Urgh - bought a dress on ebay and it STINKS of cat - best thing to wash it in?

[HouseOfBamboo]

It's denim so at least can be boil washed or something - any tips to get rid of the pong?

I've heard a tip to get rid of cat wee (when cats spray in the house) is using biological washing powder, but not sure if it's a cat wee smell that's the problem here?

Otherwise, not really sure what cats smell of...

I should add the biological powder is supposed to break down the proteins in the wee that make the smell.

Yes, bio wash powder should do it, if doesn't come out on first wash try again. I am v experienced with cat wee smells, unfortunatley have a cat that likes to wee on all kinds of stuff, grrrr

Thanks. Will try a pre-soak in that first. It's just a really strong animal smell - honestly it smells like it's been used to line the dog or cat basket.

I think there's also a bit of eau de fag smoke in there too.

It doesn't even smell like it's been washed since the last time it was worn, but it's the sort of smell that won't go away with just one cycle in the machine.

If it is cat pee it will be almost impossible to get rid of it.

I have a semi incontinent old cat.

One very embarrassing moment- she went on my top. Washed it (thought smell had gone- if it hasn't you can usually smell it as it is drying)

Wore it in a hot meeting room- kept thinking what is that smell- then realised it was me!

Grr - it is annoying. My own fault I suppose as the description didn't say it was from a pet and smoke free house.

Still, you don't expect things to absolutely reek. I've had dogs before and I don't think my clothes smelled that bad

Right it's in Biotex. The water's already gone brown, not sure if that's a good sign or not!

House of Bamboo,

We were sat in the vet's waiting room last Friday when a couple came in with a couple of Basset Hounds, quite middle-aged or elderly I would guess.

From across the other side of the room, I could smell these two dogs. They weren't unclean, just VERY VERY VERY doggy.

Never underestimate the power of scent.

The minute you walk into my MIL's house you can smell Labrador. She'd be mortified if she knew. She is spotless and the house is hygienic, it's just that her dog smells.

Mind you, the minute you walk into my house, you can usually, or, at least, I suspect you can, smell the cat litter tray. Will he wee and poo outside? Pah!

God yes dog smells can be as strong as cat smells, definitely. Our poor dog whiffed terribly when he got old, it was really grim.

I do think cat smells linger for longer on clothes though (maybe it's just that I can smell it better as I've never owned cats).

There's something about the cat/stale fag combo that really persists. Sadly this particular combo is on a child's dress too .

Cat wee smell has a particular unpleasantness about it. I guess it's the ammonia. I suppose it's a case that generally dogs don't wee inside, but they smell, and cats are more likely to wee inside, but don't actually have much of an odour otherwise.

Stale fags, now that's a lovely smell. I have a relative who lives abroad and smokes like a chimney. It even seems to seep through plastic bags and wrapping. Whenever we get sent stuff, it takes ages to get rid of the smell. Yuck.

I know, it's amazing how persistent stale smoke is. I've just smelt the brown paper the dress came in (glutton for punishment, me) - it reeks of fags.

Eeew!

So the big question is - are you going to mention it on the eBay feedback??!!

I don't know. Thing is the seller is fairly likely to take offence at me saying her kids' clothes stink, isn't she. But then she's a power seller so some of her stock may have come from somewhere else.

I don't want to get a neg back in a fit of pique - I can imagine her saying something like 'well I never promised you a garment that smelled of roses did I - read the description'. Or something less polite possibly.

It's a tough one - it was cheap (less than £3 inc postage) so I can't complain from that point of view. It's in crappy condition though (quite frayed and scuffed around the hem, which isn't clear from the pic and wasn't mentioned in the description).

I may drop her a note with an attempt at tact - saying something like I wanted to warn her that her 'supplier' was supplying her with smelly goods? Then just leave a positive but with a very neutral comment like 'garment arrived, thanks'.

Or am I just being a chicken?

For future reference, very weak milton fluid gets rid of most unsavoury smells including milky vomm-y and stinky wee-y ones. Has to be weak though obviously so it doesn't bleach.

Thank you - I'll add that to my list of treatments, I'm sure it'll be an ongoing process

Have just soaked in Biotex for about 3 hours. Is now soaking in bicarb of soda by way of variety...

Simbacat - sorry I've realised my post after yours sounded a bit rude as I was still in rant mode - didn't mean to ignore you.

Actually I can sympathise as I used to take my dog to work sometimes, and some fairly unsavoury smells could emanate from him at inconvenient moments...