Sour odor on stored bed sheets?

Question

My linens were washed, then stored. Now they have a sour smell that won't go away even after multiple washes with good detergents, fabric softener and dryer sheets. Hate to throw out good bed sheets. Any tips?

Answer 1

I agree with the notion that they might have sat damp for too long, and using bleach or Oxyclean (if possible). I would also use a tad of lemon juice in the wash water and let them dry in the sun.

Answer 2

Use one of the methods that others suggested here, but also dry them on a clothes line in the sun if possible. They should smell fine after that.  Nothing better smelling that a clean sheet just off the line.

Answer 3

Wash them in HOT water and if you they are white or ivory color I would also bleach them.  That should take out the smell.  If the hot water doesn't work, then the bleach will.

Answer 4

When storing them, place a new dryer sheet between each of them. Also, place the vented box of baking soda in the cupboard that you use to store them. They'll stay fresh for a long time. Good luck

Answer 5

They probably sat in teh washer too long between washign and drying. My washer/dryer are outside and if I let more than two hours or so pass with them out there between the two they get soured. If they arent rewashed immediately they stay soured.

Try using OxyClean. NOT generic I cant ever get them to work right but the brand name one DOES the trick. :)

Answer 6

Wash them with the regular amount of detergent and add a cup of baking soda.  When washer is done, hang the sheets outside to dry.  Mmmm, smells good!

Answer 7

Wash them once more only add anywhere from 1/4 of a cup to a full cup of baking soda along with your detergent. Any lingering smell will be gone and they will smell just like your detergent. I've had to do this about a million times and it hasn't failed me yet.