .?

Re: Vodka?

[celyn100]

That reminds me that I have most of a bottle of Fabreez left from my trip to Japan (figured I'd need it to deal with cigarette smoke). I'll give that a try. Once or twice I've used vodka for treating jackets after an evening clubbing . (Un)fortunately, the vodka gets drunk and it's usually not around when I need it.

[opadit]

A few thoughts come to mind: Is your vinegar old? Would you be willing to use a regular chlorine bleach with the whites? Try adding baking soda with your detergent? Use more detergent? Add a water softener? Turn up the water heater's thermostat and use hot water?

[celyn100]

I never buy anything white ;) so bleach is out and I usually run thrift store clothes through on hot. I'll give the baking soda a try.

[opadit]

nose has gotten more sensitive

Could be something you're still experiencing post-pregnancy. I still can't tolerate raw broccoli and other dark, bitter vegetables -- makes me gag.

Please let me know if the baking soda works!