Removing Smell from Vintage Baby Clothes.

Updated on September 30, 2008
O.M. asks from San Francisco, CA
10 answers

Hello Mamas! My dear dad came by today with a box of my old baby clothes, he's so wonderful! It was funny and great to see these tiny pieces of mine, especially coming full circle and having a baby girl of my own now. I was wondering if you all might have recommendations, tips, pointers for getting out that old smell. These pieces were stored in a trunk in a basement with other items some of which were damaged and thrown out. These seem all to be in really good condition with the exception of the yucky smell. Thanks very much!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I wanted to THANK all of you lovely Moms for such helpful advice. I've tried what was suggested but somehow that smell is still lingering on. I'm sure it will take a few more washes, so I will rinse and repeat. Hopefully I can get it out once and for all! Thanks again and have a wonderful week!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Try maybe a 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda along with your detergent with you laundry load to get rid of the smell.

I got that tip from my mom. It work when i went out of town and forgot a load of clothes in the wash.

Hope it helps

S. @ room 2 grow family childcare

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Wash them in Dreft with a little bit of baking soda added to the cycle, and then line dry them in the sun or laid out flat on a blanket/towel in the yard.
When my daughter was born, my mother also got out the baby clothes of mine that she had stored, and they were also "musty" - my mother suggested what I did above, and the clothes turned out perfectly.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Congratulations on your little girl. I recently had to get a musty smell out of some baby clothes and the only thing I could find that worked was Dettol - it's a strong scented British cleaning agent that can be used for laundry. You can find it at the Australian Products store on Stevens Creek - it costs about $10, I think. I washed the clothes with regular detergent and added a cap full of Dettol to the rinse cycle. I then dried the clothes in the dryer with a regular scented drier sheet. The clothes, at this point, no longer smelled musty...but they smelled a little like the Dettol. I then re-washed the clothes with baby detergent (Dreft or the like) and then dried with a scent free drier sheet...and the clothes smell fine now. I hope this helps you. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Try Bac-Out by Biokleen. It's made with Lime extract.

J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

A good washing with regular detergent ought to do it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.R.

answers from Sacramento on

I would put some baking soda in the washer with your regular soap and fabric softener. Let it agitate a minute to mix everything together and then let it soak for 15-30 minutes. I also do this with hubby's work clothes and our bath towels. It works great!
Sincerely,
L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi ZP

While the suggestions of the other mothers are really good ones I would caution you about using such strong detergents for your daughters clothes. At 5 months her skin is still so delicate and very sensitve.

I would suggest you use an infant detergent such as Ivory Snow or Dreft. These detergents are proven safe for her skin and will not only give the clothes a fresh smell they will also brighten the garments.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Try soaking in Oxyclean, then washing in soap and Oxyclean.
Good Luck...works for me...N.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Borax helps get smells out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I would try Oxy-Clean. The laudry additive you can get at Costco. It has gotten out the pet smels and must old, mildew smell out of some things I thought I would for sure have to throw out. It is great to add it to every load of laundry - it neutralizes smells and helps get out stains that you might miss getting spray on right away.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches