Get Musty Smells and Mold Out of Clothes and Dolls

"(I am very sensitive to fragrant laundry soaps) How do I remove the strong fragrance out of clothes even when re-washed in an unscented laundry soap? How do I remove musty smells out of fabrics and items (dolls)"

Our Answer:

Hi Mary! Thank you for your question.

Oh yes, many of us face this issue as we bring seasonal clothes out from storage, old sleeping bags, and even keepsake items such as treasured dolls! I, too, have experienced this same issue, so I am more than happy to share what has worked for me!

A musty smell *could* be a sign of mold, so first check for black or dark brown mold spots. If you do see these spots, immediately take the articles outside and using a butter knife, gently scrape the excess out into an area far from your house. Be careful not to breathe in the mold spores!

Next, place your clothes in your washing machine and use 1/2 cup - 1 cup (depending on the size of your washing machine) of baking soda to the wash cycle. I recommend allowing the water to fill, then let the clothes soak in the baking soda water, allowing the soda to absorb the odors.

THEN, during the rinse cycle, do the same thing as above, except use 1/2 cup - 1 cup of white vinegar and allow to soak once your washing machine fills with rinse water.

White vinegar is fantastic for killing any mold and safely deodorizing any area in your home. It is (along with baking soda), very safe for the environment and safe for those of us with fragrance sensitivities (such as allergies or pregnancy). Baking soda and vinegar also make awesome color brighteners!

Try drying the item the old fashioned way: out in the fresh air! Sunshine kills mold and will surely remove any remaining odors. Just be careful not to allow items to be in the sun TOO long after it dries as the sun can actually bleach your items.

As for dolls, this is much trickier as they vary greatly. Check for tags that give laundering advice first and follow those. You could try airing out the dolls in the sunshine for a few hours, but do be careful not to leave them outside for too long due to the risk of bleaching from the sun. If there are no tags, and you are not willing to risk washing your doll (for example, you plan to show your doll, or it is an antique), consult your local dry cleaning service to see if they can clean your dolls for you.

Thank you again for your question. Best of luck!

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