How to get smell of fish out of clothes?!

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

DS was fishing and using mackerel as bait. Or so he says. His clothes smell like he's literally rolled around in it 🤢

I've washed them twice now with bio detergent and lots of Dettol laundry cleanser. This has never let me down before even with the stinkiest sports gear. But this fishy smell just won't come out!

Any tips or tricks that work?

Hang them outside even if it's raining?

Mackerel is very oily so you will need something to combat that & break up the oil if it’s stuck in the clothes. I always end up with clothes stinking of fish because of my job but I’ve never had problem with just doing a normal ‘intensive’ wash at 40 with normal biological gel pods. I’m using Ariel at the moment. I just don’t out too much in so it washes thoroughly.

…..i am slightly concerned I may still
smell but it’s just me that can’t detect the ‘l’eau de poisson ’ now though after this !

Not sure whether it would work, but maybe Napisan would do the trick? I usually put this in for staining tho, but might be worth a try.

My early morning eyes thought you said Napalm. Maybe...

Fresh air and sunshine

In my experience, nothing 🤢

DH fishes and I used to work on a fish counter - the smell seems permanently attach itself to the fabric 🙈

Once a heavy smoker gave me some clothes she was getting rid of. They smelled like a chimney and I have a sensitive nose.

• wash clothes
• hang them in direct sunlight (preferably outside)
• while they are just out of the wash (ie still wet), spray Febreeze onto each side. Absolutely drown the clothes
• Allow to dry
• repeat until smell is gone (for me it took 3 goes)

In retrospect I should have just dumped my stuff, but a couple of things were just too lovely to get rid of! Good luck with your fishy gear 😁

If it's the oiliness, would Elbow Grease degreaser spray help? Can be used on fabrics.
I find Halo sports wash the best for stinky gym gear, not sure how it copes with mackerel!

Outside in direct sunlight for several days.

You need a massive bucket and some proper green Fairy liquid. Make some very hot very very soapy water and leave them to soak overnight, then put outside, rinse with hose and hang up to dry for 24 hours in the sun light.

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately they have been hung out to dry in lovely warm sunshine after both washes (once overnight) and that didn't help! I can't see any oil stains or anything but I think maybe I'll try soaking them in washing up liquid overnight and then put through the wash again and add white vinegar? At this stage I'd be inclined to just bin them but both items are relatively new and he likes them so I'd rather try one more time to save them! I've told him to wear a hazmat suit next time

Can you not just relegate them to fishing gear rather than throwing them away?

DH's fishing stuff permanently whiffs of fish but he just washes it as normal and stores it in the shed/garage/anywhere that's not my house

Yes we will but he actually really likes the shorts & tshirt so I'd love him to be able to wear them again. Of course if we can't get the smell out I'll tell him just to keep them for fishing and stay well away from him when he's wearing them