Louise Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I am posting this out of desperation guys and I hope one of you can suggest something I have a pair of very old curtains they were my grandmothers and are about 40 years old. More recently they were hanging in my parents house in the room my dad was allowed to smoke in They are sort of tapestry style heavy material but the pattern is in a raised velvet so they obviously aren't washable but I don't know what to do about the musty smell they have. I have had them hung for a week and it is still really bad If I have to I will get them dry cleaned but I thought I would try here for something a bit more environmet friendly first my mother said she aired them in the garden before giving them to me and the first dry windy day I get I will do the same but in the meantime I hate the smell I so want to keep them because they are gorgeous and you can't get this sort of thing now given their age the colours are amazing My dad can remember going shopping for the material as well such history Any suggestions gratefully received Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Hanging in the garden - yes! What about Febrese? I don't know how eco-friendly it is but it might work. Beating them while in the garden? That might help too! Sorry, just a few ideas, but I don't actually KNOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 I had thought about Febrteeze but i am concerned what it might do to the colour of them If I can just hang on till I get a nice windy day at the weekend It was so overcast here last weekend and there was hardly any wind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I wonder about some sort of lavender and water spray (homemade). Or any other herb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 The trouble is that you don't want to mask the smell, you need to take the smell out. I'm wondering about that good old remedy bicarb but have no experience of using it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 Me too COAM I thought there must be something natural and non damaging I can try I don't think masking it will work it is too strong maybe the washing line and carpet beater are my only option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Louise..i think the bi-carb absorbs the odor. If i were you, i'd sprinkle it on the bi-carb, leave it on a few hours, then hoover it off. I would also try a good air outside. I never tried it, but i know bi-carb is used for almost anything. Good luck, they sound lovely and worth saving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 We know though from our hair experiences that bicarb can lighten things, like lemon juice does. I would think just the powder would be all right. And if you sprinkle on and vacuum off straight away it can't have too much time to do any damage. As I said 'I know nothing' (Manuel voice!), but just had these thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 I could try bicarb on the bottom as they are too long and I am not taking them up until I have the smell sorted At least that would show me if the colour would be damaged They are gorgeous curtains a tad old fashioned but I love them I remember them from my grandparents as a child and it is nice to preserve something that my gran loved when alive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Louise - My Nan gave me her draft excluder when she had to go into a home. I'd always loved it as a child and had played with it for years at her house (it was a sauage dog type thing) Anyway, (I diverse) - that too was rather musty smelling. I tried B-carb and it did take most of the smell away, but I did end up giving it a spray with febreeze, which took the smell away completley and left no marks. I have no idea how environmentally friendly it was though. Whatever you do try it on the reverse side or at the hem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 You won't shift that smell until they are dry cleaned. It is caused by a mould and damp conditions and will be so imbedded in the fabric it will need a thorough purging, and the fungi will need to be killed off, which cleaning should do. Lots of sun shine may help but will also fade the colours. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 Oh dear maybe I should just bite the bullet and get them dry cleaned and be done with it I just assumed the smell was from the cigarettes over the years but if it may be mould Maybe they will be even prettier after as the smoking must have changed the colour as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Just get them dry-cleaned Louise, then the job is done. You can then air them regularly to keep them nice! Sometimes doing the right thing is just too hard and too much effort, especially if it doesn't work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 I saw on a website earlier soimeone was using bicarb in a sock to absorb smells by sealing the item and the sock in a sealed plastic bag for a week I might try that first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Just one sock? Why would anyone bother? The mind boggles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 It was a jacket that came back from the dry cleaners smelling a bit chemically and from what i gathered yes just one sock with bicarb in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I'm sorry, I hadn't read your post properly! I thought someone left a sock sealed in a bag with bicarb for a whole week, to get rid of the smell. I was thinking, well if it's that bad, why not buy a new pair of socks?! I missed the bit about 'the item'! Sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 16, 2006 Author Share Posted May 16, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 Just poped on for a lazy five minutes (another) . You lot are a funny lot, never a dull moment . From curtains to smelly socks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted May 16, 2006 Share Posted May 16, 2006 I saw on a website earlier soimeone was using bicarb in a sock to absorb smells by sealing the item and the sock in a sealed plastic bag for a week I might try that first How much bicarb would you need for a set of heavy curtains Loads I would think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted May 17, 2006 Author Share Posted May 17, 2006 I would have to do them individually and the material is heavy but they are not very wide so I would imagine one sock per curtain would be about right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I heard that you can use a steam cleaner on a curtain even if they are delicate or old antique fabrics. Steam is gentle and it kills off bacteria which causes the smell. I always thought steam would shrink but apparently not. It's worth looking into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I was just going to suggest steaming them..........It does take out nasty smells, but probably an expensive option if you dont already have a steam cleaner...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 How about 'Shake n Vac' probably not very green and might wreck them but it does have a catchy tune!! Or you could get Barry Scott to SHOUT at them! Sorry, not much help there was I Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I saw a steam cleaner in Woolworths the other day for £30! Not bad if you compare it to the cost of dry cleaning. Not to mention they are good for cleaning mould off tiles etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
