Getting Formaldehyde Smell Out of Clothing

[Chickerdoodle13]

I saw the diesel thread and thought I might ask this lovely group of intelligent people if they have ever had to deal with formaldehyde smell on clothing and how they got it out. I just started vet school and we have lots of dissection labs. After spending so much on all the required scrubs and white lab coats, I'm hoping to be able to potentially re-use the scrubs for other things after the first semester is over. The problem is that formaldehyde just plain stinks!

Does anyone have any experience with this? I was thinking of using either vinegar or baking soda, but I wanted to know if it actually worked (I don't want to smell like a pickle either!). I've been adding pine sol to the wash and it takes away some of the smell, but I can still smell it underneath that.

I've been trying hard to just use one set of older scrubs and one white jacket so if I have to throw them out afterwards I'm not at that much of a loss!

 

[Spookwriter]

Asking your question online came up with an
answer of using powered milk in a soak and a
white vinegar rinse.

Search it up and see what you think ?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Thanks spook! I had searched online and saw a few ideas but not that one. I will definitely check it out!

My room mate said the main thing is the stains. I'm fine with having to toss my lab coat but I'd hate to toss the scrubs too!

 

[Spookwriter]

way, it's desirable to remove that gross smell before prancing around in your new duds.


1.
Fill a large sink or basin with warm water and mix in 1 cup powdered milk. Place the stinky clothing in the water and stir the water for about a minute. Then let the clothes sit in the milk-water for two to four hours.
2.
Drain the sink or basin and rinse the clothing thoroughly. Refill the sink or basin with warm water and add about 1/2 cup unscented laundry detergent. Scented laundry detergent will only mask odors and could actually make the smell even nastier.
3.
Soak the clothing in the soapy water overnight. In the morning, drain the sink and remove the clothing.
4.
Transfer the soapy clothing to the washing machine and add 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup white distilled vinegar to the wash. Set the wash cycle to normal and allow the clothing to wash normally.
5.
Odd smells in clothing can be annoying and time-consuming to remove. The washing process may have to be repeated a few times before the smell is gone. If after drying your clothing still comes out stinky, repeat steps 2 through 4 until the rubber smell has disappeared.


Read more: http://www.typef.com/article/clothes-smell-like-rubber-rid-odor/#ixzz2dZV6unkf

 

[Godsgrl]

You might try hanging the clothing outside for several days. Fresh air and sunshine might go a long way towards removing the odor.