Thread: B.O. In used costuming

What are some ways to get the BO out of used costumes? I just got a new to me used one and it is RANK! I can't wash it like normal because it has sparkle fabric with some pleeting.

There's a new article on my web site about this: Removing Odors from Smelly Belly Dance Costumes

Hmm I think I'll try the baking soda and lavender, thanks Shira! What do we think about oregano oil? It is a BO in the under arm area on the bra.

Originally Posted by Ahmber

What do we think about oregano oil?

Nononononononooooooooo!

Unless you plan to give the whole thing to me once you learn how hard it is to get oil stains out of fabric.

I googled it a bit but still say no....not until you've exhausted other methods.

Ha! Okay baking soda and lavender it is!

Originally Posted by *Shira*

There's a new article on my web site about this: Removing Odors from Smelly Belly Dance Costumes

Nice site!

Do these threads make anyone else paranoid that the costumes you're selling might have odors that you're somehow immune to?

I mean, I imagine that the people who sell the BO costumes just don't smell it, or surely they'd try to remove it BEFORE the sale, right? So... how can I trust that I'm able to smell mine?

Maybe I should have a disinterested sniffer check every costume pre-sale just to be sure.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Do these threads make anyone else paranoid that the costumes you're selling might have odors that you're somehow immune to?

I mean, I imagine that the people who sell the BO costumes just don't smell it, or surely they'd try to remove it BEFORE the sale, right? So... how can I trust that I'm able to smell mine?

Maybe I should have a disinterested sniffer check every costume pre-sale just to be sure.

Wondered the same thing. Will also have a disinterested sniffer check pre-sale.

We definitely get used to certain smells. I make soap, and have it curing in my front porch. Anytime anyone comes into my house they say how nice it smells, but I honestly don't smell it anymore unless I'm holding the stuff to my nose. So sure, I'm sure it's the same with stinky stuff!

I use a spray of half vodka and half water after each wear on my own costumes and also on used costumes I buy from others. Don't use straight-up essential oils on your costumes - they will stain for sure. (Though, you can add a touch to the vodka/water solution). I've heard Febreeze works well too.

Does no one line their costumes with a removable liner to help with problems like this? I don't remember where I got that, but that is one of the first things I learned years ago when I started bellydance before I bought my first costume. I buy tan colored felt squares in the craft dept at Wal-Mart, cut pieces to fit in my costumes, then safety pin them down. You could also hand-sew them down with a few easy stitches, but the safety pins have never come undone on me. That catches the majority of sweat and stuff, and then you can wash or toss it and tack in a new lining.

I'm betting my instructor then told me this, and HER instructor is Petite Jamilla in Birmingham, AL. I'm supposing that's where my instructor got the idea from.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Do these threads make anyone else paranoid that the costumes you're selling might have odors that you're somehow immune to?

I mean, I imagine that the people who sell the BO costumes just don't smell it, or surely they'd try to remove it BEFORE the sale, right? So... how can I trust that I'm able to smell mine?

Maybe I should have a disinterested sniffer check every costume pre-sale just to be sure.

With the costume I bought that has this issue, the smell isn't all that noticeable (unless you put the underarm area of the bra right up close to your nose) UNTIL you wear the costume and it warms up. Then it's very noticeable. ..c:: I've had no luck with either Febreeze or with Nature's Miracle (pet odour remover). I haven't tried vodka yet, though.

Anyway, I do think it's entirely possible for a vendor not to notice without specifically checking for this problem. So, yes, if/when I sell any of my costumes, I will definitely be checking for this. I do try to line my costumes with fabric cut from old t-shirts, and hopefully doing so makes this issue less likely to happen.

Originally Posted by Darbla

Does no one line their costumes with a removable liner to help with problems like this? I don't remember where I got that, but that is one of the first things I learned years ago when I started bellydance before I bought my first costume. I buy tan colored felt squares in the craft dept at Wal-Mart, cut pieces to fit in my costumes, then safety pin them down. You could also hand-sew them down with a few easy stitches, but the safety pins have never come undone on me. That catches the majority of sweat and stuff, and then you can wash or toss it and tack in a new lining.

I'm betting my instructor then told me this, and HER instructor is Petite Jamilla in Birmingham, AL. I'm supposing that's where my instructor got the idea from.

[I]Exactly! To elaborate, I was taught this this by Aida Al Adawi, one of my teachers right before I "went pro" and worked in clubs. On her advice, I lined the bras of my costumes with felt or even terry to absorb sweat and prevent corrosion of threads holding any kind of decoration (beads, metal disks, coins) to bra cups. Lining a bra AND belt with removable felt or terry not only extends th "life" of the costume, but it stays in place a lot better than those thin acetate linings (hate those!) and I always relined at least the bra when it came time to sell it. Back then, costumes were not available on line and cost at least $400 to 600 - a lot of $ back in the '80's and working dancers really had to know how to maintain a professional level costume being danced in "x" number of times a week. Even if not a "working" dancer, it is important to know how to maintain costumes and it is cheap and easy to buy those squares of felt to prevent sweat damage and oh yes, "odor".