I have a bunch of “really stupid” projects right now. Not stupid in their intent, or in their theoretical possibility for either (1) amazing thrift or (2) amazing aesthetic achievement. Stupid because they are not going well, and they look like they may end up as time- and money-pits that get tossed, and they have taken over my house. Above: Stupid Project #2, I bought a king-sized quilted bedspread at an estate sale recently. I “just” needed to wash it.
WARNING: The word “just”, used in sentences thus, should be banned from the English language.
Quilted king-sized bedspreads are hard to come by, especially in patterns. I liked this sunny pattern. I’ll say it’s not midcentury — more like 80s or 90s — but it works for me and what the heck, I paid next to nothing for it. No one else was gonna go for it. It looked … ahem, dirty. I “just” needed to clean it.
So I brought the bedspread home, where it sat a clump in my bedroom for a good … three weeks … reminding me to work on it. Finally, over the past week, I made time to patch the back side where the lining was holey and revealed the fluffy middle stuff. I thought: If I wash it with the fluffy middle stuff open, the fluffy middle stuff will pill out.
Finally, with patching complete, it was time to wash the monster.
I needed to get rid of both dirt — and smells. I had recently read this story — fascinating! — about the chemistry of odors and how to try to remove them. Based on the story’s recommendations, I bought some Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap / almond (affiliate link) with hopes it would get at both dirt and odors.
Then, off to the laundromat to use their large machine. Gulp: $7 to use the big machine! I have been out of touch with the cost of laundromats. I spent $16.50 and nearly two hours.
Did the dirt come out? Did the smells come out?
I ended up doing two hot-water washes.
On the first wash: The decorative side — which seems to be made out of a sheet-weight cotton, or cotton-poly blend — looked pretty darned good. The back side lining, though, still did not look clean, it was definitely still yellowed. I surmised: The thing was so big that once the agitator got going and the bedspread started to clump and spin like a big burrito, the inside spots could not get as clean as the outside areas.
Second wash — hot water again: I phumphed the thing to get the dirty side “out” and washed it again. After a second washing, the back side looked… better … maybe. I was wary of washing the thing again until I could completely dry it and take a closer look. Plus, bored. That is part of my Project-itis: Too easily bored by one, start another, slow to finish any. The bedspread is now at home draped all over weebit’s bedroom to fully air dry.
I wonder: Is the discoloration on the lining-side sun rot, rather than dirt? This could be the case, as the deterioration of the back-side lining was consistent with sun rot I’ve seen on the back side of lined curtains. I’m thinking: Perhaps the previous owners had the bedspread folded and sitting in the sun for a long while?
Or: Maybe the lining fabric just aged and yellowed more easily than sheeting on the front? Could be. The lining was more… fragile. It was lighter than muslin; not tightly woven.
Regarding eliminating the odors: The bedspread is still drying, so I don’t know yet. My husband is a super-smeller, so after the bedspread is completely dry, I will set him to this honey-do. This will problematic, though, because I don’t think he’s too thrilled about the prospect of sleeping under someone else’s previously-stinky bedspread, no matter how much I promise I cleaned it. As a result, he may not be able to test-smell objectively. I am going to guess there are lots of readers in my husband’s camp — horrified, repulsed, etc. at sleeping under vintage coverlets. Not me, though. I fall into the other camp, “If it’s clean, who cares?”
Emphasis on: “If it’s clean.” I’m about $40 and five hours into a quilted bedspread that may or may not be “clean”. Indeed, putting the thing on the bed to take the photos I see two stains that look like they would come out easily with a stain stick. And we’ll see what Mr. D.H. Nose says.
I’ll report back. I tend to think that (1) a super duper odor eliminator product and (2) another trip to the laundromat are in my near future. Or in another month, when I get to it. Before it all goes in the dumpster.
Pat says
I use Clorox 2 powder for linens that I buy at thrift stores. It has sodium percarbonate as the first listed ingredient. Using the hottest water from the faucet I dissolve the powder in a bucket and put my linens in to soak, usually for a day or so. Then wash and dry. Not only does it usually remove the stains, it brightens the colors.
Diana says
Vinegar and water soak, rinse and dry. Followed by regular wash. Gets musty odor out all the time.
Any ideas for getting smoke smell out of fabric?
