How to get the smell of someone else's detergent out of your clothes

[CTW23]

I lent some kids clothes to a friend for their holiday and they've been returned clean but smell so strongly of their detergent (or maybe fabric softener or scent or something)

I have tried washing twice and soaking in white vinegar but the smell is still there. It's strong and not to my taste (my friend doesn't smell like this!). It's very flowery

Thanks!

It washes out eventually. We have a kind friend who loves her scented fabric softener and sometimes gives us hand-me-downs for the kids. I reckon it takes about 3 washes (and being worn hard in between) before it wears off. Probably your friend overdid it because she wanted to make sure you knew she'd washed everything (for some people, not smelling bad isn't enough, it has to reek of detergent or it doesn't count!)

air it outside for a day or so
sprinkle some bicarb on it for a couple of days then shake off

OMG I always seem to have this problem when I buy from eBay.
I think I have a sensitive sense of smell.

Totally agree! I even aired outside and it didn't help! I'll keep washing! Thanks x

Do they still fit your children id let them wear some of it even around the house just do they are worn and then rewash.

I think the over smelly is probably those scent boosters which are horrible and last forever, I binned the ones I bought and I have sheets that still smell.

I agree with full circle of washing out, drying outside and then doing it again.I suppose some garments are more absorbent than others. I would make sure you drying it out on a windy day.

I hate this so much with second hand clothes, not just the unpleasant smell but some chemical in them makes me sneeze like I just walked past a Lush shop! Lots of washing does tone it down eventually, plus a stint out in the rain for extra rinsing followed by long fresh air drying.

I sometimes wash clothes with baking soda in the cycle. Not sure if it's good for the machine but it takes smell out of clothes.

Send your children out for a day trip to Ypres in the pouring rain looking round the trenches while wearing the clothing.
said clothing will return smelling so utterly, vomit-inducingly, foully sweaty that it will completely overwhelm the washing powder 😂

That's a great idea! 😂

So I tried bicarbonate soak last night and 2 washes today (1 at 60degrees) and smell still there. This is madness! What did she wash it in?!

I would try some soda crystals or Napisan in the next wash.