anyway
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Post by anyway on Oct 3, 2010 13:40:11 GMT -5
I keep a big wetbag in my kitchen to hold used dishcloths and napkins. I guess I waited too long to wash this week, and everything smells musty/mildewy. I can't get the smell out with detergent or tea tree oil.
I have some bleach but I've never used bleach for laundry. I think it will work, but how much do I use, how do I use it, etc.? I have a front-loader with every type of cycle but I'm a bit lost here.
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Post by moggyfan on Oct 3, 2010 13:46:38 GMT -5
A couple of thoughts:
Are they all white? If not, bleach strong enough to combat the odor would likely ruin them.
If detergent & tea tree oil did not get rid of odor, bleach may not either.
Finally are these expensive linens, etc.? Because if not, I would just toss them & replace.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
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anyway
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Post by anyway on Oct 3, 2010 13:51:37 GMT -5
Nope, not all white.
Nothing terribly expensive, but some nicer washcloths.
I can get a 12-pack of washcloths at wm for $4. Maybe I should just toss these and call it a day. The wetbag was kind of expensive though. Hm...
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Post by momofgirls on Oct 3, 2010 13:55:28 GMT -5
A capful of bleach should do wonders for the smell, but the colors may run.
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mmedefarge
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Post by mmedefarge on Oct 3, 2010 14:11:31 GMT -5
My kitchen laundry goes into a wire mesh wastebasket in the corner, so it gets some air circulation. But it still sometimes goes musty (heck, in the summer, sometimes the cloths get musty (or cheesy!) smelling while I'm still using them!)
I occasionally run kitchen laundry with a tot of bleach. Not all my kitchen stuff is white, and yes, it will fade colors somewhat, but it definitely takes care of musty odors.
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anyway
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Joined: January 2010
Posts: 97
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Post by anyway on Oct 3, 2010 14:16:17 GMT -5
Hm. I went to pull everything out of the washer to see what I could salvage, and whaddya know they weren't so smelly. Apparently that last TTO wash, plus sitting for about an hour in the closed washer, finally did the trick. If they're smelly when they come out of the dryer, I may just sort them into "toss" and "try to salvage" piles and go from there.
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Post by toomanyideas on Oct 3, 2010 14:17:08 GMT -5
I live in a basement apartment and have had whole boxes of clothes (handmedowns for DS to grow into) destroyed by mildew. Even after numerous washings I couldn't get it out. I had to throw it all out.
I put my wet cloths on the edge of the laundry hamper or the shower curtain rod to dry out completely before putting them in the laundry so they won't get mouldy or mildewy.
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Post by BetsyMarie on Oct 3, 2010 14:27:10 GMT -5
I'd try the bleach, then toss if it didnt work. Look on the label of your bleach bottle for instructions about amount to use for the size of your machine, and when/how to add it. I dont have a bleach dispenser so I add it when the machine is full. Not sure what you'd do with a front loader.
For my favorites for kitchen cloths that get wet are cut up synthetic blankets. They are inexpensive, work well, dry very quickly, can be washed very effectively, never fray, and get tossed whenever it seems right. Go to Walmart or K-mart (or even yard sale) and get the largest, cheapest, non-woven synthetic blanket in the color you like best, then start cutting. I prefer a size smaller than normal dish cloths, maybe 8 inches square.
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Post by blossoming on Oct 3, 2010 14:50:06 GMT -5
at thirty three cents a piece, it really is okay to toss things like that. if you feel guilty, think of how much water and time you spend trying to get them clean or just right. i keep a couple of old wash rags for cleaning, but when they go from good to icky, i just toss em. no guilt. nothing to sit and mold or make me feel worse as i can't get it completely clean. etc. there is no one in china thinking gee i wish i had her old gross wash cloth. once it gets gross, i toss it with no effort to clean it. i've finally realized IT'S NOT WORTH MY TIME  |
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Post by jodiboda on Oct 3, 2010 15:10:30 GMT -5
Believe it or not, I have found that Woolite gets out a LOT of odors, some pretty nasty ones, too.
I've not had personal experience, but I've been told numerous times that vinegar in the rinse cycle works really well, too. They come out of the washer smelling like vinegar, but once dried, they smell nice and fresh. *shrug* Like I said, I've not had personal experience, but so many others have told me about it that I believe it probably does work.
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Post by stretch on Oct 3, 2010 16:46:27 GMT -5
Vinegar, vinegar, vinegar. I use it with every load to brighten and freshen. If your washer has a bleach receptacle (usually a hole in the front right corner on toploaders) you can just pour a quarter to a half cup of white vinegar in there when you start the wash. Otherwise, just remember or set a timer to add it during the rinse.
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Post by messymimi on Oct 3, 2010 16:56:37 GMT -5
I hang them to dry as I use them, right over the edge of the bin I gather them in.
Then, when I wash, whether they say I should or not, I wash with detergent, and add beach halfway through the wash cycle. After that, I add vinegar to the rinse. Takes care of any odors.
messymimi
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anyway
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Post by anyway on Oct 3, 2010 16:56:39 GMT -5
Man I forgot to try vinegar this time! Vinegar is usually my first choice but I kind of panicked with the overwhelming smell this time. Ah well they came out ok.
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