charity shopping - how do you get the smell out of the clothes?

[MrsLargeEmbodied]

any tips?
it seems to be ingrained
i am sure it isnt but how many times do i need to wash it

If the clothes smell you are shopping at the wrong charity shops

Hang on washing line early on a dry and sunny day when it’s windy.

You can soak clothing in a mixture of white vinegar and water, and then wash.
It works on sweat smells too, so perfect for football kits, running tops etc.

sounds good @BaronessBomburst

I wash and leave on the line for a day or two. Then wash again.

i always wash and hang on the line but might try the white vinegar method.
i am not sure what to say about wrong charity shop comment

Dettol laundry cleanser

Charity shop clothes shouldn't smell so I'd give that one a miss next time. We're very fussy over what is displayed and what is 'ragged' and those on the rails are clean, steamed and aired. Is it a musty, damp smell? Perhaps they aren't stored properly.

I've never noticed a smell. They steam clothes before they put them out for sale so there shouldn't be anything left after that?

i think it is the steamed smell

I get a lot of my clothes from charity shops and have never noticed that they smell, sometimes they might smell strongly of fabric conditioner or perfume but nothing that I would need to soak them in vinegar for.
Drying outside is probably the best thing if they smell musty.

Putting them in freezer is recommended, but I haven't tried it myself.

One of the charity shops here has a very cloying sweet flowery smell on the clothes - I assume likely a farbic conditioner but it's some kind of syntheic "nice" smell - but it has staying power.

Usually do a few washes and line drying but I may try white vinger as well.

Deffo try vinegar.
I buy the spray version and spray on the dry clothes and leave it. Then wash.

I have never been in a charity shop that doesn't have a very particular musty sort of smell..my mil is a huge fan of browsing in them so I've been to lots all over the place.

It's not a smell I like so I always wash & air fabrics if I buy or am given them.

The books have that smell too.

It doesn't put me off but I do notice it. I love buying 1920 / 30s glassware & have a lovely collection which my lovely mil has added to by finding treasures on her trips

Yes, I've had this and it's a musty smell. Unfortunately it's a leather jacket I've struggled with. Dry cleaning did nothing. Can't soak it in vinegar though!

Not all charity shops steam their clothing.
I volunteer in a charity shop and we do get some donations that smell awful and they are ragged.

@SilverHairedCat

Yes, I've had this and it's a musty smell. Unfortunately it's a leather jacket I've struggled with. Dry cleaning did nothing. Can't soak it in vinegar though!

Unfortunately, on a leather jacket it will be black mould causing the smell. If you unpick the lining you will see it on the inside of the jacket.

@SilverHairedCat

Yes, I've had this and it's a musty smell. Unfortunately it's a leather jacket I've struggled with. Dry cleaning did nothing. Can't soak it in vinegar though!

Try putting it in a plastic bag with crumpled up newspaper and lots of dried-out coffee grounds balled up in old tights for a few days. I did this when I bought a bag from a smoker (didn't know this bit until it arrive). I also added a few cedar balls.

I was going to say Halo sports wash , but its been discontinued , but googling an alternative I spotted this . www.homecareessentials.co.uk/product/hg-detergent-additive-against-unpleasant-odours-in-sports-clothing-500g?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxtSSBhDYARIsAEn0thRBla1YVQoqtb2lFoEyjegMbpQ4ytsqxjY_8I6JDalnhMxsF8uwI78aArh5EALw_wcB

Soak and wash with white vinegar
Chuck some bicarbonate soda in wash machine
Line dry

Works on very smelly vintage clothes