Thread: getting rid of bad smell in a costume??

Hi,
i bought a beautiful sim moda evi from the swapmeet and it is gorgeous. Has a choli style top. The problem is, it smells i presume from the previous owner. I have washed it twice in woolite but while it smells better, there is still an odor. It is a velvet costume in case that matters and light french blue. Any ideas? I'm afraid to wreck the color under the arms so figure i would ask here first before I try anything else.. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
kebbie

Originally Posted by kebbie

Hi,
i bought a beautiful sim moda evi from the swapmeet and it is gorgeous. Has a choli style top. The problem is, it smells i presume from the previous owner. I have washed it twice in woolite but while it smells better, there is still an odor. It is a velvet costume in case that matters and light french blue. Any ideas? I'm afraid to wreck the color under the arms so figure i would ask here first before I try anything else.. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
kebbie

I've been lucky enough not to run into this problem, but i know people who have. I'm told that mixing vodka with water and spraying the costume will help, doesn't stain.

Good luck!

thanks, i will try it tomorrow...

If you don't mind chemicals, Febreze Sport has helped me if the vodka and water trick hasn't worked.

Also, I've washed costumes in washing powder and that has helped to remove smells - woolite never seems to do it for me.

Try searching bhuz to on washing costumes, and you'll get a lot of suggestions too.

This article on my web site has some ideas:

Removing Odors from Smelly Belly Dance Costumes

Not a major fan of Fabreeze sport here. I have used the spray and the laundry detergent. It is super convenient, but the stink seems to come back and it has a scent that can be annoying. Well, at least on my husnand's stinky workout and soccer clothes. I am currently adding Nature's Miracle washing machine detergent, which seems not perfect but better, whithout the lingering chemical smell. I swear by NM for cat pee and spraying, it's name is an understatement :-) I'd also look at enzyme cleaners for wetsuits, if necessary - from what I was told, they are the pinnacle of stinky garments.

Maybe replacing the lining would help, and you could try the vodka or enzymes on the under-lining while it is removed.

I had purchased a used velvet set that first reeked of perfume when I opened the box, but than after about a day that wore off and it smelled so badly of B.O. that I couldn't be in the same room as it, never mind dance in it. I have washed other sets but was afraid to wash the velvet, so I removed the lining, filled a tupperware container with baking soda, laid a few paper towels over it so it didn't actually touch the set, and let it sit all sealed up for months. When I finally couldn't smell it when opening the lid, I relined it and made my alterations, but I was worried that when I danced it in the smell might resurface. Its been danced in a few times since then, and so far so good!

I would be really tempted to try Knock Out on a badly stinky costume. We bought Knock Out for the litter boxes when one of our old cats... er... you get the idea. But we didn't use it much on fabric. If I ever make the experiment I'll post about it here.

Odorless Odor Eliminator at KnockOutOdors.com

My friend who was involved with a soldier/state cop for a long time turned me on to VestGuard...its what they use to get odor out of their bullet-proof vests and other things unwashable. It usually works, and I've noticed no stainging. Of course, to be safe, I'd stick to the inner linings.

thanks everyone, appreciate the suggestions. Havent tried any yet (day job work got crazy!) but hoping to today...
Kebbie

I've never had anything as smelly as delite describes, but I use little cloth bags of baking soda, placed strategically in the armpits, bra cups, and belt, plus a few drops of lavender oil on several cotton balls. Seal in an airtight container and check after a few days - usually removes the body odor and leaves the fresh scent of lavender.

ETA: also, hanging the costume outdoors in a protected area to air out for several days (you can bring it in at night) before using the baking soda/lavender oil trick helps, too.

Originally Posted by dunyah

I use little cloth bags of baking soda, placed strategically in the armpits, bra cups, and belt, plus a few drops of lavender oil on several cotton balls.

Dunya, can you suggest a source for the cloth bags?

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Dunya, can you suggest a source for the cloth bags?

I use small scraps of fabric tied-up with a rubber band or twist-tie.

Originally Posted by showtime

I use small scraps of fabric tied-up with a rubber band or twist-tie.

Me, too, or socks.

I´ve had success with active coal odour absorbers placed with smelly costumes.

Those products seems to be avaliable in the US when I googled,like this one:
Footwear Odor - Shoe Odor - Sports Odor -Locker Odor - Fragrance Free | Innofresh Products Inc.


Good luck!

I've tried the cat litter method before, I don't think that worked.

I also think the key is to try 1 method at a time