Remove Bad Odor from Cotton Quilt?

Question

My friend has a cotton quilt that was made in China. She says it has a bad odor to it. She's washed it several times, but the smell is still there.

Could it be the batting or maybe chemicals from China? How can you remove this odor? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Im with befuddled, also you can use with it too, Oxy wash.

Answer 2

She could try some baking soda in the wash. I've had this work for me before.  I'm not sure if it would work or not, but it wouldn't hurt to try Febreeze. Try it on a small part of the quilt first to make sure it won't stain it or anything, although I've never had it stain anything before. If she has washed it and it still smells, I agree that it might have mildew inside.  I don't know how intricate this blanket is, but she could possibly consider removing the batting and replacing it with new. If it is possible to seperate the top and bottom of the quilt without damaging the fabric, I would seriously consider this as an option. I really hope she gets the smell out.

If all else fails, take it to a dry cleaner and see what they would suggest. Good luck!

Answer 3

First try putting it in a air tight container with a cup of white vinger in the container with it [in a cup or something].  Let it set for several days.  I have used that to get the smell of cig. smoke out of things that can not washed.  I have also used white vinger on carpets to take out the nasty order of dog and cat waste.  

If that doesn't take the smell out, try washing it in the white vinger [test a small part to make sure it won't discolor, I have never had it discolored anything before but there is always a first time]

The only thing wrong with using the vinger, is your item will NOW have the vinger smell BUT a good airing outside on the line will take that smell right on out.

PS I just got some blouses that had a meldow stain and water stains all over them. Since they were 100% cotton, I soak them first in warm [never hot] water with oxey in it.  That removed all the water stains and almost all the meldow.  I then sent them through a cold rinse and mixed a small pail of about 2 gal Warm water and 2 cups pure bleach.  I worked them 1 at a time in the bleach [no longer than 2 min.] Had the washer full of warm water and took them right out of the bleach into the washer.  Once I got all the blouse down I dumped the bleach water in the washer alone with reg. soap.  I did over 50 blouses in the past week and didn't lose a one!  I know have ventage blouses that apear to be brand new!  Hope this helps someone else.

Answer 4

as dumb as this sounds, dump alot of hydrogen peroxide on it. Somehow it removes anything. or burn it. just kidding... ar even try using a high pressure water cannon to do it

Answer 5

I'd think it might depend on what the odor was from.  "Natural" odors like mildew, bacteria, etc., can be removed with exposure to lots of sunlight and breeze, and some can  be removed by just putting the item in the freezer long enough to kill the organisms (like smelly shoes).

If it's a "chemical" smell, I'd first try leaving it outdoors in the sun and air to see if it just needs to outgas (if it's outside long, be sure and rotate the area exposed to the sun so the fading of any fugutive dyes would be even).  

After that I'd try the vinegar-solution wash and/or soap wash,

(and I heard that an ammonia-solution wash can work too, but be sure not to mix that with bleach).  

Or perhaps I'd enclose it in an airtight box or bag along with some activated charcoal, aquarium charcoal, or plain kitty litter (some people suggest actually burying smelly abosorbent items in plain kitty litter for several days).

If none of those things worked, I'd probaby take the quilt back since it may be a health hazard to breathe all night long, etc.... I think most stores are now aware enough of the uncertainties of chemicals, etc., from China that they'd take it back even if it had been washed, particularly if you insisted on speaking to a manager, etc.

Diane B.

Answer 6

The batting may have mildew, which is almost impossible to get out.  The best way to get mildew out of anything is with chlorine bleach, which unfortunately will strip the colors out of the quilt.