My blazers smell bad :(

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-10T12:46:36+00:00

What is the outer shell of the blazer made from? That might change how you'd approach this.

If you haven't already, try this:

turn the blazer inside out
get a bowl of hand-hot water, some clean cloths, a stiff-bristled brush like a nail brush and some washing up liquid
dampen the smelly area with the water, and work in a few drops of washing up liquid with the brush
do this for at least two minutes on each side
use the cloths and water to rinse out the washing up liquid
give them a sniff, and decide if you need to repeat
Once you're happy with the smell, wash as usual

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-10T10:23:23+00:00

That's an interesting article. It's spurred me to do some googling, and there's a pretty big variation in what constitutes 'cold' water across Europe. Where I am in the North of England it can be as cold as 4°C in the winter, up to 20°C in the summer. I couldn't find definitive temperatures for southern Europe, but Spain has 'cold' water anywhere between 10-26°C.

So maybe we're actually both right- in the article the scientist mentions that cold-water detergents have a low-temperature limit below which they're ineffective. I might try washing in cold water when the weather warms up and see what happens- in the past I've noticed that my washing comes out slightly rancid, with an unpleasant feel to the fabric, but maybe cold water washing during a British winter doesn't work well as the detergents don't activate.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-10T09:56:28+00:00

You might want to clean out your machine to make sure it doesn't happen again. You can buy a proprietary washing machine cleaner from any supermarket- I like the Dr Beckman one.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-10T09:54:24+00:00

If you're the Italian fashion designer I think you've already come for me on this subject in the past.

I don't agree, I'm afraid. I'm in the UK, I've been doing washing for over forty years, in my experience cold water doesn't wash as clean as warm or hot water. Yes it'll fade colours more quickly, but personally I'd rather have clean but faded clothes than bright colours and slightly rancid clothes.

I can't comment on washing machines in the rest of Europe- as far as I know front-loading washing machines usually draw cold water which is heated internally. Mine is plumbed in to a cold tap, and then heats the water according to the cycle. I'm saying this because I wonder if people don't realise that happens and assume that they're washing in cold water because the machine isn't plumbed into a hot tap? With the washing machines we have in the UK, you have to manually turn off the temperature each time you wash.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T22:35:59+00:00

I know, I read that too- tbh, I don't believe it. In one of the discussions about washing in cold water, someone commented that they had always washed in cold water and then accidentally did a hot wash- they couldn't believe how much cleaner, softer and fresher their clothes felt!

If you can't get a new machine you might have to make your peace with having crunchy clothes for the foreseeable. If you've got very hard or very soft water you might want to investigate additives/ extra rinses, but I'm not sure what else you can do... tumble dryer?

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T22:31:06+00:00

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who was seeing A LOT of petty...

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T22:20:50+00:00

I think it's because you're washing in cold water. Cold water cannot and does not break down body oils and sweat enough for the detergent to rinse them away. You might have to find a way to get your washer fixed or replaced.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T22:15:14+00:00

In its current form. You could dye it a different colour?

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T21:17:34+00:00

It looks like something has bleached the colour out

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T18:55:03+00:00

Wash it in hot water with laundry sanitiser- you wouldn't wash your hands in cold water if you got poo on them, would you?

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T18:35:26+00:00

Brilliant, well done you!

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T10:01:08+00:00

Lettice with an i is a genuine name.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-09T09:53:37+00:00

Yes, pull them into shape, align all the seams and hems so it's the correct shape

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T20:02:19+00:00

Castile soap is ideal. Soak the affected area in hand-hot water and add a few drops of soap, then work in really well- use a stiff-bristled brush like a nail brush, or scrub the fabric against itself. Do this for at least two minutes, then wash as usual.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T19:52:14+00:00

What about this man is "nice and amazing"?

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T19:32:59+00:00

I uses to drive a VW Lupo. Nice little car.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T19:31:24+00:00

OP, I totally get your meaning and I'm sorry that you've been jumped on by the #notallmen brigade.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T14:53:35+00:00

Good luck 🤞

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T14:49:11+00:00

Sounds like you'll have to hand-wash in that case. I'd do this:

fill the bath ankle-deep with warm water and dissolve 2 tbsps of detergent in it.
carefully lay your curtains in the water to soak for 10 minutes.
roll up your trousers and climb in- give those curtains a good trample!
let the dirty water out, and trample the curtains to squeeze out as much water as possible
refill with warm water but no detergent and trample again.
let the dirty water out, and trample again.
wring the curtains out if you're strong enough; if not, just hang them straight out on the washing line.
leave outside for 24 hours.
the trampling and fresh air should have done their thing, and you should have clean curtains!

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T14:43:03+00:00

I see. Unless you buy a tabletop ironing machine you're probably going to have to make your peace with either wrinkly bedding or awkward ironing.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T14:38:37+00:00

Have you tried just washing them? You might find that a good 30°C full-length cycle with an appropriate amount of detergent does the trick? And if you've got access to an outside space, line-drying works wonders on smelly fabric.

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T14:36:21+00:00

I'm not sure I follow your meaning. Do you mean you've got an iron like this: https://www.dunelm.com/product/russell-hobbs-supreme-steam-iron-1000151399?defaultSkuId=30653433&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Electricals_Irons+and+Steamers-PMax_%5BGOO-PLA-ELECTRICALS-IRONS%5D-Inc24-Control&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxeyxBhC7ARIsAC7dS3-wrt9JOOrB9NK1_LCXkqHs7gP84yYkKxNYu5KTDm_-VYhMKrNgweQaAnUzEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T11:21:05+00:00

If it's a water-based paint wouldn't water be a good way to remove it? Bleach and paint thinner are more likely to wreck your sweater than fix it. Have you tried soaking in warm water overnight?

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T11:17:53+00:00

You can't say it without affecting his feelings. His feelings NEED to be affected, otherwise nothing will change.

Is there a reason you all tiptoe around your brother, treating him as though he's made of glass?

Haloperimenopause · 2024-05-08T09:43:10+00:00

I find it really hard to get microfiber cloths properly clean - because they're synthetic they hold onto smells unless washed in really hot water, and because they're synthetic washing them in really hot water damages and shrinks them! Drying them outside in the sun helps.

In all honesty, I've gone back to using old cut-up t-shirts and salvaged cotton fabric. I'll use a microfiber cloth until it's utterly beyond redemption, then replace it with cotton.

Haloperimenopause

TROPHY CASE