Karen says
As I read this, a skunk has been disturbed in my yard. Now that’s an odor;)
Sandra Kallander says
No, not the dumpster! If these great suggestions don’t work, many animal shelters need bedding. At least get a warm feeling for all your labor and hours of watching the washer spin.
Pam Kueber says
Thanks for that tip! I have not given up yet, I am going to try at least one of these tips from readers!
Henrik Rasmussen says
Something dirty, and smelly
It’s not about how many times you wash, its the soaking
Use you bathtub as a soaking tub. Leave it there for at least 3 days or if still spotted, give it a full week.
I soak dirty rags – linen napkins for a week. Soaking time is less hard on the linen, than spot bleach, or scrubbing. Sunshine is good, but fades the color
Jamie says
Soak in a hot water bath of oxyclean and biz detergent for a couple of days, rinse well and hang in the sun. I’ve yet to see a stain that won’t succumb to that process although the soaking may have to be done multiple times over several days each time.
Kate Garrenson says
I just used Thornell LOE (Laundry Odor Eliminator) on several loads of laundry: one load of dog bedding (fuzzy blankies) with fresh dog diarrhea on it (dog is okay now, got probiotics from vet); one load of dog bedding (sheets) languishing on a shelf that a stinkbug died in; one load of dog bedding (mixed sheets and blankies, just regular dog laundry). All had various levels of old and new stains and odors, all had already been washed twice with no success.
The LOE is miraculous. I wish I could work for the company, it’s that good. Add it to the washload and you can still use your regular detergent, brightener, softener, bleach, etc. Everything comes out smelling amazingly fresh and all old stains are either gone or barely noticeable. I added too much to the first load and thought oh no, it’s going to smell too strong for the dogs, but nope, after drying, the lingering scent fades to almost nothing but a hint of freshness.
For your bedspread, I’d say fill the tub, add the LOE (an ounce or half-ounce), hand-agitate the water to spread it around, and let the bedspread soak for a good long while. Then somehow wring it out as best you can (I know, hand-squeezing water out of a king-sized bedspread, yikes), and take it for a regular wash and dry again.
The LOE didn’t damage, spot, or change the color or feel of any fabric I used it on: synthetics and cotton. I got it on AmazonSmile for about $20. I also bought their OdorMed spray and used it on the other poop spots on some area rugs, and it worked immediately. Those spots were where she couldn’t control her illness and the liquid poop went straight through the rugs and onto the hardwood floors. All rugs (each one synthetic but of different manufacture and colors and patterns) are perfect again, and so are the floors beneath.
Thornell makes SkunkOff, which got me started on this whole journey (aside from the poop!). I will never be without their products around the house again.
Laurie says
I use >liquid< OxyClean to wash stinky stuff… especially dog blankets and beds. Gets the smell out really well.
I also use it for anything white as it helps clean pretty well. Like all my white towels and washcloths. They get kinda grey looking over time using our well water. A couple of washes using the OxyClean has them white again and leaves a nice, very light scent.
Cindy L. says
Forgot to mention… read the PDF on safety.
Here’s the direct page about washing bedding.
http://www.mistermax.com/cloth-furniture-bedding-drapes
Cindy L. says
Hi Pam,
There’s only one product I can highly recommend… Anti-icky-poo by MisterMax.
http://www.mistermax.com
It was specifically created for textiles / fabrics. I’ve used it to remove pet odor.
My DH and I own and operate a Mobile Dog Grooming business. I wash towels every week using a front loading Sears Kenmore washing machine with a Sanitation cycle (3-hour cycle) …the water gets up to 350-degrees.
I put a small amount of Anti-icky-poo and ECOS Lavender liquid soap and that gets the smell of wet dog, skunked dogs, and urine out.
There’s a “bleach only” cycle to clean it before using the washer for our clothes again. 🙂
Anti-icky-poo has live enzymes and that’s the difference between it and anything else. I’ve used Nature’s Miracle but no comparison to Anti-icky-poo! I’m not a fan of vinegar… I can still smell vinegar afterwards.
I don’t know if your at home Washer has a Sanitation cycle —it’s going to be a newer model high end Washer. If you do, it’s probably safe to wash at home after 2 washings at the laundromat.
Good luck!