DawnM Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 I posted to our freebie group that I was going to be visiting an orphanage this summer and asked for donations. One mom enthusiastically gave me a huge garbage bag full of clothing. Welp, after 5 min. in the car I knew I was going to have to toss them. They reeked of heavy, heavy cigarette smoke. I took them home and washed them on heavy duty with detergent and vinegar and they came out only mildly better smelling. They are headed to the garbage. I hate that, but I don't know what else to do. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 It's the tar and nicotine sticking to the clothes. If you want to salvage, put them in a soak with a lot of vinegar or Oxiclean to loosen it all up before washing, not the vinegar in the wash. I might add a bit of Dawn to it as well. Oldest ds struggled with some detergents. We'd have to soak, then wash, then wash with baking soda. I stopped going to thrift store for their clothes because it was just so much to do before he could wear them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartstrings Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Before you toss them try the new Downy Rinse and Refresh (that sounds like an ad 🤦♀️). I’ve been really impressed with it, it’s suppose to work like concentrated vinegar. I don’t know about that but it really seems to help smells. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Yes to an oxyclean soak. Another option might be TSP—the real stuff (seems like it mixes up pink), not the new stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Do you think something like Clorox Laundry Sanitizer might work? (Lysol makes it, too, but I have never tried that brand.) The only thing with the sanitizer is that it has a pretty strong smell of its own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartstrings Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 50 minutes ago, Catwoman said: Do you think something like Clorox Laundry Sanitizer might work? (Lysol makes it, too, but I have never tried that brand.) The only thing with the sanitizer is that it has a pretty strong smell of its own. I’ve used that and like it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 17 Author Share Posted March 17 Thanks guys, but the clothing wasn't even in great condition. They are all in the trash now. I have had some asthma issues since they came into my house and I am not messing with them anymore. I hate cigarette smoke! 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 After our experience starting a charity focused on asylum seekers and refugees, I totally understand how donations can definitely be the second wave of any disaster. The amount of time it required to sort through donations and what was useful was a LOT. It was pretty overwhelming. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 14 hours ago, Terabith said: After our experience starting a charity focused on asylum seekers and refugees, I totally understand how donations can definitely be the second wave of any disaster. The amount of time it required to sort through donations and what was useful was a LOT. It was pretty overwhelming. People get SO offended when I point that out. When we had fires up here, a local homeschool group started collecting all sorts of donations, including stuffed animals. I tried to temper it but then I became the bad guy because they were “just trying to help.” 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 On 3/17/2024 at 5:16 PM, Terabith said: After our experience starting a charity focused on asylum seekers and refugees, I totally understand how donations can definitely be the second wave of any disaster. The amount of time it required to sort through donations and what was useful was a LOT. It was pretty overwhelming. True, and several who said they would deliver have not done it. And I have people wanting to donate things like a Monopoly game! For special ed kids with cognitive disabilities, who don't necessarily speak much English, can't count or read.......sigh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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