Removing Thrift Shop Smell on Clothes

[AmelieinOz]

You know that smell - old, stale? How do you get that out of clothes?

I got a vintage leather jacket on eBay. It was very cheap, so I put it in the washing machine (2 cycles) and then dryer (1 cycle). It wasn't ruined, smell lessened but it's still there.

Any suggestions how to remove the smell? Read somewhere it being described as "smell of poverty".

You put leather in the washing machine?

But leather smells bad anyway, often if it 's brand new. White vinegar is good for neutralising smells though. Wipe it with that and afterwards ess. oil of lavender to stop it drying out.

I had a leather handbag with the same issue. A combination of hanging it outside on a windy day and cLeaning it with wizz leather cleaner from pound world did the trick

Leather in a washing machine

The smell mat we'll be coming from the lining. Turn it inside out and leave it outdoors in the sun - perhaps spray with diluted lavender oil (and might zoflora help?)

Or if nowhere to put it outside, leave it right way round and sprinkle inside with bicarb, leave for a while and then shake out.

If stubborn, it might be worth trying a trainer tamer product.

Yeah, I googled and apparently some do it. I figured I didn't have so much to lose since I got the jacket quite cheap. It's also way too big so shrinkage is very desirable to me.

The leather is fine. It's just the smell of the attic/basement/thrift shop is still there.

I'll be leaving it outdoors tomorrow. However it's always raining here. :(

So it's the liner that smells? Probably it's synthetic so difficult to get really smell free. The white vinegar works and doesn't leave a vinegary smell honest .

It's genuine leather. The liner is silky. I don't really know what the liner is, I don't know much about fabric but doesn't seem polyester.

So if I use vinegar, do I dilute it?

The smell is similar to the smell of old stuff/clothes.

at 'the smell of poverty'

Just take it to the dry cleaners like a normal person.

Coastingit - that's what a blog described it. Not my words.

Also, I was quoted $150 for cleaning. The jacket costs $17. So uhm, no.

I mean, that's how (not what) a blog described it.

Why on earth would you repeat such an awful phrase?

Bicarbonate of soda is very good for removing odours, put the jacket in a bag with a tub of bicarbonate that you've stabbed a pencil in the sides a few times and tie the bag up the leave it for a week.

Specific pet odour removing spray is very good for this type of thing, Mr Muscle do one which you can get on Amazon .

The tub of bicarbonate of soda in a sealed bag is what I was going to suggest along with some cat litter. I collect vintage clothing and I have had to do this quite often. Hanging outside (inside out and out of direct sunlight) is best, weather permitting.

Probably not best for leather but fabric conditioner always works for me.

You can water down fabric conditioner in a spray bottle which works well or use a product like Oust.

Febreeze works well.

Thanks everyone! I will definitely try the bicarbonate soda and the watered down fabric conditioner trick. I sprayed some cleaning vinegar on the lining last night, and today it smells vintage and kind of...sweetish?

Dry shampoo then brush off.

Amelie Sorry I missed your post You mix the white vinegar with very hot water in a cup half and half. and brush it on with a toothbrush.