In which I ask for advice.

[randomling]

Okay, this is a weird thing to be writing about. And it's surprisingly hard and vulnerable for me to write about, so I'm going to ask commenters to be very gentle with me. (Please?)

I just moved house - from a room I was renting from a friend, back in with my parents'. This is basically a good for-now move because I've been so ill, and because I've essentially run out of money. (Don't worry, I'm just about afloat for now.)

And I have a specific issue.

Even when I was well, I sucked at cleaning. When I got ill, the idea of "clean" really disappeared completely. And my room stank. Well, now I've moved all my stuff back to my parents' place, and my stuff stinks. All of it, but especially the bed linen and clothes.

It's horrible.

(It's also all my own fault and I'm really hating on myself for it, but that's kind of by the by. I'm working on that part.)

Due to the "run out of money" part, there is no way in hell I can afford to just toss all my clothes and buy a new wardrobe, fun as that might be. I need to find a way to get the smell out of the clothes, and regular washing in the machine just is not doing the trick.

So, I'm appealing to my lovely friends and readers for help.

I'm not looking for people to tell me what a horrible, disgusting person I am. (Shocking!) And I'm not looking for anyone to tell me how to avoid this kind of thing in the future (it reads too much to me like criticism of what I did in the past, and I already know I did pretty crap, thanks).

But I am looking for any tips or hints you might have for getting foul smells out of fabrics which can be put in the washing machine.

Some of this bed linen belongs to my former landlady and I'd like to return it in reasonably good nick, pretty soon.

Also, I'm going on holiday with a bunch of good friends on Friday and I'd like to take some clothes with me that don't stink to high heaven.

Thanks, sweeties!

Comments

[brighton-girl.livejournal.com]

Do they have Febreeze in the UK? It really does work at getting odors out of fabrics. Also, a really strong fabric softner could help. And if that's just not available to you, try putting baking soda in with your wash. Baking soda absorbs odors (like in the fridge), so it could help. This link has a couple of other suggestions: http://www.ehow.com/way_5589200_laundry-detergent-removing-odors.html

Hope one works.

[d-floorlandmine.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is Febreze over here. Actually, ISTR that some washing things (or possibly conditioners) include it.

[bossymarmalade.livejournal.com]

Seconding the vinegar idea! It's often used to freshen things like cloth menstrual pads and diapers, and is ideal for getting musty smells out of linens.

Afterward, you can spray the sheets and anything else you're particularly concerned about with Febreeze and fold them up with dryer sheets inside.

(If you want a lot of Febreeze and don't want to spend the money, you can make your own by mixing some fabric softener [I find detergent works too if I'm out of softener] with rubbing alcohol -- the 70% kind -- and then an equal amount of water. Works like a charm, and super-cheap!)