Smelly comforters :(

[laurapintor(aka.Maggie)]

Our son left 2 comforters outside for 2 weeks.  They got rained on a few times and now they stink!  I washed them with detergent and Borax, then detergent with an 'off brand' oxi-clean.  Both times I used vinegar  in the rinse water.  They still reek!     Any tips are greatly appreciated!  TIA~

ETA:  I don't have a dryer, so each time they were washed, I hung them out in the sunshine.

[Melissa]

You might want to add a little bleach to the water. I know this might affect the color, but if you dilute it well and make sure it is mixed in the water before you add the comforters they might not fade much.

[solargeek]

Before you try bleach or anything else harsh, you might want to try hot water and baking soda and believe it or not, softener sheets unscented. I would soak them in that in a bathtub or something close to your washing machine or in the washing machine. Run a rinse cycle to get the baking soda out before you put detergent in again. Of course take out the softener sheets also. Otherwise it will be like an "I love Lucy" episode where the bubbles come flooding out of the washer.

Baking soda softens all particles clinging to most anything. I learned about combining softener sheets with baking soda at a cooking event at which the chef made A famous Brazilian dish, ropa vieja, and ruined all of his pans. But he showed us that he put the pans and the softener sheets baking soda and boiling hot water into a cooler and let the pan soak overnight and literally everything comes off. No smell no stain no char.

Works on clothes too.

[laurapintor(aka.Maggie)]

Thanks for the tips! I'll be going shopping this weekend
Tallpines, No family heirlooms here, lol.

[comfortablynumb]

Just burn them.

[here to stay]

My problem with mold and mildew is not that I can't have immediate success with removing the smell but that any exposure to damp, even humidity, causes an immediate return. And that things. stored next to the mildewed item also developed the problem..

I had a 1920s overstuffed sofa that had a mildewed smell about it. I tried all the suggested remedies I could find. But all worked but none held. The smell always returned until I had it recovered and asked to have all the batting replaced before recovering.

[Cabin Fever]

Lay them more or less flat so they directly face the sunlight. You can place them on lawn chairs or a picnic table for this. Or, over the top of your clothesline. Be creative. Just don't lay them flat on the ground.

Do this for several days, flipping occasionally to allow the sun to directly shine on both sides of the comforters.

[themotherhen]

I second bleach and a hot dryer. I have battled mold several times and that combination was the only thing that worked.

[Deleted]

laurapintor(aka.Maggie) , any updates? Were you able to get the smell off? I have washed a lot of uggg stuff off my kiddo's clothes- damp blankets from bed-wetting at night, vomit off dress pants and even shoes, tons and tons of baby poop since I cloth diaper. I always just use Tide powder (the original orange one) and make sure I set it on a heavy agitation cycle. I also make sure to add a rough textured cloth like a towel so that the soiled garment(s) can rub against while being washed in there. Stuff has always come out good. Sometimes with cloth diapers there is sediment left behind if I don't rinse it beforehand, in which case I add it to a second wash cycle with low agitation and an extra rinse cycle. All those combined always have done the trick for me. I have a hyper sense of smell, these things I take out and am able to put them right up to my nose and take a big whiff. Never a bad smell left. Hoping to hear what worked for you in case I have something in the future that doesn't wash off I can use your tip for

[laurapintor(aka.Maggie)]

Well, I tried many of the ideas. After I used the ammonia, I thought it worked. But, a few days later the smell was back. This was after laying them out in the sun for a few days.
We now have a donation for the local animal shelter.

[Deleted]

Lol, thanks for the update. Great idea to re-use it for another cause though