Thread: body odor + costumes

I did a search and didn't find anything specific for body odor left on a costume so I need help. I am a seasoned costume cleaner and have been able to lift everything from perfume, smoke, greek food, etc out of costumes but I have a lycra costume that just won't let go of the smell.

I have washed this costume and given it several vodka treatments but the odor is still there - it's not as strong but it's still there.

Is there a secret agent trick I'm missing? I really want to wear this but I'd rather not smell like someone elses sweat.

Thanks bhuzzers!

when I get really desperate & even the vodka won't work (now there's a phrase I never thought I'd compose!) Fabreze actually works for me- just be careful around sequins & metalic beads & as usual, test in an inconspicuous location first.

ozium spray might help. Test it, first.

does ozium have a residual smell at all? i'm incredibly allergic to all sorts of smells/life in general (hehe) and need an unscented product.

thanks for your suggestions so far :)

Or hanging outside in the fresh air for several days.
Burning incense underneath the costume is another trick.
I have successfully used little bundles of baking soda tied up in a cloth bag, plus several drops of lavender oil on cotton balls scattered around inside the bra cups, belt area, etc. Put the baking soda bags and the costume with the lavender cotton balls into an airtight container for 3 days.

There is an amazing spray called "Atmosclear" - most botique-y pet shops have it. It is natural it claims, but I don't know what is in it. I revived some workout clothing that I would have otherwise had to toss out. Stuff is amazing and doesn't bleed color.

Surreyya

Originally Posted by dunyah

Or hanging outside in the fresh air for several days.
Burning incense underneath the costume is another trick.
I have successfully used little bundles of baking soda tied up in a cloth bag, plus several drops of lavender oil on cotton balls scattered around inside the bra cups, belt area, etc. Put the baking soda bags and the costume with the lavender cotton balls into an airtight container for 3 days.

this one is beyond fresh air ;)

i'm also super allergic to fragrances/incense but i will try the baking soda bundles for sure!

I had a lycra costume that wouldn't release the odor once. The only thing that worked was Nature's Secret--used for removing pet urine smells from furniture, etc. It's an enzyme. You can find it in most pet stores. Saturate, then let dry in the fresh air. It took a couple of treatments, but it eventually worked for me.

Have you tried using kitty litter?

You mean in little bags like the baking soda treatment?

Maybe try aquarium charcoal tied up in little bags and placed inside your costume.

If you find something that works, please post your solution. I also have a costume that I bought a couple of years ago that has this issue. It fits perfectly and looks great, but I've worn it only the one time because of that problem. (It wasn't all that noticeable until my body heat warmed up the fabric.)

I've tried Fabreeze and something called "Nature's Miracle" (from the pet store) with no success. I've also stored it with Odor Eaters against the problem areas, but that hasn't made a difference. (Mine is velvet, though, and not lycra.)

Honestly, some poly costumes I have gotten that have been made in India or Pakistan have a dreadful odor...not a natural body funk, but a wicked nose hair disolving chemical smell. Washing in detergent helps.

Originally Posted by dunyah

You mean in little bags like the baking soda treatment?

Sorry, I should have been more clear - get a plastic container and a bag of kitty litter. Fill the box halfway with kitty litter and put the costume on top. Let it sit for a week or 2.

Searching the forum for smelly costumes turns up a ton of results! Here are a few other threads too -
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...-costumes.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/rest-belly...ench-help.html
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/rest-belly...-costumes.html

Ah, Anya asked the question at a very right moment. I did a two-minute drum solo at a fair on Sunday, and that was enough for my galabeya to soak up the barbeque smoke! Vodka didn't help, now I am expecting to go through your suggestions post by post until I stop smelling like a roast pig!

I find that sun bleaching will take out just about any smell. It has to be placed (inside-out to prevent fading) in a spot that will be nailed will full sun for several hours. This might need to be repeated for several days, but the exposure to glaring sun and UV rays is key to the deodourizing process.

I bought a costume here once that has the same problem. It stank so bad that as soon as I opened the box, I jumped away from it. Just having it in my dance studio caused the whole room to smell.

I tried Febreeze, Vodka/Water, hanging it out, as well as gentle hand-washing.

It still has a vague smell but that could just be my memories. Anyway, I still can't bring myself to wear it. And I'm pissed at the seller for not mentioning it in her ad. "Well-worn" means a few sequins off, a broken zipper - NOT SMELLY.

i have been either using fabreeze or steaming my costumes. i recently purchased a deoderizing spray FRESH AGAIN Deodorant Sprays. i will let you know how well it works once it is shipped to me.

I'm going to "come clean" here. I am a completely insane costume washer. I have done this with Sims, Bellas, you name it. I just stick the lycra babies (and heavy velvet covered bras and belts, and beads, and swarovskis and fringe and all) in my bathtub in cold water with a healthy "serving" of detergent (yes, just regular laundry detergent) and let that puppy soak for 30-40 minutes. Then I lightly swish, run under cool water to rinse, and then I wrap them in heavy towels for an hour to absorb moisture. After that, I put them in front of a box fan set to high and let them dry. I have done this with every single costume I own that I've worn more than 2 or 3 times, and with all the used ones I've bought, and have never had a problem.

In my opinion, just like dry cleaning can't ever seem to get out body odors (yes, I wash all my dry clean only stuff, too...I HATE body odor), neither can febreeze or any other fabric "freshener"

Originally Posted by maariku

Ah, Anya asked the question at a very right moment. I did a two-minute drum solo at a fair on Sunday, and that was enough for my galabeya to soak up the barbeque smoke! Vodka didn't help, now I am expecting to go through your suggestions post by post until I stop smelling like a roast pig!

Similar problem:

I purchased a L. Rose dress on EBAY and it smells like fried chicken or whatever. I am reconstructing it into something fabulous, but need to get the smell out. It must of been sitting around for awhile. For the amount I paid for it, who cares. Ha!

Thanks for these tips, because I have to try something besides washing it a million times.

Just a query - if it's the bra, can the lining be taken out and washed or replaced. I recently bought a secondhand Egyptian made costume and although very clean smelling, the inside looked a bit grubby. I had to unpick the halter neck strap to adjust it and didn't realise at first that I'd also unpicked some of the stitches that attached the lining to the bra. I was a bit scared about it, but decided to continue and the lining has come away so I can replace it. I'm actually really pleased as I've been able to see how the bra is constructed too. But maybe not all bras have a separate lining.
,r:;

If the Lrose dress is velvet then it is machine washable. Turn it inside out.

I tried the kitty litter/newspaper on top in plastic container for a costume I bought on Ebay that was represented as having no odor but reeked of mildew (ugh). It helped a lot.

Changing the lining on your bra and belts is almost obligatory. If you are trying to get an odor out, the first thing to do is pull the lining, then launder, etc, allow plenty of time to dry and reline.

I, too, have bought costumes which reeked so badly that I couldn't take them out of the box for months. Ciggies, perfume, body odor. It was enough to make me gag. 3 months later, I finally was able to open the box long enough to toss it into the sink with a cold water wash. There was no way I was even going to be able to resell it in the condition it was in!

{{{HUGS}}}

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Souzan

If the Lrose dress is velvet then it is machine washable. Turn it inside out.

I just soaked it overnight in some detergent, we will see how well that works after it dries.

Unfortunately, it isn't velvet. It isn't purple like the listing said, it is burgundy. If it doesn't work it will go right to my mother who can get smells and stains off of anything. ..l;,

Well it worked! Soaking it overnight that is, well it was more like 24 hours. I used Gain and not sure if that matters. Probably an amount enough for one load, and placed it in a bucket.

It smells wonderful!

Bumpin' this thread up! Anya, did you ever get the smell out? If so, what worked? Just encountered the same problem with a new costume ....

Originally Posted by aazura

I had a lycra costume that wouldn't release the odor once. The only thing that worked was Nature's Secret--used for removing pet urine smells from furniture, etc. It's an enzyme. You can find it in most pet stores. Saturate, then let dry in the fresh air. It took a couple of treatments, but it eventually worked for me.

I just eliminated pee from our car seat with Natures Miracle it sounds like the same stuff and works wonders!

Nature's Miracle - Home

I'm allergic to a ton of fragrances too... I can verify that Nature's Miracle works very well for odors. I've gotten cat pee smells out of the carpet with it and bad odors out of the lining of a bedlah with it. It comes in a bottle, but I shake it up and put some in a spray bottle to make it easier to apply without soaking an item. Let it air out in your home or outside.

I've also had success storing a pair of endless wave pants in an airtight container with a couple laundry sheets for a week, then aired it out... not a single bit of ooky body smell.

Let this be a lesson to you ladies who don't take care of your costumes post performance... please, please, PLEASE air out your costumes after a show before putting them away!!!